An ultrasonic system to locate track defects and use of unmanned aerial vehicles for inspection of track, bridge and other freight rail infrastructure are among the technologies being explored by the railroad industry, according to a report from the Association of American Railroads.

Stakeholders at U.S. ports are spending $9bn a year to accommodate the next generation of super-sized container ships. But simply expanding physical infrastructure will not be enough to mitigate port congestion. With fewer vessels moving more containers per call, U.S. ports need to fundamentally change the way containers are moved in and out of terminals.

Today, the Silk Road is just as active a trade route as it was 700 years ago, but there's a certain "back to the future" feel to the most recent projects linking Europe and China. The mode of choice being talked about now is not ocean or air cargo but rail freight.

After years of truckload carriers wooing shippers with low rates, expanded service offerings and intense engagement models, a perfect storm is underway that puts shippers and logistics providers in the awkward position of wooing the carriers. Why has this happened? Take a look at the backbone of the U.S. market economy – supply and demand.

Canadian Tire is pushing the envelope and has developed a 60-foot container that has received government approval and will soon by deployed on multiple lanes.