Whether by land, air or sea, finding the right transportation resources to move your products can make or break your business. Taking the time to have a well researched transport information knowledge can help you conquer the ins and outs of the transportation world.

Boats, semis, planes and more are all a part of the transport information quest to find what will take your products or raw materials where and when they need be. Transportation reference materials will help you find out approximate travel times, and the decision will be in your hands whether time or cost are more important.

To make the most of your search for transportation information resources:

1. Start with government transportation information. The U.S. government relies on transportation of goods and people to keep fueling the economy, so it offers a wide spectrum of information on the subject.

2. Move on to industry publications.

3. Round out your transport information by joining or reading about industry affiliations.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out government transportation information

The U.S. government has a vested interest in the transportation information within this country. Moving people equals dollars spent, which makes for a healthier economy.

I recommend: Look at the business services of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Find out about transportation programs through the U.S. General Services Administration. Take a look at Research and Innovative Technology Administration (RITA) and the research and data that it pulls together. Check out how the Transportation Security Organization keeps you safe.

Find publication transportation resources

Sign up for or read free online versions of transport information magazines and other publications. Stay informed as to the industry, but also keep up to date on web updates, which happen more regularly than publications can be printed.

I recommend: Register for free to the American Journal of Transportation website on information for the transportation industry. You can also fill out a trial subscription request. Sign up for the free email newsletter from The Journal of Commerce Online. Another publication put out by their parent company is Air Cargo World. You can sign up for a free subscription from their site. Shipping Digest is another transportation research information publication.

Learn more about transportation information resources from industry organizations

Readily find transportation information by taking advantage or considering joining one of the many transportation industry affiliations or organizations.

I recommend: Consider joining the American Public Transportation Association (APTA), a great source for transport info. There are many categories available to choose from for your membership designation. Find out the mission of the Community Transport Association, and find out about their magazine Community Publication. Check out information on the American Transport Association, a group of 14 major airlines who make up the only trade organization of the principal U.S. airlines. Find out more about the International Air Transport Association.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Take advantage of transportation information resources to help you find the most cost effective, time efficient means to ship your products or raw materials.