More than a third of US container trade moves through the major seaports in California: the Ports of LA and Long Beach and the Port of Oakland. With bulk cargo included POLA/LB alone carry 40% of the nation’s imports and exports in 2024. This activity is a huge economic driver for California, but also a source of myriad problems arising from congestion, energy use, and their associated emissions. The explosive growth of e-commerce has only intensified the economic benefits and their costs, with warehousing and last-mile delivery driving near-immediate access to goods for millions while driving innovative business models that stretch regulatory boundaries to meet increasing demand.
ITS-Irvine is at the forefront of research addressing these issues. We analyze existing data to understand and model goods movement. We develop cutting-edge technologies to collect new data where it doesn’t exist. We explore the possibilities and benefits of shifting California’s trucks to zero-emissions drivetrains and automated control while also considering the challenges to such a shift and how the costs might impact California’s broader economy. Explore the projects, publications and experts below. Subtopics in this area include:
- Urban freight distribution
- Intermodal freight transport
- Logistics management and optimization
- Supply chain resilience and sustainability
- Data collection and modeling of goods movement
Lead Experts
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Recent Publications

New Insights from Satellite Data Show the Impact Trucks are Having on Communities in Southern California

What are the Public Health and Environmental Implications of Drayage Truck Electrification Targets in California?
