Freight Telematics Data: Assessing its Reliability for Disruption Analysis

Abstract: This study examines freight network resilience through the analysis of telematics data from Robinsight (EROAD) during three significant disruption events: the Oregon forest fires of 2020, Hurricane Florence in North Carolina in 2018, and the I-55 Mississippi River Bridge closure in 2024. By assessing freight movement patterns before, during, and after each event, the research identifies how freight networks respond to disruptions, how routes are adapted, and how traffic recovers over time. The EROAD dataset, which contains detailed freight trip information, enabled the segmentation of freight data into distinct time periods, revealing critical shifts in route usage and congestion. Utilizing Geographic Information Systems (GIS), the analysis provided spatial visualization of traffic density and bottlenecks, offering insights into how freight movement patterns were impacted during each disruption. The findings underscore the resilience and adaptability of freight networks but also highlight the extended effects of disruptions on transportation infrastructure and supply chain efficiency. This research contributes to the development of performance measures to help transportation agencies better evaluate and enhance network resilience. It also presents a framework that can guide future studies using telematics data to assess freight disruptions in other regions or under different conditions. Ultimately, the results aim to support infrastructure investment decisions, improve network preparedness for natural disasters and infrastructure closures, and strengthen the resilience of freight transportation systems to future disruptions.