It’s no secret that international shipping is fraught with challenges, but intermodal transportation, combined with rail container tracking solutions, is proving to be a lifeline for global supply chains.
Now, more than ever before, different regions and continents are connected, opening borders to the movement of goods across vast distances, thanks to intermodal transportation and the visibility that comes with intermodal container tracking technology.
Plus, intermodal transportation is driving economic growth by connecting suppliers, manufacturers, and consumers worldwide, providing flexibility and greater resilience across every touch point that links global supply chains.
To illustrate the significance of intermodal transportation, in the North American market alone, volume growth across the intermodal market in the first quarter of 2024 showed an 8% increase.
Key to intermodal’s growth in the international shipping arena is the rise of rail container tracking. With intermodal shipping using various modes of transport for a single journey, keeping an eye on cargo movements relies on rail container tracking technology for visibility and transparency.
The Current State of Rail Container Tracking Technologies
Rail container tracking technologies have come a long way in recent years. Demand for real-time visibility has driven developments in real-time GPS tracking, RFID systems, and automated data capture. With every advancement, the way cargo is monitored across rail networks is changing.
Supply chain stakeholders now have greater visibility and control over rail freight movements than ever before. And because technology is rapidly advancing, prices have dropped, and new use cases are emerging because tracking technology has become increasingly accessible.
Advancements in Technology
Rail container tracking has moved from unreliable manual guesswork to precise, data-driven tracking in real time. Gone are the days of manually checking the whereabouts of individual rail containers on shipping line websites.
Instead, powerful rail container tracking solutions consolidate data from multiple sources, which allows for the centralized monitoring of any number of shipments from a single interface with ease.
Plus, today’s advanced tracking tools can be configured to send alerts based on major milestones being reached or in the event of disruptions or deviations from planned routes. This means stakeholders can address any issues before they spiral out of control.
And it’s not just location status information that rail container tracking solutions provide. They can alert stakeholders to security breaches or temperature fluctuations for refrigerated containers. This kind of information helps to protect the integrity of shipments.
Real-time GPS tracking and RFID systems are two of the key technologies that have helped to elevate rail container tracking to another level.
Combined, real-time GPS solutions and RFID technology offer the ability to automatically identify and track container movements, while capturing key data that paints a full picture of what’s happening with cargo that’s being moved with intermodal transport.
Integration with Intermodal Operations
What makes today’s rail tracking container technology even more unique is its ability to integrate with already established intermodal transportation operations. One of the key advantages of rail container tracking tech is that it can integrate with other modes of transport too, whether it’s by ocean or road.
Plus, the integration capabilities of advanced rail container tracking solutions means that stakeholders can better communicate and collaborate, paving the way for smoother handovers between transportation modes.
This gives stakeholders the complete end-to-end visibility they need, opening doors to supply chain optimization opportunities, such as reduced transit times and lower costs.
Ultimately, the integration of rail container tracking with intermodal operations provides:
- Enhanced data sharing and connectivity.
- Interoperable technologies.
- Unified platforms.
- Collaborative logistics networks.
- Optimized route planning.
- Greater visibility for customers.
Impact on Supply Chain Efficiency
Rail container tracking technology not only serves to improve intermodal operations, it has a direct effect on supply chain efficiency, improving the international shipping scene for everyone involved.
Specifically, railroad container tracking helps to reduce transit times and creates space for proactive, rather than reactive, decision-making.
Reduced Transit Times
Delays are an inevitable part of shipping, and intermodal transportation is not immune to disruptions, but it’s the not knowing about it that causes bigger headaches.
With rail container tracking comes accurate data, which equips logistics providers to optimize transport schedules and minimize delays and disruptions. Real-time location information means rail operators can identify and tackle potential bottlenecks, keeping shipments on track for on-time delivery.
Rail container tracking solutions can also incorporate predictive analytics, using historical data and machine learning algorithms to forecast transit times more accurately.
This means that past transit times, weather conditions, traffic patterns, and rail network congestion can be analyzed to better anticipate delays and adjust transportation schedules accordingly to optimize transit routes, while minimizing wait times at terminals or intermodal facilities.
Enhanced Decision-Making
Before rail container tracking was on the scene, it was anyone’s guess what was really happening with shipments in transit, and in most cases decisions were made without any real basis for making them.
Real-time data has changed all that. Now, supply chain managers can make informed decisions and respond quickly to changing conditions. Access to up-to-date information on cargo movements means that stakeholders can anticipate disruptions, execute contingency plans, and optimize resource allocations.
With railroad container tracking in play, supply chain managers can apply a proactive approach to improving operational efficiency, which serves to enhance customer satisfaction.
Beyond the decisions that need to be made when faced with disruptions, supply chain managers must make sure that rail container transportation adheres to regulatory requirements.
By tracking the movement of containers and monitoring key performance indicators, managers can ensure that shipments are handled in accordance with applicable regulations, such as safety, security, and environmental requirements.
This minimizes the risk of noncompliance penalties, delays, or disruptions and ensures that shipments are delivered safely, securely, and in compliance with regulatory standards.
Challenges and Solutions in Implementing Tracking Technologies
The shipping industry is historically slow to adopt new technologies, and rail container tracking is no exception. Why? Because implementing tracking systems is not without its challenges. But the needle is moving. For example, the rail industry in Spain recently introduced its first-ever tracking system for rail freight earlier this year.
Slowly but surely, rail operators and supply chain stakeholders are finding ways to overcome the barriers that prevent container tracking implementation. That’s not to say there aren’t still some sticking points, such as:
Cost of Implementation
The initial cost to implement advanced rail container tracking technology can be significant, especially for small to midsize operations. However, the longer-term benefits, such as improved operational efficiency and customer satisfaction, far outweigh the upfront costs.
That’s why it’s important to view rail container tracking as an investment that will mature, rather than a cost, because tracking technology adds value to supply chains.
And, the cost of technology combined with the availability of scalable solutions, make rail container tracking technologies increasingly accessible to companies of all sizes.
Data Security and Privacy
Arguably a bigger barrier than cost is concerns surrounding data security and privacy. However, rail container tracking systems are among the most heavily encrypted technologies on the market.
Encryption algorithms encode tracking data into unreadable ciphertext, which can only be decrypted by authorized parties with the corresponding encryption keys. This protects sensitive information such as container locations, shipment details, and customer data, preventing unauthorized access.
Plus, rail container tracking systems come with access control, with the option to assign specific permissions and privileges to users based on their roles and responsibilities within the organization.
This restricts access to sensitive data to authorized personnel only, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or misuse, which is further backed up by secure user authentication protocols to verify the identity of users and devices accessing rail container tracking systems.
Vizion and Future Directions in Rail Container Tracking
Vizion is helping to shape the future of rail container tracking with key technologies and a continued commitment to innovation. Here’s what we’re bringing to the global supply chain:
- Comprehensive Visibility. Vizion’s tracking platforms provide granular insights into cargo movements, allowing companies to monitor shipments from origin to destination.
- Integration with Existing Systems. Our solutions are designed to integrate with existing logistics systems, minimizing disruptions and maximizing efficiency. Whether it’s rail, road, or sea transport, Vizion’s technology offers interoperability and scalability, ensuring compatibility with current operations and future expansions.
- Data Accuracy and Reliability. Vizion’s tracking solutions deliver accurate and reliable information, meaning companies can make informed decisions with confidence to optimize resource allocation, mitigate risks, and enhance customer service.
- Enhanced Operational Efficiency. Real-time data access through Vizion’s platforms enables quicker response times and better management of assets and resources.
- Future Adaptability. Vizion’s ongoing development anticipates future industry needs, ensuring that our solutions remain at the top end of technology trends.
Ship With Certainty With Vizion
With Vizion, you can maintain rail container visibility and comply with shipping regulations worldwide. Our platform pushes the most complete, standardized, and detailed container tracking events to any spreadsheet, ERP, TMS, or other software system in accordance with maritime industry standards.
Book a demo with Vizion and see the difference that real-time rail container tracking will make to your supply chain.
