Portland Chip Terminal Truck Congestion Investigation: An Analysis of Land-Side Hardwood Chip Terminal Operations and Related Supply Chains

The Portland Chip Terminal truck congestion investigation project was initiated to improve understanding regarding truck turnaround times at the facility and the factors that can influence turnaround times. The purpose of this report is to map the ABP wood chip supply chain and the information and the technologies used to improve understanding of the company’s and its partners’ operations with the aim of uncovering potential gains at a supply chain level.

The reasoning behind this project approach is that most aspects of the supply chain are known to the stakeholders but aggregating them in a single place may generate additional insights or bring to light common issues across partners. The research team viewed congestion as a symptom of a complex problem and investigated the possible causes behind its occurrence.