One of the key challenges impacting the flow of traffic along our nation’s highway and roadway network relates to the efficiency, coordination and resilience of our intermodal freight logistics network. The industry currently lacks a centralized database for tracking freight movements across different modes – trucks, rail and ports – making it difficult to predict and optimize logistics operations. Meanwhile, some companies often operate in silos, limiting collaboration and visibility into shipment flows.
To help overcome these challenges and break down silos where they exist, I recently joined the Industry Advisory Board (IAB) for a study being conducted through the Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E), an independent agency consisting of energy scientists, technologists, entrepreneurs, engineers and other industry visionaries who have a shared goal of improving the global energy landscape.
This IAB was born out of freight industry inefficiencies that became most apparent during the COVID-19 pandemic and recent extreme weather events. In these instances, supply chains faltered under unexpected disruptions, providing consumers, businesses and policymakers alike a new appreciation for the complexities of freight movement.
The ARPA-E Initiative: Laying the Groundwork for Innovation
ARPA-E has provided funding to a research team led by the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, with key contributions from the University of California, Irvine – experts I have previously had the privilege of collaborating with. Our advisory board plays a role akin to a board of directors: providing guidance, seeing that the research remains practical and applicable, and helping define the core problems that a digital freight coordination tool – one that integrates trucks, rail and eventually advanced air mobility – should address.
A recent kickoff meeting has set the stage for exploration. The questions at hand: What are the biggest pain points in freight logistics today? How do we define a solution that industry stakeholders will find valuable? How do we develop real-world use cases to test the tool?
The Role of Technology and Policy in Freight Logistics
One of the biggest hurdles for progress in this realm is no longer the technology. It’s the willingness of companies to share data. The rise of connected vehicles, broadband expansion and intelligent transportation systems (ITS) means we have the tools to track and optimize freight movement. The question is: How do we encourage industry players to participate? This is where policy solutions become crucial. As a strategic advisor working with autonomous vehicle companies and public agencies, I understand the importance of shaping policies that enable technological adoption while addressing business concerns.
In addition to technology development, our work will also explore policy frameworks that facilitate information-sharing between freight operators, policymakers and logistics providers. Engaging stakeholders from the planning, broadband and regulatory sectors is essential in making this project viable at scale.
Moving Forward: A Smarter, More Resilient Freight System
This ARPA-E initiative is not just about creating a new digital tool – it’s about reimagining how freight moves in the United States. By leveraging technology, industry collaboration and smart policymaking, we can build a logistics network that is more efficient, resilient and adaptable to the challenges of the modern world. The freight industry is on the brink of transformation, and through this study, we can lay the foundation for a more intelligent, interconnected and sustainable future.
