CEE Seminar (ZOOM): Mitigating the Impacts of Freight Activity: Technology, Operations, Planning and Policy

Abstract: This presentation examines various social and environmental impacts of freight activity and using Southern California as a case study explores technology and operational improvement strategies, as well as the important role of policy and planning. Specifically, the presentation examines research findings about new trends in freight flows and freight activity that may exacerbate potential negative impacts on communities. Focusing on freight movements in transit (e.g., truck movements) and at destinations (e.g., warehouses and distribution centers), the presentation shows the potential benefit of cleaning up the vehicles, implementing better routing with existing vehicle technologies, and using approaches such as geofencing and carbon charging to reduce externalities, especially those disproportionally affecting vulnerable communities. The discussion will also highlight policy and planning pathways for implementation (e.g., incentives for zero-emission vehicles), and how existing and recent regulations may need to consider the dynamic patterns of freight to maximize benefits.

Bio: Miguel Jaller is an associate professor and vice chair of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and co-director of the Sustainable Freight Research Program at UC Davis. He received his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in industrial engineering from Universidad del Norte, Colombia, and his M.E. in transportation engineering, M.Sc. in applied mathematics, and Ph.D. in transportation engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His research is highly multidisciplinary and analyzes the societal and private impacts of transport and logistics operations, technology and policies to develop tools to achieve a sustainable transportation system. His research interests include sustainable transportation systems, freight transportation and logistics, distaster response logistics, and operations research. Jaller leads important research projects funded by the National Center for Sustainable Transportation; the Center for Transportation, Environment, and Community Health; and the Pacific Southwest Region University Transportation Centers. He also conducts projects for state and federal agencies and organizations such as the California Department of Transportation, the Air Resources Board and Resources for the Future, among others.