Routing Small Shipments of Hazardous or Sensitive Cargo
NSIAD-86-34
Published: Dec 20, 1985. Publicly Released: Dec 20, 1985.
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Highlights
GAO evaluated the Military Traffic Management Command's (MTMC) actions in response to previous GAO recommendations concerning the routing of small shipments of hazardous or sensitive cargo.
Recommendations
Recommendations for Executive Action
| Agency Affected | Recommendation | Status Sort descending |
|---|---|---|
| Military Traffic Management Command | The Commander, MTMC, should revise and expand MTMC instructions to shippers for submitting requests for routing advice. |
Closed – Implemented
The Defense Traffic Management Regulation (DTMR) was published on July 31, 1986, and was scheduled for update during 1987. DTMR contains sections on shippers' requests for routing and the Automated Transportation Facility Guide format and preparation instructions. The definition and application of the required delivery date will be incorporated into the next DTMR update.
|
| Military Traffic Management Command | The Commander, MTMC, should make sure MTMC guidelines call for certain challenge criteria on shippers' requirements. |
Closed – Implemented
The MTMC letter, dated April 8, 1986, provided MTMC area commands with procedures to challenge shippers' requirements. Records of all challenges are maintained on routing worksheets. The area commands have complied with this requirement. To ensure the guidance is followed, the procedures are an item of interest for the MTMC Office of Inspector General inspection visits.
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| Military Traffic Management Command | The Commander, MTMC, should verify routinely that MTMC guidelines are followed. These instructions and guidelines should specifically: (1) require shippers to certify the necessity for palletization when it is used on small shipments; (2) provide for a requirement that information on air taxi landing fields be continuously updated and any discrepancies between the shippers' information and MTMC information be resolved quickly; (3) require development and use of a MTMC-approved methodology for computing air taxi pickup and delivery costs, which would result in a greater degree of consistency in the costs among installations, and which would be available to the air taxi industry; and (4) define the required delivery date as it is to be used in requesting routing advice and how it, along with the transportation priority, will be used in making the mode and carrier choice. |
Closed – Not Implemented
Action on items one and four of this recommendation have been completed. DOD believes that because of Service disagreement, resolution is not possible regarding item 3. Moreover, it feels that the current state of motor carrier vs. taxi rates makes this recommendation moot. GAO disagrees, but feels that keeping the recommendation open is pointless.
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