Dec 8, 2014: Invited Speaker: Safety and Security Issues in Rail-Truck Intermodal Transportation

Dr. Manish Verma
Associate Professor, McMaster University  

Monday, December 8, 2014, 4:00
Room EV003.309

Abstract

Intermodality, a system of interconnected networks involving combinations of transportation modes, ensures seamless and efficient freight movement. Rail-truck intermodal transportation –involving rail-haul operation by intermodal trains, and drayage by trucks –has experienced phenomenal growth since 1980 and plays a vital role in the economic growth of North America. It is not surprising that most of the investigations have focused on efficient freight flow. We make the case for two possible threads of research within the rail-truck intermodal transportation domain, viz. safety and security issues. The first stream of research investigates questions surrounding the planning and management of hazardous materials shipments such as gasoline, propane, etc. The second stream, on the other hand, endeavours to minimize the damage (or loss) associated with man-made threats such as terrorist attack. The research seminar will outline some of the engagements of the presenter (and his colleagues), and then conclude with possible research questions.

Biography

Manish Verma is an Associate Professor in the Operations Management Area at the DeGroote School of Business at McMaster University. He has a PhD in Operations Management from Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University. His current research interests are multimodal transportation of dangerous goods, risk assessment and management, network design and planning issues in transportation, global logistics, and green supply chain management. His research engagements have been supported by individual NSERC Discovery Grants, and a team SSHRC Standard Research Grant.