Transportation issues are at the heart of some of the world’s most pressing problems. Emissions from the road-based US transport system were rising before the pandemic and are a major source of greenhouse gases released into the atmosphere. At the same time, cities are increasingly choked by traffic congestion, which diminishes economic opportunities and aggravates local air-quality issues.
For decades, the solution for passenger movement has been clear: Shift as much traffic as possible to other modes, such as transit, cycling and walking. But for freight traffic carried on our roads — a no less important part of urban activity — solutions aren’t as obvious.
