Contingency Motor Carrier Transportation in a Deregulated Environment

摘要

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the Motor Carrier Act (MCA) of 1980 on the ability of USAF cargo shipping agencies to expedite shipments under contingency conditions. In addition to the primary focus, the study also examined whether certain characteristics of the subset of for-hire motor carriers of property for the DOD corresponded to the aggregate industrial trends. To determine the impact of the MCA on the service shippers, the study evaluated the process of contracting cargo shipments. The study examined the two basic rate categories for making shipments, LTL and TL. The process of contracting a shipment differs for LTL or TL. The process of contracting a shipment differs for LTL or TL loads under existing guidance. While the shipping process operates reasonably well under peacetime conditions, a low level conflict or declared mobilization could present problems for service shippers based on changes in the motor carrier industry since the MCA. HQ MTMC data was analyzed for differences between two periods, pre-MCA and post-MCA. The nonparametric analyses examined the number of carriers seeking DOD shipments; the number of distinct carriers who actually performed shipments for the DOD; and the number of carriers who discontinued DOD service. A final analysis examined whether the total for-hire motor carrier population differed significantly between the two eras.