TRAC’s Daniel Walsh Commentary in JOC’s 2025 Annual Review & Outlook
Continued progress in the intermodal space generally depends on several key tenets: ongoing investment to benefit customers; operational improvements to support evolving supply chain strategies; securing best-in-class talent; and further deployment of strategic technologies to operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.
One important area for investment is upgrading chassis fleets. In the last decade, TRAC Intermodal has invested more than $1 billion to expand and modernize its fleet. Commitment to making the highest quality units available to customers and understanding what it takes to deliver on that promise is paramount.
Operational improvements can take the form of establishing close collaborations with industry partners to ensure sufficient equipment allocation for key markets. For example, TRAC is teaming up with rail partners to launch strategic safety reserve locations in designated markets that experienced demanding volume pressures in the past.
Technology upgrades can help improve inventory control and streamline business operations. TRAC is deploying world-class technology to track chassis with GPS and streamline business operations. This includes custom-built HELIX software to better engage customers, optimize assets and manage costs. As in so many other industries, deployment of artificial intelligence is also critical in intermodal. TRAC’s RoadStar AI platform scans thousands of invoices each month from multiple vendors to ensure quality, cost and service are secured.
With a new year upon us, we are ideally positioned to capitalize on future demand. TRAC is eager to take the necessary steps and collaborate with industry partners to drive the next era of intermodal growth.
About TRAC Intermodal
TRAC Intermodal (tracintermodal.com) is North America’s leading marine chassis pool manager and equipment provider with 11 pools under management across the U.S. TRAC has the largest fleet of marine and specialty chassis in North America and operates an extensive network of facilities. TRAC’s subsidiaries offer emergency fleet roadside assistance through FYX, and maintenance and repair services as well as storage and parking solutions through TRAC Services.