Maximizing ground transportation efficiencies with location intelligence

The U.S. economy relies heavily on its vast ground transportation infrastructure, a network facing increasing pressure from rising ridership, record mileage driven and the need to efficiently move more than $700 billion in goods annually. This intricate system, responsible for the smooth flow of goods within the supply chain, faces a significant challenge in disruptions. According to supply chain visibility platform Anvyl, nearly 60% of businesses in the U.S. reported losing up to 15% or more in revenue due to supply chain delays in 2023, highlighting the need for resilient infrastructure.

Location intelligence technology offers a powerful solution for infrastructure management, empowering state and local government agencies to make proactive, data-driven decisions that optimize their respective road networks (the largest single asset for any government). By providing a continuously updated, comprehensive view of infrastructure health, this technology enables rapid assessment, enhances emergency response, and optimizes resource allocation to minimize disruptions and their economic impact.

A digital lens on our roads and rails: The power of location intelligence
Effective infrastructure management is crucial for ensuring the safety and efficiency of ground transportation systems, particularly in areas with high freight traffic prone to erosion. 

Location intelligence gathers data from diverse sources, including aerial imagery, sensors and GIS data, to create a dynamic, multi-layered understanding of transportation networks. It enables government agencies, like departments of transportation, public works and traffic divisions, to visualize infrastructure assets like roads, bridges, railways and traffic signals from a bird’s eye view.  

Coupled with AI, these insights can reveal potentially costly and high-risk cracks in pavement, structural weaknesses in bridges or encroachments such as sheds, access openings and vegetation overgrowth. They also can identify and track changes over time, revealing trends and predicting future maintenance needs. All of this contributes to more resilient infrastructures equipped to handle the demands of a complex supply chain.

Granular levels of detail are particularly valuable for managing large-scale infrastructure projects. Imagine remotely monitoring the progress of a highway expansion, tracking the placement of new lanes, overpasses and signage. Location intelligence enables all project stakeholders to access frequently updated, multi-angle views of construction sites, improving communication, reducing costly on-site inspections, and keeping on schedule and within budget.

Empowering optimized driving and roadway efficiencies: Applications in infrastructure management
A major challenge for supply chain management is mitigating disruptions. Research firm APQC finds that for supply chain decision-makers across a variety of industries, logistics management is an increasingly higher priority: up from67% to 82% as a top focus area from 2023 to 2024.

Location intelligence empowers transportation authorities to shift from reactive to proactive maintenance, leading to safer roads and smoother driving experiences. By identifying and addressing issues before they escalate, it reduces the need for costly emergency repairs. Maintenance schedules can be optimized based on actual need and asset criticality, ensuring effective resources use.  

This proactive approach also extends to emergency preparedness and disaster response, crucial for supply chain resilience and commuter safety. By simulating the impact of potential events (e.g., floods or hurricanes) on transportation networks, agencies can develop more effective response plans. After a disaster, location intelligence can rapidly assess damage, identify passable routes and guide emergency responders, minimizing disruption and accelerating recovery efforts.

Navigating the future of transportation: From roadmaps to real-time insights
In today's interconnected economy, maintaining a high-resolution, continuously updated view of intricate traffic patterns (and the real-time condition of critical freight routes) is vital for efficient supply chain management. Traditional methods often rely on outdated maps and lagging data, leading to bottlenecks, delays and interferences in the smooth flow of goods. 

Beyond the immediate safety concerns and rapid-response infrastructure fixes, location intelligence enables data-driven decision-making for long-term planning. By analyzing historical traffic patterns, identifying bottlenecks and understanding the condition of key freight routes, agencies can implement strategies to improve efficiency and reduce delays. It can also leverage historical captures to pinpoint hazards like road damage, predominance of damage on a specific segment, and perform predictive analysis based on trends over time.

Government agencies are already using location intelligence with aerial imagery and AI to optimize traffic flow in urban areas and make informed infrastructure investments. These efforts contribute to a more reliable transportation network, directly benefiting supply chain stability.

Location intelligence technology is not merely about efficiency; it's about creating safer, more resilient and more economically vibrant communities connected by a robust transportation network. As this technology continues to evolve, its role in shaping the future of transportation will only become more impactful, enabling us to navigate towards a future of smoother, safer, and more efficient supply chains and commutes for all.