METRANS Researcher Discusses Study on Ports, Trucking and Improving Efficiency

Dr. Kristen Monaco, METRANS researcher and professor of economics at California State University, Long Beach is the guest on this month's METRANS Transcast. During the podcast she discusses her recent research into the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, the busiest container ports in the U.S. From the individual drivers to the drayage companies who control what containers go where to the port operators themselves, the various moving parts of the port system create a complex atmosphere -- and one prone to inefficiency.

The entire podcast is available online: http://www.metrans.org/TransCasts/2METRANSTranscast-KristenMonaco.mp3

Dr. Monaco's research looks into how these individual players operate within the port system and in what ways they might be able to improve their operating standards.

A few of the major issues discussed during the podcast:
-Pollution from aging and idling trucks
-Options for incentivizing truck improvement and replacement
-Long wait times within the terminal
-Organizational issues within the port

Dr. Monaco and her team surveyed many drivers outside the ports to hear their feedback and gauge their interest in a variety of issues. One of the surprising findings of those surveys among truck owner/operators is a willingness to pay for a significant amount of the costs associated with retrofitting or replacing their trucks to reduce emissions.

In this discussion, Dr. Monaco discusses her other findings and research into transportation issues at the port, and the challenges facing policymakers as they attempt to make the port a greener and more efficient operation.

Listen to the full discussion: http://www.metrans.org/TransCasts/2METRANSTranscast-KristenMonaco.mp3