Available in March 2007, International Asset System’s automated Virtual Container Yard system will reduce costs, emissions and congestion by identifying thousands of “street turn” opportunities daily. International Asset Systems (IAS) has initiated development of the next generation of its Virtual Container Yard (VCY) system to be deployed nationwide from March 2007.The VCY describes the method by which empty containers are transitioned from import to export & domestic moves without first being returned to a terminal, rail ramp or container yard.The early VCY project was launched in the Midwest several years ago, and more recently IAS was awarded a contract to provide a VCY system for the Ports of Los Angeles, Long Beach and the Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority.IAS’ newly designed VCY service will provide: integration with ocean carriers’ equipment systems that would automatically update the VCY system with information about the availability of empty containers; business rules that filter information seen by each trucker; the rules would ensure that only designated truckers could view an ocean carrier’s containers; an automated, business rule-driven process for obtaining an ocean carrier’s approval to execute equipment transactions; filters that distinguish carrier-owned containers from leased equipment or units targeted for sale; carriers will be able to communicate lease off-hire or sale destination instructions to motor carriers; tie-ins with mobile technology, such as GPS-enabled cell phones, which truckers can use to update the system after pickups and deliveries; the GPS function would automatically show the trucker’s location ; automation to minimise manual keying and ensure ease of use for the motor carrier community; rules to ensure that container postings are matched in real time with off-dock equipment needs to cover genuine export bookings.According to IAS director of logistics, Paul Larking, although actual savings may vary from carrier to carrier, savings are generally projected to be approximately $200 per street turn or ‘re-use’ transaction when considering gate transaction costs, grounding, storage, equipment costs.IAS says that once VCY methods are broadly adopted in a given region, there may be as many as thousands of street turn opportunities identified by the system on a daily basis.