Meeting Defense Transportation Cargo Movement Regulations – Part I

DOD / Government / Locks / transportation
January 12, 2016
Author: Carol Fuller

In this Blog we’ll be taking a look from time to time at regulations which affect the markets that OpticalLock participates in. In this post we’ll be reviewing a specific area of the Document “Joint Publication 4-01 The Defense Department Transportation System“. This is a massive, daunting document on defense transportation and there are many sections of it that are ripe for discussion. The focus of our discussion will be on CHAPTER IV: EMPLOYMENT OF THE DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM.

Even this section is voluminous with a great deal of detail. Today we’ll focus on Section 5: “In-Transit Visibility Reporting” and Section 6″ “Layering of Automated Identification Technology to Promote Asset and In-Transit Visibility“, which are most relevant to OpticalLock’s upcoming products. Below is the content of sections 5a and 5b:

5. Defense Transportation Visibility Reporting of In-Transit Cargo

a. Integrated Data Environment/Global Transportation Network Convergence (IGC). IGC is a single system that integrates information from a variety of DTS automated information systems to provide ITV and C2 data support. IGC supports the President, SecDef, the CCDRs, the Services, and other DOD customers with information to better manage their warfighting and logistic capabilities. IGC is the ITV system of record providing expanded common integrated data and application services enabling distribution solutions. IGC enables a common logistics picture, distribution visibility, and material asset/ITV.

b. ITV is the ability to track the identity, status, and location of DOD units, non-unit cargo (excluding bulk POL), passengers, patients, and personal property from origin to consignee or destination across the range of military operations. ITV of assets moving through DTS or in support of DOD operations is an essential element of the DOD
warfighting capability and is required by the supported CCDRs. The transportation tracking number (TTN) and transportation control number (TCN) are alphanumeric character sets assigned to a shipment (unit move and sustainment) to maintain ITV. IGC links the TCN to the military standard requisitioning and issue procedure (MILSTRIP) number, if available, and to commercial express carrier tracking numbers, if applicable. The Defense Logistics Management System (DLMS) establishes a baseline set of data necessary to support information exchange technology, such as manifests, electronic data interchange (EDI), and automated identification technology (AIT) devices. Service-specific logistics systems apply
DLMS standards to enable movement data which is consolidated in IGC. Users can query various ITV data relevant to their cargo in IGC. IGC also provides cargo detail to various common operational pictures, such as the Single Mobility System, the Battled Command
Support and Sustainment System, and others. The TTN will link ITV data to JOPES in support of OPLAN execution. This gives the user multiple ways to track forces, equipment, and items. See the Defense Transportation Regulation for specific information governing the use of TTNs and TCNs.

The importance of this section as it relates to OpticalLock is that it explains the key role that tracking data plays in managing DOD shipments. The OpticalLock SmartLock fits extremely well into the IGC/ITV ecosystem detailed in these sections. Not only does the OpticalLock system provide real-time alerting and tracking information on the lock and associated cargo, but also will provide storage and reporting of a body of rich location and tampering data generated by OpticalLock sensors. This can serve as a detailed audit trail for a variety of applications.Let’s move on to Sections 6a and 6b:

6.Layering of Automated Identification Technology to Promote Asset and In-Transit Visibility

a. Automated Identification Technology. AIT is a suite of technologies enabling the automatic capture of data, thereby enhancing the ability to identify, track, document, and control materiel, deploying and redeploying forces, equipment, personnel, and sustainment cargo. AIT encompasses a variety of data storage or carrier technologies,such as bar codes,magnetic strips, integrated circuit cards, optical laser discs (optical memory cards or compact Employment of the Defense Transportation System IV-15 discs), satellite tracking, and radio frequency identification (RFID) tags used for marking or“tagging” individual items, equipment, air pallets, or containers. The consistent application of AIT in the distribution and supply chain processes throughout DOD is key to deriving the most asset visibility and ITV in the DOD enterprise.

b. The Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics designated USTRANSCOM, in its role as the DPO, as the lead functional proponent forRFID and related AIT implementation throughout the DOD supply chain. A key goal of USTRANSCOM in this functional proponency is to ensure that AIT use throughout the supply chain is coordinated to maximize its effectiveness, with minimal redundancies or conflicting technologies, as a means to achieve asset visibility.In executing this responsibility, USTRANSCOM facilitated the development of standard applications of AITin the DOD supply chain (see Figure IV-6). While these designations of specific AIT are significant, USTRANSCOM is constantly working with the Services, DOD and the CCDRs to refine and adjust these requirements as technology breakthroughs and business processes dictate change.

Section 6 also reinforce the importance of automated asset tracking and real-time visibility of cargo while in-transit. Again, this DOD requirement fits like a glove with OpticalLock’s real-time alerting and GPS tracking capabilities.

The last sentence is particularly exciting given OpticalLock’s market position: “While these designations of specific AIT are significant, USTRANSCOM is constantly working with the Services, DOD and the CCDRs to refine and adjust these requirements as technology breakthroughs and business processes dictate change.” We believe that the OpticalLock System is one of these “technology breakthroughs” which has the potential to significantly upgrade the existing ecosystem with a premium AIT device.

In the chart below taken directly from Chapter IV, OpticalLock fits very clearly within the Layer 4 AIT designation:

This Images Shows the Defense Transportation Automated Identification Technology Designations by Supply Chain Consolidation Layer

That’s Part I of our review of how OpticalLock fits within the US Department of Defense Transportation tracking requirements. In Part II of this analysis we’ll examine another important regulatory document: DTR 4500.9 – DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION REGULATION -PART II which pertains to CARGO MOVEMENT.

You can learn more about OpticalLock and our product line using these links. Please contact us to to explore how OpticalLock products can enhance your defense cargo security strategy today!