Sample Curriculum

The Freight Academy curriculum builds on the strong foundations of the previous academy programs while reflecting the latest trends and dynamics of freight movement in a global economy.

Below is a sample curriculum.

Session Information

Sunday Sessions

Registration
Welcome
Opening Dinner

Monday Sessions

Opening Session: Overview of the Freight System – Components, Players and Considerations

Overview of the Shipper Considerations How Shippers View and Use the Supply Chain

Objectives Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Understand key supply chain trends, terminology and conditions.
  • Discuss international, national, regional, and local freight movements;
  • List all modes and elements of the freight system, including key players, considerations, and trends; and
  • Describe how each module of the immersion program relates to the overall freight system.

How Shippers View and Use the Freight System

Session Type Panel followed by Q&A
Objectives
  • Provide private sector perspective on what companies demand of the freight system and freight providers, including truck, rail, coastwise barging and international shipping.

 

Field Visit: Distribution Center

Capstone Project Meetings

Tuesday Sessions

Overview of Port Commerce including Port Performance and the Auto Industry

Field Visit: Port/Container Terminals

Objectives Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Describe how ports work within the freight system, including the role of ports in international and domestic movements, movements to and from ports by truck, rail, and barge;>
  • Discuss current trends and issues facing ports; and
  • Understand what to expect during the field visit to port facility, including how terminals work, interfaces with truck and rail, technologies used, and terminology used.

Field Visit: Intermodal Terminal and Rail Classification Yard

Wednesday Sessions

Linkage Between Freight and Economic Development

Field Visit: Lehigh Valley Region

Thursday Sessions

The Evolving Transportation System: Cross Border, Multi-modal and New Technologies

Freight in Transportation Resiliency

Freight Transportation/Significant Event Tabletop Exercise

Capstone Projects

Friday Sessions

Overview of Air Cargo

Field Visit: Newark Liberty International Airport Air Cargo Carrier

Objectives Upon completion of this session, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the various forms of air cargo – integrated carrier (UPS, FedEx), all-cargo, belly cargo; and
  • Describe how air cargo works within the freight system, including the role of air cargo in international and domestic movements, movements to and from airports by truck, trends and issues.