Carriers: Few Communications Problems After Attack

(United Parcel Service) Handheld computers, like the one being held here by a UPS driver, were used to alert drivers in Manhattan about the World Trade Center attack.

All systems go.”

That is the operative phrase technology managers and executives at ground transportation and logistics firms are using to describe how their communications and e-business systems reacted in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 catastrophes in Washington, D.C., New York and Pennsylvania.

This was a time when regular telephone and cellular phone systems were overwhelmed by a sudden jump in calling volumes. Phone use remained unusually high for days.

But through that period, officials contacted by Transport Topics in the motor carrier, express delivery, logistics, trailer leasing and communications industries all said they noticed little if any interruption in voice or data communications within their businesses or with customers in the hours and days following the terrorist attacks.

For the full story, see the Sept. 24 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.