The Impact of Truck Repositioning on Congestion and Pollution in the LA Basin

The use of inland ports is increasing, partly as a result of traffic congestion near ports such as Los Angeles and Long Beach. Repositioning routes, where trucks must be driven to inland ports for pick up and delivery, are examined to assess their impact on air pollution and traffic congestion in the Southern California region. Most drivers moving containers to and from the ports are employees or contractors of trucking companies and they reposition their trucks to and from the yards of the companies. Different repositioning and container distribution scenarios are modeled and analyzed for their impact on pollution. Findings show that inland ports such as Victorville have the potential to significantly reduce air pollution and traffic congestion in the immediate area of the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. They may also cause a dramatic increase in pollution and congestion in the region as a whole. To avoid such negative impacts, establishment of such ports must be done in cooperation and collaboration with trucking and warehouse companies.