Planning, technology and flexibility are among the ways carriers mitigate delays when transporting freight though some of the country’s worst traffic bottlenecks.
Traffic congestion adds $109 billion to the cost of goods paid by consumers, according to the American Transportation Research Institute. But carriers can help counter that inefficiency with their own strategy, investments and telematics — along with input from ATRI research on transportation barriers.
Highlighting those efforts, ABF Freight, ITS Logistics and Schneider National recently shared with Trucking Dive their strategies to minimize delays due to traffic congestion.
Editor’s note: Responses were sent by email and edited for brevity and readability.
What mitigation strategies do you utilize to navigate through known problem traffic areas?
ABF Freight President Matt Godfrey: Optimizing our routes is a continual focus, and we plan for peak congestion both in city routes and linehaul planning. It's in our DNA to work through these challenges and leverage tools and technology to operate more efficiently. It's why we prioritized our City Route Optimization initiative, which saves $15 million annually and drives better customer experiences.
ITS Logistics Chief Commercial Officer Josh Allen: We focus on mitigating the downstream risks of congestion through proactive communication and visibility rather than attempting to control movement through bottlenecks. Our proprietary supply chain management platform, ITS Engage, offers real-time tracking, predictive ETAs, and early exception management that allow us to anticipate delays, maintain communication with shippers, and protect pickup and delivery windows.
In markets notorious for congestion and delays, working with shippers to develop more flexible and resilient operations is also an incredibly effective mitigation solution. Drop trailer programs, for example, provide a significant amount of flexibility. Keeping equipment on site allows shippers to avoid live load and unload, which can help protect delivery windows if a driver is delayed. For enhanced drop trailer programs like DropFleet that offer universal trailer pools, the benefits are even more pronounced, as trailers can be loaded without being assigned a carrier, allowing for seamless interchange of drivers if there is an extreme delay.
Schneider National: We use advanced planning, real‑time visibility, AI tools, and local expertise to stay ahead of traffic. Our teams track bottlenecks, adjust routes and schedules, and use driver feedback to make tactical changes that help us avoid peak congestion. This keeps service consistent for customers and minimizes delays for our drivers.
Does any optimization technology you use take known traffic congested areas into account when route planning?
Godfrey: Some of our route optimization strategies include leveraging historical data, structuring start times differently, and implementing primary or secondary routing options based on time of day and even real-time information. Our proprietary tech also weighs added miles versus faster transit times for optimal route decisions.
We'll continue to incorporate information like the ATRI study in our continuous improvement plans. Our focus is on meeting our customers' needs, helping our employees do their jobs more efficiently and ensuring our business stays prepared for what's ahead.
Allen: Rather than prescribing routes, we design our network around lane density and purposeful capacity utilization with highly vetted partners who understand every nook and cranny, consistently operating in the same regions and on the same lanes. That puts the expertise in the cab—carriers know the markets, understand recurring bottlenecks, and can navigate real-time conditions based on experience. This approach allows us to move freight with experienced drivers who anticipate and navigate real-time conditions.
Schneider National: Our route optimization tools incorporate historical congestion data, as well as real‑time traffic, weather, and road‑closure information. This allows us to generate the most efficient routes available at any given time. We continuously refine these models as new congestion trends emerge so our drivers are routed in a way that supports both productivity and safety.
