Question

Section 1: The Transportation Network
Course Resources
The Resources area for this course contains a variety of reference materials that will help you to complete the course activities. It is suggested that you become familiar with these resources before you begin the activities.

While textbooks are often integral for a doctoral-level course, increasing emphasis on primary sources is expected. In every doctoral-level course, students should find, read, and comment on peer-reviewed articles and synthesize their readings with their own ideas.

Library
References used for research need to be peer reviewed/scholarly journals, which can be found by searching the Northcentral University Library databases. These journals typically have the following characteristics:

- Articles are reviewed by a panel of experts before they are accepted for publication.
- Articles are written by a scholar or specialist in the field.
- Articles report on original research or experimentation.
- Articles are often published by professional associations.
- Articles utilize terminology associated with the discipline.

Information literacy is a set of skills that help you to find and appropriately apply information. The Northcentral University Library has developed a tutorial based on the ACRL (Association of College and Research Libraries) Information Literacy Standards and is intended to raise awareness on how one effectively interacts with information. Review the Information Literacy Tutorial to become familiar with information literacy at Northcentral.

Writing Center
Northcentral values your progress and success as a scholarly writer. Please access the Writing Center from your student home page to see a wide variety of writing tips and examples to help you as you compose written submissions for this and other Northcentral courses.

The Writing Center also contracts with SmartThinking, an online 24/7 tutoring service that offers assistance in mathematics, statistics, finance, and writing. You can contact SmartThinking from the home page of the Writing Center.

Dissertation Center
The Dissertation Center is a valuable reference area for research methods and products specific to Northcentral standards. You will find a rich variety of resources that will help you through the scholarly research process, as well as a complete collection of dissertations written by Northcentral Ph.D. students.

Introduction
The history of the United States in many ways is linked to the development of its transportation infrastructure. Towns grew up and flourished at intermodal sites such as river and road junctions. Ecumenical transportation moved goods and services west. One only has to look at the development around Interstate interchanges to see the dramatic effect of transportation on local economies.
Without question, the economic livelihood of the United States depends on the ability to transport goods freely within and outside the United States. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, had a dramatic effect on that ability to use transportation assets with confidence. While the terrorist attacks of 9/11 caused immediate focus on air transportation, rails move approximately �42 percent of our nation's freight (measured in ton-miles)� (http://nationalatlas.gov/articles/transportation/a_freightrr.html). In addition to need for a transportation infrastructure, �Transportation contributes 11 percent of the nation's gross domestic product, amounting to approximately $950 billion� (http://nationalatlas.gov/transportation.html).

In this section, you will have an opportunity to consider the importance of the transportation network. An understanding of the importance of our transportation networks provides a basis for formulating strategies that reduce the risks.

Required Reading:
Please refer to each Activity for required readings within Activity Resources.

Assignment 2   International or National Network?
The ground, air, and pipeline transportation networks have developed over a number of years. The argument can be made that these networks are national assets or international assets. Clearly, the network is owned and operated by activities predominantly based within the United States for domestic transportation, but that network also connects to a larger network that crosses international boundaries.

Activity Resources
Applebaum, A. (2011).
Assist, M. A., & Bakir, M. (2011).
Main Task: Investigate Transportation Networks
Assume that you are a consultant advising a state government transportation commission. Analyze the appropriate characterization of the transportation network. How does this specifically affect the challenges of ensuring safe travel? Provide your analysis in a research paper. Address the following issues as a minimum:
Intermodal transfer
Intramodal transfer
Passenger and cargo security
Support your paper with at least 5 scholarly or professional resources. In addition to these specified resources, other appropriate scholarly resources, including older articles, may be included.

Length: 5-7 pages not including title and reference pages

Your paper should demonstrate thoughtful consideration of the ideas and concepts that are presented in the course and provide new thoughts and insights relating directly to this topic. Your response should reflect scholarly writing and current APA standards. Be sure to adhere to Northcentral University's Academic Integrity Policy.

Submit your document in the Course Work area below the Activity screen.

Learning Outcome: 2
Assignment Outcomes
Analyze the transportation network and its role in ensuring safe travel.