ITS Freight Conference Focuses on Fleets

John Estrada

Last week ITS America held the first of three symposiums it will host this year on transportation technology.  This one was held aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach Harbor, a very appropriate location for a symposium on freight.  Together with the adjacent Los Angeles Harbor this is the largest harbor in the U.S.

Much of the discussion was by California government officials and system providers on the needs of the fleet community. The focus was on upcoming technologies, and the role of government and the industry in implementing these technologies.

The most interesting speaker was Randy Mullett, vice president of government relations and public affairs for Con-way, Inc., the $5.8 billion freight transportation and logistics services firm.  Mr. Mullet assured the audience that leaders in the industry weren’t dummies and that they were already taking many measures to optimize costs. He went through a number of practical items that make for real challenges in the industry.

From a driverless technology perspective, the most interesting panel was the one focused on how technology will shape the next generation of transportation systems.  Dr. Steven Shladover from the University of California PATH program, reiterated his belief that full driverless technology won’t be available in our lifetimes (can’t say we agree with him on that).  Much of the discussion was on the benefits that platooning will provide.  The panel, including Peloton founder and CIO Dave Lyons, agreed that this would happen soon but in phases. In the near term, all vehicles will have drivers and those drivers will do the steering.

All in all it was a good show and we’re looking forward to the ITS America Annual Meeting in Pittsburgh at the end of May.

Photo by Center for Environment, Commerce & Energy; Port of Long Beach, Calif.