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Resilience of U.S. Rail Intermodal Freight during the Covid-19 Pandemic
Joseph L Schofer1, Hani S Mahmassani2, Max T M Ng2
1Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
Research in Transportation Business & Management
|April 15, 2024
Summary
The US freight industry, particularly railroads, adapted to COVID-19 demand shifts. Despite external choke points, the rail sector proved resilient and essential for pandemic supply chain continuity.
Area of Science:
- Supply Chain Management
- Transportation Logistics
- Pandemic Response
Background:
- The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted US freight and manufacturing starting March 2020.
- Shifting consumer behavior towards online shopping intensified supply chain pressures.
- The freight industry experienced initial decline followed by a rapid demand rebound, necessitating swift adaptation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the US rail industry's response to the demand whiplash caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- To characterize the multi-actor intermodal supply chain's performance during the pandemic.
- To identify key challenges and assess the rail industry's role in pandemic resilience.
Main Methods:
- Utilized US intermodal activity data for quantitative analysis.
- Conducted in-depth interviews with key stakeholders across the supply chain (railroads, carriers, shippers, etc.).
- Synthesized data to provide a comprehensive overview of the intermodal logistics system.
Main Results:
- The rail industry demonstrated significant adaptability in meeting fluctuating consumer and business demands.
- External choke points, beyond the rail sector's control, complicated supply chain responses.
- The study identified the rail industry as a critical element in maintaining pandemic resilience.
Conclusions:
- The rail industry was essential for US pandemic resilience, adapting effectively to demand volatility.
- The complexity of the intermodal supply chain was highlighted, with external factors impacting performance.
- The research accurately predicted ongoing supply chain disruptions post-initial pandemic impacts.
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