Methodology for Deriving Cost Impact of Freight Bottlenecks on Trucking Industry

An approach for estimating the annual cost to the trucking industry of specific, severe freight bottlenecks cross tabulates independent research on truck travel time measures and operational cost data. With decreases in speed related to the actual costs experienced by the trucking industry when using congested roadways, marginal truck delay costs can be generated. An initial test of the methodology indicates that a sample bottleneck location in Atlanta, Georgia, that has severe congestion may cost the trucking industry $5.7 million more in operating costs annually than if trucks were able to traverse the area at a free-flow speed.