Dataset: Spatiotemporal analysis of freight patterns in Southern California

There has been general trend to shift the location of warehouses and
distribution facilities away from consumer markets (logistics sprawl) in
Southern California. This shift has a negative impact on cost and the
environment because freight vehicles have to travel longer to reach their
destinations. However, during the last decade, this trend has not
continued at the same pace, and it may have even reversed. Two main
factors potentially explain this phenomenon: the 2008-2009 economic
slow-down, and an increase in e-commerce activity. E-commerce impacts are
relevant for freight planning because of the changes in vehicle size to
distribute smaller shipments at higher frequencies, consumer proximity
requirements to improve delivery times, and the redistribution of freight
activity and supply chain configurations. This research conducted
spatio-temporal analyses of Caltrans Weigh-in-Motion data to validate some
of these assumptions. There is evidence that during 2003-2015, the
short-haul volume has increased by 69%, whereas long-haul 59%. The
analyses identified changes in concentrations of trip origins by vehicle
evidencing changes in long-haul versus last-mile distribution patterns.
The results can help estimate changes in vehicles miles traveled, and more
importantly, identify the geographical areas of the most impacted
communities.