Centre for Urban Freight Analysis

At the Centre for Urban Freight Analysis, research is under way to develop the state of freight data in the Greater Toronto Area through data collection initiatives. This is an essential first step in developing behavioural models of decision-making by the various actors involved in the freight system, including shippers, carriers, and logistics firms. Armed with a better understanding of such behaviour, we are developing forecasting models of commercial vehicle movements that are sensitive to government policy, changes in logistics processes, and changes in the global and regional economy. Microsimulation of traffic, emissions and exposure to vehicle pollutants is another research thrust.

There is a strong need for such analytical tools and data to analyze the impacts of many policy decisions our government representatives and industry members make every day. Our goal is to influence those decisions, to result in a more sustainable, efficient and equitable urban transportation system.