FreightLab
Freight doesn’t just move goods — it moves economies.
The systems behind it, however, are constantly changing due to shifting market dynamics, emerging technologies, and rising customer expectations. At MIT FreightLab, we build the next generation of freight strategies to help shippers, carriers, and brokers adapt and thrive.
We uncover what really propels transportation performance — whether it’s designing smart portfolios, developing segmentation strategies, or applying advanced analytics — and drive bold ideas into practice.
Research areas
Ghost lanes: Hidden costs in truckload contracts
Up to 70% of contracted lanes go unused. Our models predict which will go dark, helping shippers and carriers cut costs and improve performance.
Goldfish memory in freight contracting
Carriers prioritize current rates over past shipper behaviors. Our research helps shippers price contracts to reduce rejections and secure reliable capacity.
Smart procurement portfolio: Balancing contracts and spot markets
We show when to use contracts vs. spot markets vs. alternative approaches. Steady lanes benefit from contracts, while new or variable ones require a flexible mix.
Designing optimal fleet strategy
In partnership with Walmart, we built a stochastic fleet design tool — cutting planning time by 75% and saving $15-$25 million annually.
