THE GEOGRAPHY OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS



Photo: Dr. Jean-Paul Rodrigue, 2005.

Domestic 53 Foot Containers Doublestacked

In the United States, the domestic 53 foot container is widely used. It represents that largest size a standard truck is authorized to carry on roadways, namely the Interstate, and thus the largest road transportation unit in most of North America. These containers belong to J.B. Hunt, one of the largest road carrier in the United States, and are arriving at the Corwith railyard in Chicago. It thus shows an eloquent example of intermodal integration as both modes focus on the haulage distances that are the most suitable for.

The rail cars in which these domestic containers are been carried on has been designed to handle a wide variety of container sizes, from two 20 footers, 40 footers, 48 footers and 53 footers. They are owned by TTX, which is a corporation specializing in leasing rail intermodal equipment.