Every day, tens of thousands of commercial vehicles traverse the Portland metropolitan region. They range in size from small passenger cars, worker pickups and package delivery vans, to large tractor-trailers and other heavy-duty vehicles. They bring goods to stores, service providers to job sites, deliveries to businesses and homes, and exports to the nation and world. Their drivers provide an essential service to the region's economy and well-being.
But surprisingly little is known about the daily flow of these vehicles across the region – the challenges drivers face and how they handle them.
Beginning in June, a new study seeks to improve that knowledge to better inform transportation investment, policy and planning across the region and state by hearing directly from drivers about the trips they make in the region.
Co-led by the Oregon Department of Transportation and Metro, the study is the first of its kind in the region's transportation planning history. Organizers hope that at least 800 commercial drivers will participate.
Interested drivers and companies: pre-register
Commercial drivers and their companies will provide vital insight by reporting trips they make via a mobile app or an online form. They will be asked to share such information as starting point, destination and challenges experienced on the way. All data will remain secure, anonymous and confidential.
The experiences drivers and companies report will inform transportation planning efforts like the Regional Freight Plan, part of Metro's 2018 update of the Regional Transportation Plan, as well as numerous other statewide, regional and local planning efforts.
"Commercial vehicles are a crucial economic lifeblood for our region," said Metro Council President Tom Hughes. "The companies, drivers and operators who participate in this study will help us better understand their needs as we prepare our transportation system for the future."
Fred Meyer, Inc. is among the companies that have already signed up to participate in the study.
“Fred Meyer depends on reliable roads. On any given day, we have scores of trucks and vans out in the Portland region, serving customers at dozens of stores,” said Melinda Merrill, Fred Meyer manager of Community Affairs. “We’re glad to participate in this innovative study, which will help improve reliability for our drivers and our customers.”
Leaders from ODOT and the Port of Portland highlighted the study's potential to help inform investments to improve truck travel in the region.
“This effort will provide a great first step in our efforts to learn more about the day to day activities of truckers in the Portland area,” said Gregg Dal Ponte, administrator of ODOT’s Motor Carrier Division. “The more truckers who take part, the better ODOT and Metro can develop plans that make their work smoother and more efficient.”
“Oregon and Portland’s geographic location make it a key component of U.S. West Coast logistics, serving as a major hub for domestic and international freight movement,” said Bill Wyatt, executive director at the Port of Portland. “Trucking accounts for about 77 percent of freight moves, ensuring Oregon products desired by the rest of the world reach their final destination. This effort will improve our knowledge of system needs and hopefully, direct investments to improve the system our trucking industry relies on. “
Pre-register