ATRI unveils annual list of top truck freight congestion locations

The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) today released the latest findings of its annual truck bottleneck listing.  The 2015 Congestion Impact Analysis of Freight-Significant Highway Locations, which assesses the level of truck-oriented congestion at 250 locations on the national highway system, uses several customized software applications and analysis methods, along with terabytes of data from trucking operations to produce a congestion impact ranking for each location.  The data is associated with the FHWA-sponsored Freight Performance Measures (FPM) initiative.  The locations detailed in this latest ATRI report represent the top 100 congested locations. 

The number one spot on the ATRI list this year is the Tom Moreland Interchange in Atlanta, GA, a five-level stack interchange at the intersection of I-285 and I-85.  Known by local commuters as "Spaghetti Junction," it is not only the confluence of two highly traveled interstates, but also provides ramps to four secondary roadways.  Also notable on this year's list - four of the top 10 truck chokepoints are located in Houston, TX.  The top 10 locations on the ATRI list this year are: 

1. ATLANTA, GA: I-285 AT I-85 (NORTH)
2. CHICAGO, IL: I-290 AT I-90/I-94
3. FORT LEE, NJ: I-95 AT SR 4
4. LOUISVILLE, KY: I-65 AT I-64/I-71
5. HOUSTON, TX: I-610 AT US 290
6. HOUSTON, TX: I-10 AT I-45
7. CINCINNATI, OH: I-71 AT I-75
8. HOUSTON, TX: I-45 AT US 59
9. LOS ANGELES, CA: SR 60 AT SR 57
10. HOUSTON, TX: I-10 AT US 59

"With a robust economy comes increased demand for consumer goods, the lion's share of which is carried by truck.  We see that reflected in the ATRI truck bottleneck list as more trucks move through the nation's major metropolitan areas to deliver the goods," said Ed Crowell, Georgia Motor Trucking Association President and CEO.  "ATRI's ranking allows states to better understand where targeted infrastructure improvements could keep the economy moving."