Implementing Electronic Data Interchange to Provide in-Transit Visibility

Computers, information systems, and communications systems are being used in the transportation industry to replace cumbersome, paper-based communications processes. In every US contingency, the lack of visibility over troop movements and cargo shipments has limited the military's ability to effectively conduct operational plans. Current Department of Defense (DoD) initiatives provide some level of in-transit visibility (ITV), but are we using effective tools to gain ITV of all DoD assets within the Defense Transportation System (DTS)? The purpose of this study is to address the ITV issues and concerns that exist with gaining visibility of commercially transported DoD personnel and equipment. This study highlights the operating procedures and systems used by the DoD to electronically interface with commercial information systems to provide complete ITV. This analysis concludes that the Defense Transportation Electronic Data Interchange (DTEDI) Program Implementation Plan provides an avenue for commercial shipment data collection and establishes a means by which this information is made available to Global Transportation Network (GTN) users. However, data errors and technology changeover, exacerbated by uncertain Congressional funding levels, provide barriers to DTEDI program efforts.Air Force Inst of Tech Wright-Patterson AFB OH School of Engineering and Management is the author of 'Implementing Electronic Data Interchange to Provide in-Transit Visibility', published 2000 under ISBN 9781423587170 and ISBN 1423587170.