Project Number:
04-06
Research Project:
Evaluation of the Terminal Gate Appointment System at the Los Angeles/Long Beach Ports
P.I. Name & Address:
Genevieve Giuliano
School of Policy, Planning, and Development
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA 90089-0626
Tel:(213) 740-3956
Fax:(213) 740-0001
Email: giuliano@usc.edu
Thomas O'Brien
Center for International Trade & Transportation (CITT)
California State University, Long Beach
Long Beach, CA 90840
Tel:(562) 296-1173
Fax:(562) 296-1171
Project Objective:
The purpose of this research is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the appointment system demonstration at the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports.The appointment system was implemented in response to California Assembly Bill (AB) 2650, which seeks to reduce truck queuing at the ports' terminal gates and associated vehicle emissions.In addition, port-related truck movements tend to be concentrated in time, leading to high volumes of truck movements on the region's highways during peak daytime hours.A smoother distribution of truck movements across the day should therefore reduce both delays at the port and on the highway system.The evaluation will include the following:1) descriptive analysis of terminal gate hours in the context of the cargo movement process; 2) analysis of the use of the appointment system by terminal operators and truckers; 3) assessment of the impacts of the appointment system on cargo throughput and queuing; 4) institutional analysis of the implementation and results of the appointment system; 5) overall assessment.The research will include in-depth interviews of stakeholders, surveys of trucking companies, and extensive field data collection to document appointment system impacts.
Efficiency of port operations is of growing regional and national concern.Metropolitan areas with major ports or that serve as major transshipment centers have experienced large increases in truck traffic, congestion, and air pollution.The lack of transport system capacity, as well as local community opposition, have motivated a search for solutions to mitigate trade-related impacts through more efficient management of the supply chain, including port operations.Experiences at the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports will provide insight on whether terminal gate strategies are effective in solving goods movement related impacts on metropolitan areas.
The proposed project complements ongoing Metrans funded applied research projects at CSULB, as well as current research project 03-18 (Ioannou and Chassiakos) and will be coordinated with these projects.To facilitate stakeholder involvement and support, selected members of the Center for International Trade and Transportation (CITT) Policy and Steering Committee will serve on a project advisory panel.This project falls within the goods movement and international trade focus area.
Project Poster
Task Descriptions:
1. Literature Review.(1 month)
2. Descriptive Analysis:Implementation and Use of Appointment System.(3 months)
3. Analysis of Appointment System Use.(5 months)
4. Analysis of Wait Times.(5 months)
5. Institutional Analysis (6 months)
6. Research Products (2 months)
Milestones, Dates:
January 5, 2004 - January 4, 2005
Total Budget:
$142,289
Student Involvement:
Two Students @ 25% time for 12 months (USC)
Two Students @ 25% time for 5 months (CSULB)
One Student @ $15.00/hr., 200 hours
Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Related to 99-10, 03-18; part of goods movement and international trade
Technology Transfer Activities:
Project report will be posted on the website; advisory panel participation, present results to local agencies and industry
Potential Benefits of the Project:
Improved port operations
TRB Keywords:
Port operations, goods movement
Primary Subject:
4b.1 Measurement, characterization and modeling of system performance and impacts measurement
Goals:
Economic growth and trade mobility
Enabling Research:
None
Modal Orientation:
Highway, maritime
