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Dryad

Dataset: Spatiotemporal analysis of freight patterns in Southern California

Data files

Apr 24, 2020 version files 541.49 KB

Abstract

There has been general trend to shift the location of warehouses and distribution facilities away from consumer markets (logistics sprawl) in Southern California. This shift has a negative impact on cost and the environment because freight vehicles have to travel longer to reach their destinations. However, during the last decade, this trend has not continued at the same pace, and it may have even reversed. Two main factors potentially explain this phenomenon: the 2008-2009 economic slow-down, and an increase in e-commerce activity. E-commerce impacts are relevant for freight planning because of the changes in vehicle size to distribute smaller shipments at higher frequencies, consumer proximity requirements to improve delivery times, and the redistribution of freight activity and supply chain configurations.

This research conducted spatio-temporal analyses of Caltrans Weigh-in-Motion data to validate some of these assumptions. There is evidence that during 2003-2015, the short-haul volume has increased by 69%, whereas long-haul 59%. The analyses identified changes in concentrations of trip origins by vehicle evidencing changes in long-haul versus last-mile distribution patterns. The results can help estimate changes in vehicles miles traveled, and more importantly, identify the geographical areas of the most impacted communities.