Research

Project Number:
05-12

Research Project:
Evaluation of Extended Gate Operations at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

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
1250 Bellflower Boulevard
Long Beach, CA 90840
Tel.:(562) 296-1173
Fax:(562) 296-1171
Email: tobrien@csulb.edu

Project Objective:
The purpose of this research is to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of extended gate operations at the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports.Under continued pressure to adjust operations in ways that mitigate traffic and air quality impacts of port operations and in response to threatened regulatory legislation, terminal operators have agreed to implement a voluntary program of extended gate hours.The proposed program is called PierPass, and it is scheduled to begin sometime in early 2005.It will assess a Traffic Mitigation Fee on all containers moved between 8 AM and 5 PM. The fees are intended to defray the costs of extended operations at the ports. A special purpose entity, established by the terminal operators and known as PierPass, Inc., will administer the program.

The movement of goods during evenings and weekends is seen as an opportunity to reduce daytime congestion on local highways, thereby reducing pollution. It also has the potential to increase the throughput of the terminals, which have struggled to cope with increased container volume and labor shortages. A few terminals already offer extended gates; PierPass is a move toward standardizing practices at all 13 container terminals at the two ports.

The extended gate evaluation will include the following:1) descriptive analysis of extended gate operations and their role in the supply chain; 2) analysis of the use of extended hours by truckers and their clients; 3) assessment of extended hours impact on terminal throughput and queuing; 4) estimation of traffic impacts of PierPass; 5) institutional analysis of the development, implementation and use of the PierPass program; 6) overall assessment.

PierPass is the second major attempt within an 18-month period to mitigate the impacts of truck traffic and emissions on the surrounding community. A truck appointment system designed to limit vehicle idling at the terminal gates began in July 2003, also in response to legislative initiative.Both appointments and extended gates are expected to contribute to improved port efficiency, an issue of growing regional and national concern.Experiences at the Los Angeles/Long Beach ports will provide insight on whether operational strategies are effective in solving goods movement related impacts in metropolitan areas.

The proposed project builds on Metrans project 04-06, which is evaluating the truck appointment system.Research conducted under 04-06 provides both extensive background material and a baseline for a before/after analysis of the PierPass program.As with 04-06, selected members of the CITT Policy Steering Committee will serve on a project advisory panel.This project falls within the goods movement and international trade focus area.

Task Descriptions:
1. Descriptive Analysis:Extended Gate Operations and the Role in the Suply Chain (1 month)
2. Analysis of Use of Extended Hours by Truckers and Clients (3 months)
3. Assessment of the Impact of Extended Hours on Terminal Throughput and Queuing (5 months)
4. Estimation of Traffic Impacts of PierPass (5 months)
5. Institutional Analysis of the Development, Implementation and Use of PierPass (6 months)
6.Overall Assessment and Research Products (2 months)

Milestones, Dates:
April 1, 2005 - March 31, 2006

Total Budget:
$149,280

Student Involvement:
Two Students @ 25% effort,12 months, USC
Two Students @ $15.00/hr, 480 hours

Relationship to Other Research Projects:
Related to 99-10, 03-18, 04-06; part of goods movement and international trade focus area

Technology Transfer Activities:
Project report will be posted on the website; project advisory panel; present results to local agencies and industries

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

Enabling Research:
4c.9 Energy and environment

Modal Orientation:
Highway, maritime