Overview:
During World War I, the United States faced a critical shortage of railroad cars and locomotives, leading to widespread coal shortages, hampered steel production, and delays in ship construction. To address this issue, the Council of National Defense, through its Highways Transport Committee, proposed a system for more efficient utilization of motor trucks. This system, called the “Return-Loads Bureau,” aimed to reduce the burden on railroads by utilizing trucks that would otherwise return empty.
The concept was simple: local business organizations, such as Chambers of Commerce, would act as clearinghouses for information about available trucks and loads. By connecting shippers needing transportation with truck owners looking for return loads, the bureau could double the efficiency of trucks, reduce freight congestion on railroads, and speed up delivery times. The model was already successfully implemented in England, where it was considered unpatriotic to run a truck without a load.
Key Findings:
- The war effort was significantly impacted by a lack of efficient transportation due to railroad congestion.
- Motor trucks could alleviate this strain by carrying short-haul freight, which would free up rail cars for longer-distance haulage.
- Establishing Return-Loads Bureaus, acting as information clearinghouses, could effectively connect shippers with available trucks and improve transportation efficiency.
Learning:
- Return-Loads Bureaus: A Return-Loads Bureau is a system for connecting shippers with trucks that would otherwise return empty. This optimizes truck usage and reduces reliance on railroads for short-haul freight.
- Benefits: Increased truck efficiency, reduced freight congestion, faster delivery times, and support for the war effort.
- Implementation: Chambers of Commerce could easily establish a bureau by collecting information from truck owners and shippers and connecting them through a centralized system.
- Intercity Motor Express: The use of motor trucks for long-distance transportation between cities was already proving successful, indicating the potential of this system for larger-scale applications.
- Benefits: Increased efficiency, faster delivery times, and a more reliable transportation system.
Historical Context:
This bulletin was published in 1918, at the height of World War I. The United States was facing significant logistical challenges due to the war effort, including a shortage of railroad resources and increasing reliance on motor trucks for transportation. This context highlights the critical need for efficient and adaptable transportation systems to support the war effort.
Facts:
- Railroad Congestion: During World War I, railroad car and locomotive shortages led to coal shortages, slowing down steel production and ship construction, and creating significant freight congestion. This was due to increased demand for war supplies and munitions, as well as shortages of resources and labor.
- Return-Loads Bureaus in England: The Return-Loads Bureau system was already implemented in England and considered a patriotic duty to maximize truck efficiency. This demonstrates the concept’s effectiveness and potential for successful adaptation in the US.
- Motor Express Lines: Hundreds of motor express lines were already operating successfully throughout the US, indicating the viability of using trucks for intercity transportation. This demonstrates the growing popularity and reliability of motor truck transportation.
- Truck Availability: In Connecticut, a survey revealed over 700 trucks in 15 cities were available for return-load services, covering 49 main routes. This demonstrates the significant potential for truck-based transportation.
- Direct Delivery: Trucks could deliver goods directly from shipper to consignee, eliminating the need for multiple handlings and reducing the time required for delivery compared to rail. This emphasizes the efficiency and speed advantages of truck transport.
- Regular and Irregular Service: The Return-Loads Bureau could accommodate both regular and irregular shipments, connecting businesses with trucks operating on fixed schedules and those available for ad-hoc hauls. This highlights the adaptability of the system to various transportation needs.
Statistics:
- 700 Trucks: In Connecticut, over 700 trucks were available for return-load service, indicating the significant potential of this system.
- 49 Routes: These 700 trucks covered 49 main routes, demonstrating the widespread potential for truck-based transportation across different regions.
- 10-50 Miles: Much of the short-haul freight causing congestion on railroads originated from within cities or within 10-50 miles. This highlights the significant volume of short-haul freight that could be shifted to trucks.
Terms:
- Return-Loads Bureau: A clearinghouse that connects shippers with trucks returning empty to maximize efficiency.
- Motor Truck: A gasoline-powered vehicle used for transportation, specifically targeted as a solution to alleviate railroad congestion.
- Shipper: A person or business that sends goods for transportation.
- Truck Owner: A person or business that owns and operates trucks.
- Chamber of Commerce: A local business organization often serving as a central point of contact for business interests in a community.
- Embargo: A temporary suspension of shipping, frequently used during wartime to prioritize essential goods.
- Freight: Goods being transported.
- Consignee: The person or business receiving goods that have been shipped.
- Intercity: Between cities.
- Motor Express: A service that uses motor trucks to transport goods between cities or within a city.
Examples:
- Manchester, England: The Return-Loads Bureau was implemented successfully in Manchester, England, with reciprocal arrangements for information exchange between nearby cities. This shows the model’s effectiveness and potential for wider adoption.
- Connecticut’s Return-Loads Bureaus: The State Council of Defense in Connecticut established Return-Loads Bureaus in 15 cities, leading to successful implementation and a significant increase in truck efficiency. This serves as a practical example of the system’s successful setup and operation.
- Truck to Vermont: A company in New York used a truck to transport machinery from Vermont and sought assistance from the Chamber of Commerce in finding a return load. This demonstrates the need for a system like the Return-Loads Bureau to connect shippers and truck owners in a timely and efficient manner.
- Truck from Philadelphia: A company with a truck returning from Philadelphia sought a return load, highlighting the practical challenges faced by truck owners in maximizing their vehicle’s efficiency.
Conclusion:
The 1918 bulletin advocating for the use of Return-Loads Bureaus is a fascinating example of innovative solutions to pressing wartime transportation challenges. By connecting shippers with trucks returning empty, the system promised to significantly improve truck efficiency, reduce the burden on railroads, and enhance delivery times. This initiative reflects the growing importance of motor trucks as a vital transportation resource and the potential for collaborative efforts between business organizations and government agencies to address critical issues. While the context is historical, the concept of efficient truck utilization remains relevant today.