Introduction
Today’s world is never the same, and new achievements in business, technology, transportation, education, or trade are inevitable. Regarding current trends such as globalization, international trade, and unlimited interpersonal connection, intermodal transportation plays an important role in modern business. Some organizations introduce new tracking devices to transport goods in containers safely, and some prefer to use the already offered ideas and achieve positive results. The delivery of goods from different parts of the world becomes available within short deadlines, and people enjoy the privilege of tracking their packages any time they need. Tracking devices are based on the Global Positioning System (GPS) or the Radio Frequency Identification System (RFID) and include magnetic or locking mechanisms, tags, sensors, and identity document (ID) cards. Despite increased prices on services and the importance of specialized training and education, new tracking devices improve interpretational intermodal transportation by increasing safety, productivity, confidence, and theft recovery.
The Essence of International Intermodal Transportation
The number of opportunities for all citizens continues to grow respectfully due to the current technological progress. People find it beneficial to develop international relationships, exchange ideas and services at different levels, and use products, neglecting long distances. However, in any case, certain conditions should be discussed to explain the main aspects of international intermodal transportation of goods. In a general sense, intermodal transportation is a process which two or more different shipping models are applied to deliver freight to the chosen destination model (Monios & Bergqvist, 2017). Today, many models are used in logistics, depending on providers, recipients, and physical characteristics of goods. Goods and products may be sent by trains, locomotives (rail transport), ships and coastal vessels, or aircraft modes. There are many ways to wrap objects, depending on their preferences, delivery standards, and other safety issues to be considered by logisticians. Intermodal transportation includes trailers, wagons, containers, and other loading units. Some vessels may spend weeks in ports to be unloaded and transferred to another transportation mode (Monios & Bergqvist, 2017). In most intermodal operations, several carriers take responsibility for particular models and give bills separately.
New Container Tracking Devices
Regardless of the chosen method of intermodal transportation, a tendency to use similar tracking devices exists. Domestic and international intermodal industries were deprived of safe tracking systems for a long period. Sometimes, it was impossible to meet deadlines, cooperate with several carriers simultaneously, or check the status of containers. Not many people agreed to use the services of different companies because of multiple requirements and unpredictable conditions. Nowadays, most problems and unclear situations have been solved due to new container tracking devices that are used to check location, monitor conditions, and analyze data-powered insights (“How new container tracking devices will improve international intermodal transport,” 2019). These ideas have already changed the logistics industry and helped carrier companies organize activities that appeal to most customers. People ask questions about the quality of services and obtain professional explanations to follow their packages from different cities. The only condition that is commonly mentioned is access to the Internet.
Asset location technologies may have different purposes, but most of them are understood through the prism of GPS and RFID. GPS devices use signal processors to calculate positioning, while RFID devices use readers to transmit signals. In both cases, special equipment is attached to place a tracker on a package or a wagon (any other transportation mode) where a package is located. As soon as some movement is recognized, new information is sent to the user. Sensors and tags are new devices that promote the visibility of transformation means, making it possible for cargo companies to track and control all logistics activities. As part of the GPS platform, sensors produce signals, and the object’s actual location is clarified. ID cards are also necessary for this logistic circle because they prove or disprove the freight condition and facilitate adjustment and alarming processes.
Positive and Negative Aspects of Tracking in International Intermodal Transportation
Understanding the purposes and major characteristics of container tracking devices may explain improvements and challenges for the intermodal transportation of goods. On the one hand, any new technological advancement has its price, and tracking services are hardly cheap. In addition, clients and customers need to install specific programs and apps to make sure they can track their containers during single intermodal transportation. Not all individuals are aware of how to use and implement tracking devices, meaning that training and education are required. Logistics clusters are different in developed and developing countries, and the governments pay attention to different aspects, namely education, licensing, safety, variety, or productivity (Monios & Bergqvist, 2017). Different international backgrounds in the transportation industry could become a challenge that reduces chances for enhancement and causes new problems.
On the other hand, the benefits of tracking devices usually attract millions of people worldwide, and the progress of logistics services is the main evidence in this research. Magnetic and locking mechanisms are preferred for long distances to promote safety and quality of services. Security with tracking devices is the type of improvement with which any party wins and enjoys the offered intermodal service (“How new container tracking devices will improve international intermodal transport,” 2019). International transportation of goods undergoes positive changes because logistic companies and customers can track their freights and follow the same guidelines within credible systems. As a result, the productivity of companies will be increased as they get a chance to focus on many tasks and responsibilities at the same time. Downtime may be decreased, and insurance rates grow because people see what happens to their orders. The level of confidence in services is high due to improved collaboration between customers and employees. When additional questions occur, discussing a situation, finding a product, and giving all the necessary explanations is easy.
Finally, the benefits of container tracking devices are related to their novelty and the possibility to predict thefts and other frauds in the logistics industry. Prevention of vandalism and damage helps create a solid image of services at the international level (Monios & Bergqvist, 2017). Tracking devices allow for controlling the environment and informing the responsible party about the required modifications and additional attention to a product.
Conclusion
New container tracking devices will improve international intermodal transportation in a variety of ways. People need to know that they pay for high-quality work and expect the best options, regardless of their geographical location and needs. The sphere of logistics includes multiple tasks and services, and the implementation of new trackers is an opportunity to increase safety, confidence, and productivity and significantly minimize theft-related cases.
References
How new container tracking devices will improve international intermodal transport of good. (2019). e2Link.
Monios, J., & Bergqvist, R. (2017). Introduction. In J. Monios & R. Bergqvist (Eds.), Intermodal freight transport and logistics (pp. 3-15). CRC Press.