CITT News

Researchers, policymakers, and practitioners from around the world gathered for the 2022 METRANS International Urban Freight Conference (I-NUF) in Long Beach, California. The biannual event provided a critical forum for a diversity of stakeholders to showcase their research, engage in dialogue, and share information across all sectors of the industry. 

Over three informative days, a comprehensive assortment of presentations and special sessions surveyed topics including last mile pickup and delivery, urban modeling and planning, technology, automation, changing consumption and production, spatial organization, and best practices. After an introduction from outgoing METRANS Director Geneveive Giuliano, CSULB’s Associate Vice President and Dean of the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPaCE) Jeet Joshee and Incoming METRANS Director and Professor/Chair of the USC Department of Urban Planning and Spatial Analysis Marlon Boarnet welcomed the audience. 

In addition to the organizing efforts of Conference Coordinator Ariella Copeland, Assistant to the Executive Director Marisa Eide, and Research Associate Naomi Suzuki, CITT’s team also showcased the Center’s ongoing research. Director of Research and Workforce Development Tyler Reeb presented the findings of a collaborative paper written in collaboration with other CSULB academics, including Associate Professor Gwen Shaffer (Department of Journalism and Public Relations), Lecturer Hossein Jula (College of Engineering), and Professor Anastasios Chassiakos (College of Engineering) in “Using artificial intelligence to improve traffic flows with consideration of data privacy principles.” CITT Executive Director Tom O’Brien, Guest Lecturer at CITT's Global Logistics Professional (GLP) program Biju Kewalram, and Research Assistants Anh Vu and Jared Paz, additionally presented on the “Gamification of Urban Freight.”

Attendees also had the opportunity to participate in an interactive tour at the Santa Monica Zero Emissions Delivery Zone Pilot Program, hosted by the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI). The group also made a stop at Total Transportation Services (TTSI), a trucking and logistics company driving sustainable operations. 

Click here to view the event’s full agenda. I-NUF is sponsored by the METRANS Transportation Consortium, California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. D.O.T.), Volvo Research and Educational Foundation (VREF), and other METRANS Associate Partners, including the Port of Long Beach, LA Metro, the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), Metrolink, Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Majestic Realty Co., Nixon Peabody LLP, WSP, and the Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA). Other conference sponsors this year included the Federal Highway Administration, International Longshore Warehouse Union, Majestic Realty, Fehr & Peers, Yusen Terminals, Alameda Corridor Transportation Authority, Watson Land Company, Cargomatic, Los Angeles Clean Tech Incubator, Harbor Trucking Association, and Dialed-In Partners.