An investigation into the enablers and inhibitors of intermodal rail freight in North America

The growth in intermodal rail freight in North America (U.S., Canada, and Mexico) has been phenomenal over recent years. The aim of this research study was to identify the contextual factors that will enable or inhibit future growth in this sector. The study adopted the PESTLE framework to classify enablers and inhibitors into contextual themes. An initial review of the literature identified a variety of enablers and inhibitors and highlighted the different stakeholders that existed within the North American intermodal railroad ecosystem. A qualitative research methodology was adopted to gather primary data from these stakeholders using semi-structured interviews to identify the enablers and inhibitors, but also strategies that would minimise the impacts of the inhibitors. A total of 32 interviews were undertaken by the researchers, the primary data collected was combined with the secondary data from the initial literature review and classified using the PESTLE framework. The data analysis identified key themes and variables, which would provide insight and direction for future stakeholder's decisions related to the sector. The study also identified areas for future research, in particular relationships between the stakeholders in the sector, but also the role of the sector in the wider context of supply chain management.