Popular Trucking Terms series - I · Dispatcher University (Free)

Aug '25 (edited) • 💭 Chat

Popular Trucking Terms series - I

Hey Dispatch University Dispatchers,

Possibly, the most common thing I've been told by new dispatchers is that they don't have any experience. And, that they really want this. Our course covers everything we need to know to get started, up and running in a very short time. It is not uncommon to be making money in a matter of weeks. I want to do my part too. So, I thought of these terms that may help us all get more familiar with the dispatching and trucker lingo. Let me know if you like it. We're going to do it one alphabet at a time. This is the next one. The I's. I ask that you add any others that begin with I that you think are missing.

Icing Charge – The charge for adding ice to any time-sensitive, perishable freight either before or during transit.
IFTA (International Fuel Tax Agreement):A simplified system for calculating fuel taxes across different states and provinces, streamlining the process for commercial carriers who operate in multiple jurisdictions.
ILDM (International Logbook Device Management):This system is used for managing electronic logging devices (ELDs) and ensuring compliance with Hours of Service (HOS) regulations.
In Bond/In-bond shipment – 1) A shipment that is allowed to enter a country but is held temporarily for transport to a final destination where duties and taxes will be paid. 2) A shipment that has not yet cleared customs from being imported or exported.
Independent owner-operator: A truck driver who owns their own truck and may operate as a contractor for a trucking company.
Individual Shipper - Any person who is the shipper, consignor, or consignee of a household goods shipment identified as such in the bill of lading contract. The individual shipper owns the goods being transported and pays the transportation charges.
Interchange Agreement – A contract between two companies negotiating the switch of a trailer to pick up and deliver shipments. This is most common along border towns between countries.
Interline freight: Freight that is transported by two or more transportation lines from its origin to its destination.
Intermodal Transportation – 1) The term for shipments that require more than one type of transportation mode, such as ship and truck, truck and rail, etc. 2) Refers to shipping that utilizes more than one mode of transportation, such as trucks and trains, to move goods.
International Fuel Tax Agreement (IFTA) – An agreement among U.S. and Canadian jurisdictions created to simplify tax calculations for interstate and international carriers.
Interstate – 1) Shipments that travel between multiple states. 2) Occurs when cargo is transported between different states or countries.

Intrastate – 1) Shipments that pick up and deliver in the same state. 2) Transportation of goods within the same state.

Inventory - The number of units and/or value of the stock of goods a company holds.
IRP (International Registration Plan) - An agreement among states, Canadian provinces, and the District of Columbia that allows commercial vehicles to be registered in one jurisdiction and recognized for operation in others.
ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems) - See IVHS.
IVHS (Intelligent Vehicle Highway Systems)A blanket term for a wide array of technologies, including electronic sensors, computer hardware and software, and radio communications. The primary purpose of IVHS is to improve the efficiency of existing highways—reducing travel time, fuel consumption, air pollution, and accidents.

The five functional areas of IVHS are:

Advanced Public Transportation Systems (APTS) – Improves efficiency, reliability, and convenience of public transit.
Advanced Traffic Management Systems (ATMS) – Enhances traffic flow through real-time monitoring, control, and coordination.
Advanced Traveler Information Systems (ATIS) – Provides travelers with real-time information to make better route and mode choices.
Advanced Vehicle Control Systems (AVCS) – Enhances vehicle safety and performance through automated control and assistance systems.
Commercial Vehicle Operations (CVO) – Applies technology to improve safety, efficiency, and compliance in freight and commercial transport.

A more recently coined term, Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS), encompasses both IVHS and other modes of transportation beyond highways, such as rail, air, and maritime. (See also: AVI, AVL, WIM.)

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