Transport Partnership
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
Intermodal Shipping
A Glance at Clean Freight Strategies
Intermodal freight transport combines the best attributes of both truck and
rail shipping. For long distances, intermodal freight moves can cut fuel use and
greenhouse gas emissions, compared to truck-only moves.
What is the challenge?
Moving freight long distances by rail rather than by truck can save fuel and reduce green-
house gas emissions. This is because a freight train with 20 to 50 railroad cars can carry
much more cargo per gallon of diesel fuel than can a combination truck. However, trucks can
usually offer more service and scheduling options than trains. Because of these distinctions,
trucks move over four times as much freight as rail.
Increased business competition and international trade is fueling the growth of intermodal
freight transport. The total number of trailers and containers shipped by intermodal rail grew
by nearly 33 percent between 1998 and 2008.
What is the solution?
Railroad freight cars carry cargo over long distance, high volume corridors. Trucks or barges
move the loads between the rail terminals and the cargo's ultimate origin or destination.
Types of Intermodal Shipping
Trailer on flat car, commonly called TOFC, or "piggyback." In a TOFC move, reinforced
truck trailers mount on railroad flat cars or spine cars (frame-like cars with a middle bar or
spine) for the rail leg of the trip, and hook to combination trucks for the rest of the trip.
Container on flat car or COFC uses metal shipping containers on a railroad flat car or
spine car for the rail part of the trip. Containers are typically loaded onto a container
chassis (a frame-like truck trailer) for the trucked leg of the trip.
Double stacking is the most efficient way to move containers long distances over land.
Two stacked containers on a railroad well car (a rail car with a "well" into which the bot-
tom container partly sits) is known as double stack service. Double stack railroad well
cars may be permanently coupled together to decrease stress and cargo damage during
train braking and acceleration.
t)
1.
D
^
^
i
r
\ Shippers, logistics
providers, and trucking
companies can consider
intermodal transportas a
cost-saving and environ-
mentally friendly option
when arranging for long
distance transport.
2 Companies can de-
termine if intermodal
transport is appropri-
ate for parts of their
company. Intermodal
transport may not
be suitable for all
goods. Time-sensitive
products may require
speedier or more flex-
ible delivery than some
railroads offer.
•
2 Continued...
Damage-sensitive
commodities may call
for a smoother ride
than freight trains can
provide. However, rail
car manufacturers are
introducing advanced
suspension systems
and car designs that
better stabilize, cush-
ion and protect railed
cargo.
SmartWay Transport | EPA^120-F09-039 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov
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Intermodal Shipping
Technological Advances of Intermodal Shipping
Truck trailers can be configured to travel on railroad tracks. The trailer is backed onto the end of a railroad track,
positioned over two sets of railroad axles and wheels (called bogeys), then lowered and attached, so it functions
as a railroad car.
Rail car platforms can be configured into one longer articulated platform, onto which trucks can drive to load and
unload trailers. Because the long, articulated platform has no slack action, it can handle standard, non-reinforced
trailers that normally cannot be used in TOFC operation
Savings and Benefits
Intermodal transport is an attractive option for shipments over 500 miles. A freight train emits two-thirds less green-
house gas emissions for every ton mile than a typical truck. More than 1 billion gallons of fuel would be saved each
year if 10 percent of the highway freight was moved by rail.
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SmartWay Transport | EPA-420-F09-039 | www.epa.gov/smartway | 734-214-4767 | smartway_transport@epa.gov
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