Transportation Issues for Supply Chain Management

Since the popularization of Just-In-Time (JIT) practices in the 1980's, companies have worked to reduce inventory levels and lower overall production costs. JIT programs have had a positive impact on manufacturing and service processes, and the success has also altered the transportation industry. The transportation of goods to and from organizations is a vital link in the JIT process. This paper examines the four primary transportation modes: trucking, rail, water and air.