These are the instructions for the Field Research Project in this Transportation course.

You are going to write a 5-full-pages essay, plus additional pages for graphs, attachments, and reference cites as required.

In Laredo there are more than 50 transportation companies and logistics firms providing services to hundreds of freight forwarders, distribution centers and customhouse brokers. You must contact any one of these entities related to international trade operations, either freight lines, logistics companies, or actual users of such transportation services (freight forwarders), asking for an interview by phone or in person, stating that you are a senior student from TAMIU Business School, assigned a field project on this subject.

Then, request in a respectful manner if they kindly answer some, or all, of these basic questions, either through a face-to-face meeting, or sending the questions by email for them to reply with their comments and information.

These are a sample of such general questions. You may include more other specific questions as you consider, or add inquiring questioning as the exchange of comments may arise between you and the firm.

1. If they are a 3PL company
2. If they have a web site
3. In how many other locations they operate in the country
4. If they own or lease their transportation equipment
5. If they offer intermodal services, which ones and where at, mention land/sea/air/rail services
6. Their opinion and experiences on the electronic daily log
7. How they deal with risk management issues
8. The technology they have implemented for their safety and security in their operations
9. How they foresee the transportation industry in the next decade
10. What are the current issues and problems they are facing as a transportation provider or user?

Due date is December 10, 5 pm, by Blackboard Word file, APA Style, 5-page single space, one paragraph Abstract, one paragraph Conclusion, a minimum of 4 Reference Cited form industrial magazines or journals (only one Reference form the course textbook). Additional pages for charts, graphs, pictures as desired.