The Transportation Industry

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The logistics/transportation industry accounts for a approximately 9% of the United States Gross Domestic Product (GDP) amounting to roughly $930 billion dollars of revenue. (IRS) This unique industry continues to grow at a estimated levels with each year.

History:

In 1769 a French engineer by the name of Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, introduced what became know as the first steam powered automobile. His invention resembled that of a tricycle although not the average size of a tricycle it was strangely oversized. It was designed as a means to transport cannons for the military, when not loaded his invention had a tendency to tip over due to the weight. Since his invention, several other engineers have attempted to market their improved versions of Cugnot’s automobile, with added features that would enable them to carry not only cargo but also passengers. Legislation was passed which prohibited them from running their vehicles on public roads. This movement prompted the birth of the railroad system.

By the late 1800’s the first gas engine automobile was introduced and among them were the first truck referred to as a motor wagons. These motor wagons became know as the replacement to the horse and buggy. Although many of these wagons’s resembled that of the buggy wagon, the result was a heavy bodied which only allowed for short trips over rough roads. Of course this new invention had its share of obstacles; they were considered unreliable and were often destroyed by the operators as their knowledge of operating these wagons was little to none.

Fueling these truck wagons become another huge concern for truck operators as the steam powered system in which they were utilizing required them to stop every few hours and relo...

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Internal Revenue Service. Trucking Industry Overview. LMSB-04-1107-075. Retrieved May 9, 2008 from: http://www.irs.gov/businesses/article/0,,id=170623,00.html

Leray, C. Biodiesel. (2008) Retrieved May 20, 2008, from: http://www.cyberlipid.org/glycer/biodiesel.htm

N. Snell. Guide to transportation and Logistics. (2008) Retrieved May 9, 2008, from: http://www.work.com

U.S. Department of Labor Employment & Training Administration. Transportation Industry. (October 2006) Retrieved May 9, 2008, from: http://www.doleta.gov/BRG/Indprof/Transportation.cfm

Supply Chain Digest. Logistics Cost Survey. (2006). Retrieved May 13, 2008, from: http://www.scdigest.com/assets/reps/SCDigest_Logistics_Cost_Survey_2006.pdf

Madison, N. What is a freight Broker? (2003) Retrieved May 9, 2008, from: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-freight-broker.htm

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