New Access to Truck Stop Data for Transportation Planners and Operators

Real-World Data on Truck Stops: A New Tool for Infrastructure Operators

In a significant move for the transportation industry, Altitude by Geotab has broadened its partnership with the Center for Advanced Transportation Technology Laboratory (CATT Lab) at the University of Maryland. This collaboration will integrate Altitude's advanced Stop Analytics module directly into the RITIS platform, which stands as the largest transportation data analytics resource globally.

Enhancing Access to Vital Data

With this new integration, transportation departments and planning organizations will have seamless access to invaluable data on the activities of over six million commercial vehicles. This includes insights into truck stopping locations, duration of stops, and vehicle classifications—all presented within the familiar RITIS analytics environment. This significant development addresses the pressing need for reliable, real-world data as many states are likely to fall short of their road and bridge construction objectives. A recent analysis by the Pew Charitable Trust revealed that while a substantial $350 billion funding opportunity exists due to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, the infamous lack of actionable data insights threatens this investment potential.

Addressing the Truck Parking Crisis

As truck parking becomes an increasingly urgent issue, the integration of Altitude's Stop Analytics within RITIS could not come at a more critical time. With the Truck Parking Safety Improvement Act allowing for more comprehensive infrastructure planning, agencies throughout the country now possess the means to tackle the overwhelming truck parking demands. Altitude’s data enables transportation agencies to pinpoint hot spots of parking demand, assess peak times for usage, and determine the types of vehicles most affected. This capability is invaluable for implementing effective strategies and solutions.

"Transportation agencies require data that genuinely reflects the movement of freight instead of relying on theoretical models," explained Nathaniel Veeh, an Assistant Vice President at Altitude by Geotab. He added, "With RITIS being instrumental to key transportation decisions, our collaboration enables planners and analysts to obtain commercial vehicle intelligence that's previously been unavailable to them."

A Vision for the Future

In 2024, U.S. fleets were reported to have moved an astonishing 11.27 billion tons of freight, generating $906 billion in revenue for the trucking industry. This statistic highlights the sheer magnitude of logistics and transport in driving the economy, signifying the necessity for informed decision-making in transportation planning. For those in charge of turning these statistics into actionable plans, the integration with RITIS signifies a new era of enhanced insights.

Michael Pack, Director of the CATT Lab, expressed enthusiasm about the integration process. He noted that for transportation agencies reliant on RITIS, this enhancement enhances their planning capabilities significantly, especially concerning freight logistics and truck parking infrastructure investments.

Conclusion

Overall, the partnership expansion between Altitude by Geotab and CATT Lab is poised to improve the efficiency and safety of transportation networks across the nation. By providing critical real-world data, this integration aims to create a more sustainable and practical approach to handling the growing demands of freight transportation. For further information regarding this impactful partnership, organizations can visit Altitude’s partnership page.

Company Overview

Altitude by Geotab operates as a premier provider of advanced mobility insights and solutions. Based in Oakville, Ontario, and Atlanta, Georgia, the company specializes in enabling effective decision-making for public and commercial sectors across North America. Through robust data analytics, Altitude delivers insights that help improve roadway usage, resulting in improved financial outcomes while upholding privacy.

CATT Lab, operating under the University of Maryland, serves as an innovation hub, delivering critical transport data and insights through RITIS. This unique interface aggregates various data sources, making it foundational for countless transportation professionals and agencies.