This course demonstrates the 21st century importance of strategic transportation and logistics planning in contributing to corporate profits, customer service enhancements leading to higher sales and a marketing weapon to gain sustainable competitive advantage. The importance of moving information becomes equal to the movement of goods. Managerial perspectives are offered on aligning corporate planning, technology, financial controls and logistics performance measurement. We will also gain an overview on the interaction among stakeholders in the public and private sectors in aligning public policy with global uncertainties.

This course aligns transportation management with a comprehensive overview of intermodal transportation and logistics management. We will look at recent trends in the field and its important stakeholders. Business logistics/supply chain will be viewed from managerial perspectives impacting physical distribution, materials management, transportation management, and logistics and supply chain management. The course covers the planning, organizing, and controlling of these activities including sub-activities such as transportation basics, inventory and location strategies.

The course provides the student with a coherent and integrated framework, based on micro and macro economic principles, for understanding aggregate transportation activity. Issues include: regulation, tariffs, interstate commercial policy, international trade, and transportation exchange rates.

This course examines the United States and worldwide commercial freight transportation systems, with an emphasis on international intermodal surface transportation. Modal/intermodal economic and operating characteristics will be surveyed, along with cost, pricing, and regulation of transportation services. In addition, students will be introduced to electronic data interchange (EDI) in commercial transportation and the use of computer software applications in transportation management—all with the goal of providing students with an in-depth understanding of the principles of intermodal transportation systems, a grasp of transportation terminology, and the interrelationship between the Defense Transportation System (DTS) and the global commercial transportation infrastructure.

An in-depth look at the workings of maritime port operations and intermodal transportation systems. Course topics include the governance and administration of ports and marine terminals, the role of regulatory agencies, navigation and safety, port operations and development including the process to fund and carry out dredging projects. Cargo handling for containers and dry and liquid bulk operations will be discussed along with a look at productivity of terminal operations. Comparisons will be made with other regions of the world. A review of major steamship lines, their trading patterns and future trends among the industry will be covered along with technological advances in vessels and terminal operating equipment. A strong emphasis will be placed on current issues in port policy.

This course provides an understanding of leading-edge logistics management, as well as principles and techniques available to achieve optimum operational efficiencies. Topics include: development of logistics, logistical economic significance, the importance of logistics management in transportation operations, application of supply chain management concepts, role of information systems, elements and management of global logistics, distinctions and characteristics of international versus domestic logistics, global transportation options, traffic management, global transportation decision-making, management of inventory costs, measurement and control of integrated logistics systems, and development of effective world-wide logistics strategies.