The Rahall Transportation Institute and the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at Marshall University of Huntington, WVA has begun a large-scale, intermodal shipping and receiving operations feasibility study to benefit the Appalachian Region.
"Intermodal shipping is a valuable tool for retaining and attracting companies to ensure a solid economic future," says Patrick J.Donovan, RTI Director, Maritime & Intermodal Transportation. "The economy of our region depends on reliable, economical transportation for businesses to compete. Multi-modal, multi-functional terminals and intermodal trans-loading facilities are essential for our region."
RTI and CBER are completeing this work in support of the statewide intermodal and multimodal transportation partnership project with the West Virgina Public Port Authority.
More than 2,600 surveys were mailed to shipping and operations companies throughout the Appalachian Region.
"The assistance of participants is greatly appreciated and necessary to make this a meaningful survey. Information will be used to estimate immediate transportation needs and project demand for the future."
For more information about participation or to receive research results from this study, contact Patrick J. Donovan at (304) 696-2906 or pdonovan@njrati.org, or Dr. Junwook Chi at (304) 696-3311 or jchi@njrati.org.
Additional participants may complete the 15-minute survey online by clicking here.
Participation is voluntary, and results will be used to estimate immediate transportation needs and project demand for the future. To protect the privacy of participants, individual results will not be revealed and statistics will be reported in summary form only.
Marshall University Conducting Appalachian Multimodal/Intermodal Transport Needs Survey
The Rahall Transportation Institute and the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at Marshall University of Huntington, WVA has begun a large-scale, intermodal shipping and receiving operations feasibility study to benefit the Appalachian Region
More Fleet Management

Deadline Extended for HDT Truck Fleet Innovators Nominations
Heavy Duty Trucking has extended the deadline for nominations for its Truck Fleet Innovators awards. The deadline has been extended to May 22.
Read More →
Supreme Court Ruling Puts Freight Broker Vetting Practices in Spotlight
The unanimous SCOTUS ruling in the closely watched Montgomery v. Caribe case allows state negligence claims against freight brokers that hire unsafe motor carriers, raising new liability and vetting concerns among brokers.
Read More →
FMCSA’s Motus System Is Coming. What Fleets Need to Know Now
FMCSA's long-awaited registration system promises a single portal — and tighter fraud controls. And there are steps you need to take by May 14.
Read More →
Fleet Advantage: Fleets Embrace Generative AI, but Data Problems Limit Operational Gains
New Fleet Advantage research shows generative AI adoption has exploded among private fleets. But poor data integration and weak ROI tracking are preventing fleets from unlocking AI’s full operational and financial value.
Read More →
How Phillips Connect Helped Nussbaum Transportation Double its Trailer Life
Seven years into deploying Phillips Connect’s smart trailer platform, Nussbaum Transportation has extended trailer life from 10 to 15 years.
Read More →Inside Modern Fleet Safety: AI, Cameras & Speed Control at K&B Transportation
How a former commercial vehicle enforcement officer turned director of safety at K&B Transportation is embracing real-world safety technology.
Read More →
How Fleets Can Avoid Equipment Blind Spots in Disaster Response
When the unexpected happens, how you react to, and deal with operational blind spots is critical. Here’s how to keep you recovery on track, when nothing is normal.
Read More →
AI Security Risks for Trucking Fleets: What to Know About Deepfakes and Agentic AI
As fleets adopt artificial intelligence for routing, maintenance, and load matching, new security risks are emerging. Learn where the vulnerabilities are and how to put the right controls in place.
Read More →
Cargo Theft Incidents Fall in Q1, but Organized Crime and Impersonation Drive New Risks
CargoNet reports fewer supply chain crime events to start 2026. But losses hold steady as organized crime shifts tactics toward impersonation schemes and high-value goods.
Read More →
New Trojan Driver Cargo Theft Scam Bypasses Carrier Vetting Systems
Cargo theft rings plant operatives as drivers inside legitimate, fully vetted carriers, then execute coordinated thefts that look like a traditional straight theft from the outside.
Read More →
