Full course description
Freight transportation is to global economic development as humans’ blood vessels are to maintaining life, from the early roots of civilization into a future we can only imagine. Transportation modes and nodes are the foundation for global supply chains. We’ll learn how this foundation has evolved with value derived from speed, cost, capacity, flexibility, reliability, and technological adaption. We will also acknowledge and learn how greater risk is now present from cyberthreats, political volatility, natural disasters, and public health crises. All major transport modes will be examined including maritime (ships and barges,) surface (rail, trucks, and vans,) air (planes, helicopters, and drones,) and underground (pipelines.) We will learn the characteristics of these modes and the nodes with which they interact including ports, terminals, distribution centers, and flow centers. Whether working for a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or e-tailer, students will learn how to effectively manage transportation, a key factor in companies’ profitability and customer satisfaction. We’ll combine foundational knowledge in our textbook with a multimedia approach including video lectures and interactive exercises to practice knowledge of terms. Assignments will include case studies from the textbook, a risk assessment exercise and a final assignment testing your ability to integrate the knowledge learned from our modules.
At the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Show transportation’s role in the global economy, its history, and how transportation has driven changes in global development.
- Outline the role of transportation within logistics systems including upstream and downstream supply chain nodes.
- Assess the impact of technology to drive efficient and reliable transportation.
- Explain major impacts in transportation from changing trade lanes, security, intermodal, technology, sustainability, and labor volatility.
- Identify the changing transportation workforce.