REFRIGERATED DOUBLE-STACK TRANSPORT OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST PERISHABLES TO MEXICO: PROSPECTS AND PROBLEMS

The U.S. intermodal industry is in the midst of what can be safely referred to as a "revolution", both in terms of growth and in terms of technological development. Another type of "revolution" is underway in the area of perishables exports from the Pacific Northwest to Mexico. The overall purpose of this paper is to determine whether the "revolution" in intermodal transportation and the "revolution" in Pacific Northwest fruit exports to Mexico can be feasibly merged. Its specific objectives are to: 1. describe current and potential transportation alternatives for moving Pacific Northwest perishables to Mexico; 2. outline current constraints on transport efficiency; 3. estimate costs of a potential double-stack movement of fresh apples from Washington to Mexico; and 4. draw inferences regarding the feasibility of double-stack for transport of Pacific Northwest perishables to Mexico.