Abstract: A computer-implemented method of facilitating the pricing of freight transportation services entails receiving information to compute pricing benchmarks from which a suggested price may be selected. The information may include, e.g., the commodity to be transported, the origin and destination, the vehicle type, and whether the customer owns the vehicle. In some cases, the type of commodity will dictate the appropriate type of vehicle (e.g., a covered hopper railroad car). Additional information may include the customer's name, user's identification, date, shipment dates and other information related to the potential transaction. Benchmarks may be computed based on the aforementioned information, historical data and pricing guidelines. The benchmarks account for best current rates, the amount a competitor would charge for transporting the commodity, costs, a minimum financial return, a desired profit, and historic rates per mile for the relevant commodity.

Abstract: A system for mapping occurrences of conditions along a transport route is provided. The transport route is travelled by a vehicle storing cargo. The system includes at least one mobile sensing station mounted on the vehicle traversing the transport route. The mobile sensing station detects occurrences of the conditions along the transport route to the vehicle. At least one of the conditions indicates that the vehicle is influenced by the conditions. The sensing station receives positional data, correlates the positional data with corresponding occurrences of the conditions, and transmits the correlated data.

Abstract: A freight securing device for freight enclosures having sheet metal sidewalls supported by spaced vertical wall stiffeners and lined with plywood panels comprising a synthetic fiber strap one end of which is attached to a ring member or equivalent connecting device and the other end of which is adhesively secured to the plywood liner with a flexible adhesive having an elasticity substantially corresponding to the elasticity of the strap so that forces applied to the anchoring member as a result of longitudinal shocks encountered by the freight enclosure and freight will be spread substantially evenly across the entire adhesive area. The strap is adhesively secured to the leading edge of a plywood panel so that the entire panel will be placed in tension and the fasteners which secure the panel to the rest of the enclosure sidewall will be substantially evenly loaded.