Measures of Freight Network Resiliency During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Recent headlines depict significant shifts in operations within the freight community in particular, e.g., HOS laws suspended at a national level for the first time in 82 years1; national carriers shifting operations completely to grocery supply chains2; fleet operators laying off employees in response to manufacturing closures3.  As a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic, there is a great need to capture freight movement data (not otherwise collected) to measure the effects of the COVID-19 response and recovery practices on freight network resiliency.  In this project, we consider an expanded definition of the freight network, beyond roads and warehouses, to include truck drivers and driver support systems.  

Driver support systems include physical infrastructure like public and private rest stops as well as operational protections like Hours of Service (HOS). COVID-19 responses by public agencies and private citizens have affected drivers and driver support systems by three mechanisms. First, increased demand for medical supplies, food and packaged goods creates a need for more trucks and drivers, and the increased need for quick shipments promotes an environment in which speeding and unsafe driving practices may prevail.  Second, with HOS restrictions lifted by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) driver fatigue may occur at greater frequency leading to unsafe driving conditions and higher likelihood of accidents.  Third, the effects of social distancing mandates can lead to closures of critical, but oft forgotten, freight infrastructure like rest areas and truck stops, leaving drivers without necessary rest opportunities. While any single mechanism has detrimental effects on driver health and safety, the economy, and national recovery efforts, when combined, the system can be pushed to failure. Pandemic responses have only exacerbated critical industry issues like driver shortages, lack of available parking, and HOS compliance issues stemming from electronic logbooks.   The purpose of this work was to develop and implement a driver health and safety survey during the pandemic.