The freight industry is rapidly evolving, driven by the growth of e-commerce, increasing demands on emergency mobility, and persistent challenges such as truck parking shortages. These issues are often overlooked but are critical to developing a resilient and efficient freight transportation system and shaping priorities for urban freight management. TRB will host a webinar on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM Eastern that explored strategies and innovations addressing these pressing freight mobility challenges. Presenters highlighted innovative approaches to mobility during emergencies, freight trip generation dynamics in urban settings, and the economic and operational costs of inadequate truck parking infrastructure.
This webinar was based on NCHRP Research Report 1115: Transporting Freight in Emergencies A Guide on Special Permits and Weight Requirements.
This webinar was sponsored by TRB’s National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the Standing Technical Committees on Freight Transportation Planning and Logistics and Disaster Response, Emergency Evacuations, and Business Continuity.
The slides are available. Please contact trbwebinar@nas.edu for a link to the recording. There may be a $90 fee.
 
Webinar agenda and presenters

• Which sector produces more freight trips? B2B or B2C? – José Holguín-Veras, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Addressing the Impacts and Costs of Truck Parking Shortages – Sebastian Guerrero, WSP and Janice Marino-Doyle, New Jersey Department of Transportation
• Transporting freight in emergencies: Special permits and weight requirements – Sushant Sharma, Texas A&M Transportation Institute
• Question and answer session moderated by Sushant Sharma, Texas A&M Transportation Institute

The first 60 minutes of the webinar were for presentations and the final 30 minutes were reserved for audience questions.
 
Learning Objectives
At the end of this webinar, participants can:

• Understand what works and does not work in emergencies in terms of freight mobility of overweight loads
• Apply actionable strategies for a more sustainable and resilient freight system

 
Professional Development Hours
This webinar was delivered as a scheduled – e-learning live event and is categorized within RCEP as Technical, Health and Safety.
Professional Development Hours (PDHs) earned on completion of this program were reported to the Registered Continuing Education Program (RCEP). Certificates of Completion are issued to all participants via the RCEP.net online system. Complaints about registered providers may be addressed to RCEP, 1015 15th Street, NW, 8th Fl., Washington, DC, 20005.