The weak link in the intermodal transportation chain is the transfer between modes. At every container depot in the world, whether it is ata modern seaport, or a quickly established military field unit, the container must either be transferred using expensive material handling equipment located at the site or the container is stored on an expensive chassis until it is ready to move out. Many problems would be solved if the chassis holding the container were able to load or unload thecontainer without the need for additional MHE or manpower. Such a concept is only practical if the solution can provide a number of qualities such as: the ability to be adapted to existing chassis and flatbeds; the ability to work efficiently when operated by a single unskilleddriver; low costs; does not dramatically reduce the carrying capability of the truck; etc. Phase I result will be a concept that is both technically and economically feasible. This proposal presents a clear and concise methodology for the development of the concept. The proposer's past successes in producing innovative technology lends assurance that the methodology will lead to a concept that will have an excellentchance of performing as desired.
Benefits: Such a solution would have many benefits. It would free up the chassis for use in further moves; eliminate the need to have local MHE, and operators; reduce the land required per container by permitting the containers to be stacked; and speed up the transfer process by allowing the truck driver to load/unload the container without the need to queue up for MHE resources
