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 shipmentshas 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 visibilityof commercially transported DoD personnel and equipment. This study highlights the operating procedures and systems used by theDoD to electronically interface with commercial information systems to provide complete ITV .This analysis concludes that the Defense Transportation Electronic Data Interchange (DTEDI) Program Implementation Planprovides 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.