US Cities Adopt Innovations to Ease Supply Chain Gridlock

US Cities Adopt Innovations to Ease Supply Chain Gridlock

Four major US cities – New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Atlanta – are grappling with significant traffic congestion. In collaboration, Smart City and Supply Chain magazines delve into how these cities are leveraging technological innovation to combat congestion. The analysis includes New York's crowdsourced logistics, Chicago's rail freight hub redesign, Los Angeles' port efficiency improvements, Atlanta's technology-driven solutions, and the potential of drones in urban logistics. The report highlights various approaches to improve urban mobility and optimize supply chains within the context of smart city initiatives.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Los Angeles Long Beach Ports Face Congestion Amid Collaboration Efforts

Los Angeles Long Beach Ports Face Congestion Amid Collaboration Efforts

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are experiencing severe congestion due to a surge in throughput. Both ports are working collaboratively to mitigate the congestion by optimizing operations, improving landside transportation, and innovating with technology. These efforts aim to alleviate bottlenecks and improve the overall efficiency of the supply chain, ensuring smoother cargo flow and reduced delays. The collaborative approach is crucial for addressing the complex challenges posed by the increased demand and ensuring the long-term stability of the port operations.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Long Beach Port Buys Chassis to Reduce Congestion

Long Beach Port Buys Chassis to Reduce Congestion

To address port congestion caused by truck chassis shortages, the Port of Long Beach plans to purchase its own chassis and potentially establish a dedicated agency for management. This initiative aims to improve chassis utilization and allocation efficiency, thereby enhancing the port's overall competitiveness. However, potential risks such as financial pressure, management challenges, and conflicts with existing operational models will pose significant challenges for the Port of Long Beach. The success of this venture hinges on overcoming these obstacles and optimizing the new system.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Faas Pilot Fatigue Rule Exempts Cargo Carriers Stirring Debate

Faas Pilot Fatigue Rule Exempts Cargo Carriers Stirring Debate

The FAA issued new regulations aimed at improving passenger pilots' scheduling to ensure adequate rest. Cargo airlines received exemptions, sparking strong opposition from pilot associations, who argue that fatigued pilots pose a safety risk regardless of whether they carry passengers or cargo. Freight forwarding associations and UPS contend that differences exist between cargo and passenger operations, necessitating different fatigue mitigation measures. The debate highlights the ongoing tension between safety concerns and operational efficiency in the aviation industry, particularly regarding pilot fatigue management in air cargo operations.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

Data from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) shows a continued decline in North American intermodal volumes, though the rate of decrease is slowing. This downturn is attributed to a combination of macroeconomic conditions, internal industry factors, and geopolitical influences. IANA suggests that challenges and opportunities coexist, identifying cross-border trade as a potential growth area. Businesses need to transform and innovate, improve service quality and efficiency, expand service offerings, embrace technological innovation, and strengthen cooperation and collaboration to succeed in this evolving landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Carloads Drop As Intermodal Rises

US Rail Freight Carloads Drop As Intermodal Rises

The US rail freight market is diverging, with carload traffic declining while intermodal transportation is growing. Influenced by macroeconomic conditions and supply chain dynamics, railway companies need to enhance efficiency and innovation. The decline in carload shipments reflects shifts in commodity demand and production patterns. The rise of intermodal, involving truck-rail-truck transport, suggests a need for integrated logistics solutions. These trends highlight the importance of monitoring economic indicators and adapting to evolving market demands to maintain competitiveness and profitability in the rail freight sector.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

US Rail Freight Volumes Drop Amid Economic Slowdown

The Association of American Railroads reported a significant year-over-year decrease in U.S. rail freight and intermodal traffic for the week ending September 12th. This decline was influenced by Labor Day and substantial drops in carloads of metallic ores and petroleum products. Year-to-date figures show a decrease in carload traffic but a slight increase in intermodal volume. Railroad companies should pay close attention to the global economic situation, diversify their business portfolio, improve operational efficiency, and proactively respond to the energy transition.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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LA and Long Beach Ports Boost Supply Chain Green Efforts

LA and Long Beach Ports Boost Supply Chain Green Efforts

The Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are strengthening their collaboration to address global trade challenges by updating their cooperation agreement. This focuses on supply chain logistics, gateway marketing, environmental sustainability, security, and legislative advocacy. Initiatives include the launch of a 'gray chassis pool' to improve container transportation efficiency and plans for a stakeholder summit to resolve freight challenges. The ports are also continuing to advance the Clean Air Action Plan, aiming to create a more efficient, environmentally friendly, and secure port complex.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Oracle Cloud Boosts Digital Transformation in Logistics Sector

Oracle Cloud Boosts Digital Transformation in Logistics Sector

Oracle's new cloud initiative empowers partners to jointly build an intelligent logistics cloud. Upgrading the OPN program allows partners to launch cloud businesses with zero investment, helping logistics companies reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance data analytics capabilities. This initiative aims to accelerate cloud adoption in the logistics sector by providing a comprehensive platform and support system for partners to deliver innovative solutions. The focus is on enabling businesses to leverage the power of the cloud to optimize their supply chains and gain a competitive edge.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Photonpay Clearbank Partner to Transform UK Payments

Photonpay Clearbank Partner to Transform UK Payments

PhotonPay partners with ClearBank to enhance its payment capabilities in the UK market. By connecting to the UK's three major payment clearing networks, PhotonPay offers GBP collection, payee confirmation, and other features, improving transaction efficiency and security, and helping businesses expand in the UK. This collaboration also lays the foundation for PhotonPay's continued expansion in the European market. The partnership aims to streamline cross-border transactions and provide a more reliable and secure payment experience for businesses operating in or expanding into the UK.

01/29/2026 International Settlement
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