PierPass Will Retain Consultant to Evaluate Extended Gate Options

Posted on May 12, 2017 by admin

LONG BEACH, Calif., May 12, 2017—PierPass will retain a transportation consulting firm to evaluate the operational, business and traffic impacts of two alternative models for providing extended hours for truck gates at the marine terminals in the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

The PierPass Advisory Committee (PPAC) and the Extended Gates Subcommittee met last week to review industry feedback received on two alternative models to the current OffPeak program and to identify key issues for the consultant to investigate.

The May 4 meeting continued a process that began at the Extended Gates Workshop held on Oct. 20, 2016, when the 13 marine terminals that comprise the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) met with more than 70 leaders representing importers, exporters, trucking companies, logistics providers, government representatives, port authorities and other stakeholders.

Since then, the PPAC has held a series of meetings to review proposed models and make a recommendation to WCMTOA, which is responsible for deciding on any changes to the OffPeak program.

The three alternatives initially proposed were variable and dynamic pricing, under which the Traffic Mitigation Fee would be higher in times of high gate activity and lower in times of low gate activity; a lower flat fee applying to both day and night moves, with appointment systems to help regulate traffic flow; and port-wide peel-off, in which trucks would operate like taxis in an airport queue. Variable and dynamic pricing was subsequently eliminated from consideration. For more information on these models, see https://goo.gl/Vxi89y.

Since the Oct. 20 meeting, the following steps occurred:

On Nov. 3, detailed notes from the Oct. 20 meeting, including pros and cons of each model, were distributed to PPAC members and additional feedback was requested. Those notes became the original basis for the recommendations report being developed by the PPAC.
The PPAC met on Dec. 8 to begin developing the recommendations report. Participants reviewed industry feedback received and offered additional points of view. At this meeting, the variable and dynamic pricing model was removed from consideration as it had received no industry support.
On Feb. 1, an initial version of the recommendations report drafted by PierPass staff was distributed to PPAC for review and feedback.
The PPAC met on Feb. 22 to review the initial draft and collect feedback. At that meeting, participants discussed the need to bring in a third-party consultant to analyze the ideas under consideration, due to the complexity and possible side effects of these changes.
On March 15, a revised draft of the report was sent to the Extended Gates Subcommittee for review and feedback. This draft included the recommendation to hire an industry consultant.
Committee members submitted input by April 14.
On May 4, PPAC and the Extended Gates Subcommittee met to review the recommendations, develop the scope of work to be included in a Request for Proposal (RFP) for consulting firms, and take recommendations for specific consulting firms.

Participants in the May 4 meeting agreed that the consultant should define and maintain a strict schedule of meetings and reports. The group will endeavor to have the RFP released within the next two months. The RFP may request deliverables such as:

Evaluation of the ability of a port-wide appointment system to maintain a roughly even split between day and night traffic.
Recommendations on how dual transactions (dropping off one container and picking up another during a single truck visit) could be facilitated under each alternative system.
Recommendations for handling regulatory, compliance and other challenges to implementing a port-wide peel-off system.

The PierPass Advisory Committee includes more than 25 leaders representing cargo owners, trucking companies, brokers, terminal operators and other stakeholders. The Extended Gates Subcommittee includes 15 additional industry stakeholders who volunteered at or after the Oct. 20 meeting.

PierPass launched the OffPeak program in 2005 to reduce severe cargo-related congestion on local streets and highways around the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Using a congestion pricing model, PierPass charges a Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) on weekday daytime cargo moves to incentivize cargo owners to use the OffPeak shifts on nights and Saturdays. The TMF also helps pay for the labor and other costs of operating the OffPeak shifts.

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PierPass January 2017 Newsletter

Posted on January 31, 2017 by admin

The year ended at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach with terminal yards free of congestion, and with cargo moving efficiently in and out of the terminals and on nearby freeways, during both shifts.

Average in-terminal turn time in December 2016*:
42.9 minutes day shift
46.2 minutes night shift
*11 of 13 terminals reporting

For comparison, the average in-terminal turn time in November was 45.2 minutes for the day shift and 47.2 minutes for the night shift.

In-terminal turn time is the average amount of time a truck is inside a terminal to complete a transaction. Truck activity information is derived from RFID data, and excludes lunch hour, breaks and trouble tickets. Turn time at individual terminals will vary depending on time of day and other factors. For more information about turn times and how we measure them, please see our Q&A at http://goo.gl/PiOjBp.

Average daily moves per truck in December:
5 or more moves per day: 7%
4 moves per day: 13%
3 moves per day: 29%
2 moves per day: 33%
1 move per day: 18%

Gate moves during Peak and OffPeak shifts in December:
Total Peak gate moves: 403,107 (58%)
Total OffPeak gate moves: 289,659 (42%)

A gate move occurs when a container enters or leaves a marine terminal via the truck gates. Peak shifts are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. OffPeak shifts are weeknights from 6:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m. and on Saturdays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Note:
All terminals were closed on Sunday, Dec. 25, for the Christmas holiday, and some terminals were closed for one or both shifts on Monday, Dec. 26.

PierPass December 2016 Newsletter

Posted on December 30, 2016 by admin

Evaluation of Extended Gate Options Continues

On Dec. 8, members of the PierPass Advisory Committee met to continue the process of evaluating potential alternatives to the current extended gates model used at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach under the OffPeak Program.

The process began on Oct. 20, when the 13 container terminals that comprise the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) met in San Pedro with more than 70 leaders representing importers, exporters, trucking companies, logistics providers, government representatives and other stakeholders.

At the Dec. 8 meeting, the PierPass Advisory Committee reviewed the feedback received at the Oct. 20 meeting, and members offered their points of view on the benefits and challenges of the three alternative models. During the Dec. 8 meeting, the first option – variable and dynamic pricing – received no support from Committee members, echoing the cool reception it received at the Oct. 20 workshop. This option has been removed from consideration.

During the remainder of the Dec. 8 meeting, attendees offered detailed feedback on the “flat fee tied to an appointment” and “port-wide peel-off” options.

An initial draft report will now be prepared by PierPass staff, which the Advisory Committee will review and meet to discuss in February. The subsequent revision of the report will go to the Extended Gates Subcommittee for review and feedback in March. PierPass is scheduled to distribute the final draft of the Extended Gates Report and Recommendations in mid-April, and a follow-up to the Extended Gates Workshop has been scheduled for early May.

Average in-terminal turn time in November 2016*:
45.2 minutes day shift
47.2 minutes night shift
*12 out of 13 terminals reporting

For comparison, the average in-terminal turn time in October was 50.2 minutes for the day shift and 51.2 minutes for the night shift. In October, terminals had the additional burden of redistributing Hanjin containers to other terminals, while in November, conditions returned to normal.

Average daily moves per truck in November:
5 or more moves per day: 5%
4 moves per day: 9%
3 moves per day: 24%
2 moves per day: 39%
1 move per day: 23%

Gate moves during Peak and OffPeak shifts in November:
Total Peak gate moves: 395,482 (55%)
Total OffPeak gate moves: 317,083 (45%)

Note:
All terminals were closed on Thursday, Nov. 24, for the Thanksgiving holiday, and some terminals were closed on Friday, Nov. 25.

PierPass Advisory Committee Continues Review of Extended Gate Options

Posted on December 12, 2016 by admin

LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 12, 2016 – The PierPass Advisory Committee met on Dec. 8 to review potential alternatives to the current extended gates model used at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach under the OffPeak Program.

The meeting continued a process that began at an Oct. 20 workshop, where the 13 container terminals that comprise the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) met with more than 70 leaders representing importers, exporters, trucking companies, logistics providers, government representatives and other stakeholders.

Under this process, the terminals are working with industry stakeholders to review extended gate alternatives proposed by various interested parties. The proposals offer different approaches to spreading out truck traffic more evenly across the daytime and nighttime hours of operation at the terminals, while continuing to operate and fund extended gate hours.

The alternatives reviewed include variable pricing, under which the Traffic Mitigation Fee would be higher in times of high gate activity and lower in times of low gate activity; a lower flat fee applying both to day and night moves, with appointment systems to help regulate traffic flow; and port-wide peel-off, in which trucks would operate like taxis in an airport queue and each pick up the next available container, compared with the current system under which a specific container must be located, dug out of the container stack and moved onto a specific truck.

During the remainder of the Dec. 8 meeting, attendees offered detailed feedback on the “flat fee tied to an appointment” and “port-wide peel-off” options.

The OffPeak program is managed by PierPass Inc., a not-for-profit company formed by WCMTOA to coordinate multi-terminal programs addressing congestion, air quality and security. The PierPass Advisory Committee, established in 2005, includes a broad range of cargo owners, trucking companies, terminal operators and other stakeholders.

PierPass launched the OffPeak program in 2005 to reduce severe cargo-related congestion on local streets and highways around the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Using a congestion pricing model, PierPass charges a Traffic Mitigation Fee (TMF) on weekday daytime cargo moves to incentivize cargo owners to use the OffPeak shifts. The TMF also helps pay for the labor and other costs of operating the OffPeak shifts.

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PierPass November 2016 Newsletter

Posted on November 30, 2016 by admin

West Coast Terminals Evaluate Extended Gate Options

Terminal operators at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach held an Oct. 20 workshop with industry stakeholders to evaluate potential alternatives to the current extended gates model used at the ports under the OffPeak Program.

The 13 container terminals that comprise the West Coast MTO Agreement (WCMTOA) met in San Pedro with more than 70 leaders representing importers, exporters, trucking companies, logistics providers, government representatives and other stakeholders.

A copy of the presentation used at the workshop is available at https://goo.gl/6FUWKD.

More Terminals Adding Appointment Systems

As of Oct. 17, eight of the 13 container terminals in LA-Long Beach were using appointment systems. On that day, ETS (Everport Terminal Services) began using its system for import loads. More information about the ETS appointment system can be found at http://www.etslink.com.

A ninth terminal, YTI (Yusen Terminal Inc.) plans to have an its appointment system running by March 2017.

Average in-terminal turn time in October 2016:
50.2 minutes day shift
51.2 minutes night shift

For comparison, the average in-terminal turn time in September was 45.1 minutes for the day shift and 47.1 minutes for the night shift. Turn times increased in October as terminals redistributed Hanjin containers to other terminals.

Average daily moves per truck in October:
5 or more moves per day: 5%
4 moves per day: 9%
3 moves per day: 24%
2 moves per day: 39%
1 move per day: 23%

Gate moves during Peak and OffPeak shifts in October:
Total Peak gate moves: 396,324 (56%)
Total OffPeak gate moves: 305,960 (44%)

Note:
All terminals were closed for the OffPeak shift on Oct. 6 for an ILWU Stop Work Meeting.

PierPass October 2016 Newsletter

Posted on November 14, 2016 by admin

PierPass monthly transaction data
Each month we provide a summary of the latest transaction data from marine terminal operators (MTOs) at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. Below please find data from the month of September 2016.

Average in-terminal turn time:
45.1 minutes day shift
47.1 minutes night shift

For comparison, the average in-terminal turn time in August was 43.4 minutes for the day shift and 45.9 minutes for the night shift.

Average daily moves per truck in September:
5 or more moves per day: 5%
4 moves per day: 9%
3 moves per day: 25%
2 moves per day: 40%
1 move per day: 21%

Gate moves during Peak and OffPeak shifts in September:
Total Peak gate moves: 390,938 (57%)
Total OffPeak gate moves: 298,630 (43%)

A gate move occurs when a container enters or leaves a marine terminal via the truck gates. Peak shifts are Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. OffPeak shifts are all other times and are considered exempt from the Traffic Mitigation Fee.

Note:
All terminals were closed for the both shifts on September 5 for the Labor Day holiday.

PierPass September 2016 Newsletter

Posted on September 28, 2016 by admin

Average in-terminal turn time:
43.4 minutes day shift
45.9 minutes night shift

For comparison, the average in-terminal turn time in July was 44.7 minutes for the day shift and 47.6 minutes for the night shift.

Average daily moves per truck in August:
5 or more moves per day: 6%
4 moves per day: 9%
3 moves per day: 29%
2 moves per day: 37%
1 move per day: 19%

Gate moves during Peak and OffPeak shifts in August:
Total Peak gate moves: 442,025 (57%)
Total OffPeak gate moves: 335,766 (43%)

Note:
All terminals were closed for the OffPeak shift on August 4 for an ILWU Stop Work Meeting.

PierPass August 2016 Newsletter

Posted on August 25, 2016 by admin

Overall cargo volume at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach rose slightly in July compared to June – up 5.6% in Long Beach and 1.8% in Los Angeles.

After reaching two-year lows in the second quarter, truck turn times rose in July. A couple factors were in play. The terminals were mostly closed on Monday July 4 and Tuesday July 5, leading to a backlog when they reopened on Wednesday July 6. Also, the supply of available chassis tightened in July, as both street dwell times and the number of out-of-service chassis rose.

Average in-terminal turn time:
44.7 minutes day shift
47.6 minutes night shift

For comparison, the average in-terminal turn time in June was 39.6 minutes for the day shift and 42.7 minutes for the night shift.

Average daily moves per truck in July:
5 or more moves per day: 4%
4 moves per day: 10%
3 moves per day: 27%
2 moves per day: 38%
1 move per day: 21%

Gate moves during Peak and OffPeak shifts in July:
Total Peak gate moves: 365,135 (56%)
Total OffPeak gate moves: 286,161 (44%)

Note:
Most terminals were closed for the July 4 Independence Day holiday, and all terminals were closed for the ILWU “Bloody Thursday” holiday on July 5.
All terminals were closed for the OffPeak shift on July 14 for an ILWU Stop Work Meeting.

PierPass July 2016 Newsletter

Posted on July 27, 2016 by admin

Fastest Turn Times in Two Years

In the second quarter of 2016, trucks were able to pick up and deliver containers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach more quickly than in any other quarter over the last two years, according to monthly data reported by marine terminals and compiled by PierPass Inc.

In both May and June, turn times fell below 40 minutes during the Peak shift and below 45 minutes during the OffPeak shift for the first time since the second quarter of 2014. Turn time measures how long it takes a truck to drop off or pick up a container at a marine terminal. The average turn times for the full quarter were 40.8 minutes (Peak) and 43.0 minutes (OffPeak), down from 55.3 minutes (Peak) and 58.4 minutes (OffPeak) during the fourth quarter of 2014.

Average in-terminal turn time:
39.6 minutes day shift
42.7 minutes night shift

For comparison, the average in-terminal turn time in May was 39.2 minutes for the day shift and 41.1 minutes for the night shift.

Average daily moves per truck in June:
5 or more moves per day: 6%
4 moves per day: 11%
3 moves per day: 26%
2 moves per day: 37%
1 move per day: 20%

Gate moves during Peak and OffPeak shifts in June:
Total Peak gate moves: 412,910 (57%)
Total OffPeak gate moves: 310,841 (43%)

Note:
All terminals were closed for the OffPeak shift on June 2 for an ILWU Stop Work Meeting.

Truck Turn Times in Q2 were Fastest in Two Years at Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach

Posted on July 13, 2016 by admin

LONG BEACH, Calif., July 13, 2016 – In the second quarter of 2016, trucks were able to pick up and deliver containers at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach more quickly than in any other quarter over the last two years, according to monthly data reported by marine terminals and compiled by PierPass Inc.

In order to increase cargo velocity, terminals have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in new automation technology and other infrastructure. They have also implemented new procedures to address challenges presented by the arrival of much larger new ships, the spread of vessel-sharing agreements and the transition of chassis ownership from shipping lines to leasing companies. Terminals have also increased their coordination with trucking companies to extend the use of free-flow or peel-off procedures for rapid delivery of large groups of containers.

More of the terminals have also moved to adopt appointment systems, to better spread cargo movement over the hours of operation and coordinate which areas of the yard are being worked to enable more efficient use of container-moving equipment. As of July 2016, seven of the 13 terminals are using appointment systems, with more expected to come online by the end of the year.

“Through investment, innovation and collaboration with other port stakeholders, the terminals have repeatedly demonstrated their ability to overcome operational challenges,” said PierPass President John Cushing. “This ability, combined with the capacity, flexibility and geographic advantages of Los Angeles and Long Beach, has maintained our position as the premier port complex in North America.”

“We are encouraged by the recent turn time results and appreciate the work that has been done to attain these gains,æ said Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka. “We look forward to partnering with stakeholders to obtain further reductions and additional supply chain efficiencies.”

During the second quarter of 2016, more than 850,000 containers were picked up or delivered on weeknights or Saturdays during the OffPeak shifts established by PierPass. Without OffPeak, those truck trips would take place during weekday daytime traffic, greatly increasing congestion on the roads and highways of nearby communities.

PierPass launched the OffPeak program in 2005 to reduce severe cargo-related congestion on local streets and highways around the Los Angeles and Long Beach ports. Using a congestion pricing model, PierPass charges a Traffic Mitigation Fee on weekday daytime cargo moves to incentivize cargo owners to use the OffPeak shifts. The TMF also helps pay for the labor and other costs of operating the OffPeak shifts.

Since 2005, OffPeak has taken more than 35 million truck trips out of daytime Southern California traffic and diverted them to less congested nights and weekends.

For more information about turn times and how PierPass measures them, please see our Q&A at http://goo.gl/PiOjBp.

About PierPass
PierPass is a not-for-profit company created by marine terminal operators at the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach to address multi-terminal issues such as congestion, air quality and security. PierPass launched the OffPeak program in 2005 to reduce cargo-related congestion on local streets and highways around the ports by establishing regular night and Saturday work shifts. Since 2005, OffPeak has taken more than 35 million truck trips out of daytime Southern California traffic and diverted them to less congested nights and weekends. About half of all port truck trips now take place during the OffPeak shifts. For more information, please see www.pierpass.org.

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Pierpass

Tag Archives: Traffic Congestion