AAM-Enabled Intermodal Freight Strategies for Supply Chain Resilience and Efficiency

Ports and freight corridors are critical to the nation’s economy, yet recent disruptions have shown how vulnerable supply chains can be to congestion, weather events, and other unexpected shocks. While trucks and rail remain the backbone of freight movement, there is growing interest in whether emerging Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) and air-based technologies could help improve reliability and resilience for specific, time-sensitive freight needs. This project explores how new air mobility services could complement rather than replace existing port and landside freight systems. The research will examine how air-based freight services can be integrated into intermodal freight networks to support more resilient, efficient supply chains, particularly during disruptions. The study will focus on identifying freight use cases where air mobility may provide added value, such as time-critical deliveries, emergency response, or port operations affected by congestion or weather. The project will evaluate infrastructure needs, operational considerations, and decision-making factors relevant to transportation agencies and port authorities. The research will also examine planning and policy considerations to ensure that potential applications support safe and cost-effective transportation outcomes. Expected results include a practical framework for identifying when and where air mobility solutions may enhance freight system performance, guidance for integrating these services into existing transportation systems, and policy-relevant insights for public agencies. The findings will support transportation decision-makers in planning for resilient, efficient freight systems that meet current needs while remaining adaptable for the future.

• Record URL:
  • https://ncst.ucdavis.edu/project/aam-enabled-intermodal-freight-strategies-supply-chain-resilience-and-efficiency

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $211,851.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DOT 69A3552348319

  DOT 69A3552344814

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  Texas Southern University, Houston

  3100 Cleburne Street
  Houston, TX  United States  77004
• Managing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  University of California, Davis

  1 Shields Ave
  Davis, California  United States  95616

  Texas Southern University, Houston

  3100 Cleburne Street
  Houston, TX  United States  77004
• Project Managers:

  Cliff, Sydney

• Performing Organizations:

  National Center for Sustainable Transportation

  University of California, Davis
  Davis, CA  United States 

  Texas Southern University, Houston

  3100 Cleburne Street
  Houston, TX  United States  77004
• Principal Investigators:

  Azimi, Mehdi

  Qi, Yi

• Start Date: 20260401
• Expected Completion Date: 20270331
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air cargo; Freight transportation; Intermodal transportation; Supply chain management; Transportation planning
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Freight Transportation; Planning and Forecasting;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01985468
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Sustainable Transportation
• Contract Numbers: DOT 69A3552348319, DOT 69A3552344814
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Apr 12 2026 11:32PM