Guidebook for Assessing Evolving International Container Chassis Supply Models (2012)

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Guidebook for Assessing Evolving International Container Chassis Supply Models | NCFRP Report 20 | 69 Validation of Guidebook Findings and Conclusions In addition to the review function provided by the NCFRP Project 43 panel, the findings and conclusions in this Guidebook were validated with a wide range of relevant stakeholder groups, including ocean carriers, BCOs, terminal operators, motor carriers, ch assis leasing companies, chassis pool operators, labor unions, public planners, and policy maker s. Close to 200 individuals participated in the validation process. The validation process included both informal feedback on the Guidebook, as well as formal responses to two questionnaires—the first following a Webinar on the NCFRP Project 43 findings, and a second after the release of the draft Guidebook itself. On the whole, the vast majority of stakeholders that participated in the validation process supported the study results and findings. Specific validation results from the more comprehensive Guidebook questionnaire are as follows: Close to 90% of respondents rate the Guidebook as “very useful” (51%) or “useful” (37%) in describing ocean container supply models in the U.S. and related issues and implications. Over 90% of respondents rated the factual accuracy of the Guidebook as “Excellent” (31%) or “Good” (60%). 84% of respondents found the Guidebook fair and representativ e of all chassis supply models (with the balance indicating “not sure”). Of the various stakeholder perspectives presented in Chapter 5, close to 90% of those that expressed an opinion agreed that the expressed advantages and disadvantages of the alternative chassis supply models were reasonably accurate (32% noted neither agreement or disagreement). There was also broad agreement with the study’s main conclusions, as summarized in the survey results below.

70 NCFRP Report 20 | Guidebook for Assessing Evolving International Container Chassis Supply Models | 70 Survey Results Source: Results of post-NCFRP Project 43 Guidebook validation questionnaire (Questions 22–27), as compiled by the researchers. In short, though there are certainly differences of opinion about the future evolution of chassis supply models in the U.S., there is broad support that the NCFRP Project 43 Guidebook (NCFRP Report 20) provides a useful reference document on the evolution of ocean container chassis supply in the U.S. and the implications for chassis supply stakeholders. Over 70 percent of stakeholders nevertheless “strongly agree” or “agree” that more research would be useful at the regional level to better understand chassis supply issues and dynamics and better inform decisions with respect to chassis supply at the regional level. Strongly Disagree Disagree Strongly Agree Agree Neither Agr ee Nor Disagr ee 3.2% 9.7% 9.7% 6.5% 9.7% 3.2% 22.6% 25.8% 19.4% 6.5% 19.4% 25.8% 41.9% 41.9% 25.8% 54.8% 38.7% 35.5% 22.6% 32.3% 45.2% 32.3% 32.3% 35.5% Established BCO logistics practices, including the drop and hook operations, as well as chassis pool arrangements, and wheeled terminal operations will preclude a rapid and wholesale change to chassis supply and management. The heterogeneous nature of the chassis supply landscape will result in the evolution of chassis supply practices on a regional rather than a national basis. No one faction will control or single- handedly influence the direction of the chassis supply transition in the U.S.— future evolution will be the result of the interplay of various stakeholder interests, influences, and regions. In the short to medium term, chassis supply models in the U.S. will likely continue to evolve toward pooling, in one form or another. Public policy and planning organizations should conduct outreach efforts to identify evolving chassis supply issues with private-sector stakeholders throughout the transition. Additional research, at a regional level, would be useful to inform regional stakeholders of regional chassis suppl y issues and related dynamics.