DOT Certified

MC424900

40+ years

Combined Experience in the Industry

Fully Insured

Including $100K Cargo

Specialize in hauling general freight, refrigerated goods—including fresh produce, meat, beverages, and paper products

R.A. Martin Transport Inc. is an intrastate & interstate common carrier headquartered in Louisville, KY, operating since March 2002  with active DOT authority (USDOT 1009192, MC 424900)

Dependable Freight Transport
Over 20 years of safe, reliable, and on-time delivery.

Trucking with Integrity, Backed by Experience

Since 2002, R.A. Martin Transport Inc. has been committed to delivering freight with care, precision, and punctuality. Based in Louisville, Kentucky, we are a family-owned carrier known for personalized service and a spotless safety record. You can count on us for dependable service support and professional accounting.

My trucking journey began back in February 1978, when my cousin Eddie hoisted me into the cab of a cabover International with a 238 Detroit and a 13-speed, pulling a 48-foot dry van full of office furniture. That first run to Chicago was where I learned to drive a semi—and I’ve been truckin’ ever since.

Over the past 47 years, I’ve hauled dump trailers, dry vans, and refrigerated freight, but reefers have always been my specialty. From long hauls to tight schedules, I’ve done it all behind the wheel.

In 1995, I expanded into the logistics side of things with a transportation brokerage, which overlapped with the launch of our common carrier authority in 2002. By September 2025, we’ll officially mark 30 years in business as R.A. Martin Transport Inc.

These days, my focus is on day cab shuttle runs within 50 miles, yard dog switching, and trailer storage services. It’s work that keeps freight moving and operations flowing for warehouses, manufacturers, and distribution centers.

Through the years, R.A. Martin has built strong relationships with insurance providers, repair shops, tire services, recovery teams, sales and rental vendors, and developed deep expertise in DOT compliance, highway use taxes, and licensing.

Before you take all that on yourself, give R.A. Martin a call—we’ll do our best to meet your needs.

So whether you need a shuttle, a switch, or space for storage, I invite you to give us a shot.

My name is Russ Martin, and I proudly stand behind everything we do. If you'd like to know more or schedule a service, please reach out through this website.

Thank you for visiting—and safe travels.

Shuttle Services

Shuttle services involve the short-distance movement of trailers, containers, or freight between two fixed points—often within the same metro area or logistics zone.

Typically used to connect warehouses, manufacturing plants, or distribution centers that are a few miles apart.

Shuttle runs are scheduled or FCFS, enabling businesses to move inventory efficiently without relying on full over-the-road (OTR) delivery logistics.

They offer a cost-effective solution for "last mile" trailer repositioning, JIT (Just-in-Time) deliveries, or daily inter-facility transfers.

Shuttle drivers are often dedicated to specific lanes or clients, ensuring familiarity and consistency in service.

Typical Range: 5–50 miles (short-haul)

Fleet Used: Day cabs or yard trucks with dry van, reefer, or flatbed trailers

Schedule Options: Hourly, daily, or fixed-time transfers (e.g., 3x per day)

Common Loads: Palletized inventory, finished goods, parts/components, empty trailers

Cost Advantage: Often cheaper than using OTR carriers or LTL providers for repeated local trips

Spotting Services

Spotting is the process of moving trailers within a freight yard, warehouse lot, or distribution center using specialized yard trucks (also known as jockey trucks or spotter trucks).

It’s a critical part of warehouse logistics, helping to ensure that trailers are positioned at the correct dock doors for loading or unloading.

Spotting improves efficiency by reducing driver wait times, minimizing bottlenecks, and keeping the freight yard organized.

Spotter drivers are typically on-site full-time or on-call, handling trailer shuttling, repositioning, and staging.

These services help large facilities operate smoothly and maximize dock utilization.

Spotter Trucks (or yard jockeys) are designed for tight maneuvering, featuring 360° visibility, automatic hitches, and hydraulic lifts.

Spotting is ideal for high-volume yards that need constant trailer repositioning without tying up OTR drivers.

Can be performed 24/7 or during peak operational hours, depending on facility needs.

Reduces detention time for incoming freight haulers, improving turnaround and carrier satisfaction.



Spotters can also perform basic trailer inspections, seal checks, and paperwork handling when needed.

Storage Trailers

Storage trailers are mobile, ground-level units that offer secure, temporary storage for commercial or industrial use.

Commonly used for seasonal inventory overflow, construction site tools, or temporary warehouse space.

They are weather-resistant, lockable, and easily relocated—ideal for businesses that need flexibility.

Storage trailers are typically 48 to 53 feet long, providing up to 3,500+ cubic feet of usable space.

Trailer Lengths: 28’, 40’, 48’, and 53’ are the most common sizes.

Dock-Height: Allows loading from a loading dock or forklift, unlike ground-level containers.

Dry Van Style: Most storage trailers are dry vans—sealed against the elements and designed for non-refrigerated goods.

Permits: No permits required since trailers are mobile and not permanent structures.

Uses: Retail overflow, job site storage, warehouse expansion, moving buffer space, and event logistics.

Yard Management

Yard management is the coordination and control of trailer movement, inventory, and staging within a freight yard or distribution lot.

It ensures the right trailer is in the right place at the right time, optimizing loading dock access, reducing delays, and streamlining operations.

Yard management involves spotting, shuttling, gate control, check-in/check-out, and real-time trailer tracking.

A well-managed yard helps avoid congestion, minimize detention time, and improve the overall efficiency of supply chain logistics.

It's especially valuable for high-traffic facilities with frequent trailer movement and complex dock scheduling needs.

Core Functions: Trailer spotting, gate management, check-in/out logging, equipment tracking, and dock scheduling

Tools Used: Simple Google Sheets Database Software that is shared and updated in real time.

Result: Reduced detention fees, faster loading cycles, fewer operational bottlenecks

Compliance: Supports inventory visibility and regulatory compliance through accurate logging and traceability

Yard management can be outsourced to logistics providers (like R.A. Martin) for greater scalability and efficiency