This column reflects on the impact of the US interstate

highway system, highlighting its role in reshaping American industry and

logistics since its inception in 1956. It discusses the shift in labor from

skilled manufacturing to trucking and suggests that anticipated cost savings

from larger production facilities have been partially offset by increased

transportation expenses. While railroads have improved their service through

technological advancements, challenges with longer trains impacting passenger

rail exist. The author proposes a significant efficiency improvement by

advocating for direct container loading at production lines, eliminating

intermediate handling and warehousing, which could lead to substantial savings

and modernize material handling practices across industries.