BNSF touts intermodal transit time gains

BNSF touts intermodal transit time gains    BNSF Railway said Thursday it made significant strides in improved service during the first quarter by cutting 12 hours off the average transit time for intermodal shipments.
   The western railroad said delivery times in some lanes were reduced by 20 hours, compared to the same three-month period in 2008.
   The efficiency gains are the result of productivity enhancements, capital investments, better collaboration with service providers and customers, and available capacity, Fort Worth, Texas-based BNSF said. In addition to speed, the railroad said customers are seeing more reliable service on a consistent basis.
      The company noted that it has spent about $30 billion to add track and locomotives during the past 10 years. BNSF recently installed automated gate systems for trucks at its intermodal facilities in Chicago, Dallas, San Bernardino, Calif., and Memphis, Tenn. The new gates use technology to remotely inspect and identify the truck, as well as the driver. They are able to speed up processing time at the check-in booth and reduce diesel emissions from idling.
   It is unclear how much of the improvement in service time is a function of reduced intermodal business from the recession. Slack capacity would limit the need to bump freight from overcrowded trains and make it easier to process shipments on time.
   To read more about innovative steps BNSF is taking to improve efficiency, see the October cover story in American Shipper (pages 58-69). ' Eric Kulisch