The Science Behind Improving Australia’s Freight Efficiency

The Australian road transport network is a complex and ever-evolving system. Factors such as roadworks, reroutes, closures, and crashes mean that the routes truck drivers use to travel from point A to point B may change significantly from one day to the next. As truck rerouting and roadwork information flow in daily from various sources, including the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR), local councils, and state and federal governments, there’s an intricate science in determining how these roads are chosen and navigated.

The Role of CSIRO

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has been an instrumental figure in utilizing scientific methods to enhance the lives of everyday Australians, often in unnoticeable fields. You might know CSIRO for its early Wi-Fi technology or the polymer notes we use today in our wallets.

One significant area of influence is in the realm of transport, through their Transport Network Strategic Investment Tool, known as TraNSIT. Since 2012, TraNSIT has employed scientific modeling to improve supply chain efficacy in Australia. Originally designed for optimizing cattle transport in Queensland, it has now expanded to map and provide the most efficient routes for all types of freight across the country.

What Does TraNSIT Do?

TraNSIT functions by analyzing various factors involved in road transport:

• Distance and Time: It maps out optimal freight routes.
• Vehicle Configuration: Different vehicles have different capabilities and roles in freight.
• Road Conditions: Current and predicted conditions help determine viability.
• Driver Regulations: Regulations regarding driver fatigue limit hours on the road.
• Cost Assessments: Evaluates the costs associated with vehicle operation, including fees for detours and delays.

This modeling allows TraNSIT to accommodate over 220 commodities and impact more than 25 million truck and 200,000 rail journeys annually.

Insights from Leadership

Andrew Higgins, a Senior Principal Research Scientist at CSIRO, oversees the TraNSIT project. He shares, “What TraNSIT does is map out the movements of freight from their specific origin destinations. This includes everything from farms to processing plants, storage facilities, and ultimately to export ports and retail markets.”

Expansion and Future Prospects

Initially focused on agricultural transport, TraNSIT has grown its coverage across various sectors, including critical commodities like construction materials and pharmaceuticals. The tool is positioned to give authorities predictive insights into road conditions, significantly aiding recovery efforts following disruptions.

For instance, in regions hit by flooding or natural disasters, such as the recent Tropical Cyclone Zelia, TraNSIT produces daily reports on closed roads, predicting the associated costs of disruptions. A reported estimate from February 21, 2025, detailed that approximately 22,000 tonnes of freight could be blocked nationally due to storm-related road closures, predicting a cost of around $6 million in freight rerouting.

Collaborating with Government

Higgins states that the data produced by TraNSIT is essential for governmental agencies at various levels to make informed decisions, ultimately helping to improve road infrastructure and enhance the efficacity of freight transport.

Preparing for Future Disruptions

As Australia braces for the potential impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the transport sector is on high alert. Despite being a category 2 storm, its anticipated impact on the densely populated south-east Queensland coastal region could result in significant freight transport delays and damage.

Through the continued evolution and application of tools like TraNSIT, the Australian transport industry is better positioned to manage inevitable disruptions in the future effectively.

For more in-depth insights, visit the full article at Fully Loaded.