Work

The changing and complexifying geography of logistics activity in U.S. metropolitan areas

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: This paper examines the spatial distribution of logistics activity (trucking & warehousing) across and within fifty of the largest US metropolitan areas between 2005 and 2020, using Gini coefficients at the county level to measure concentration. Previous research has shown decentralization corresponding with suburbanization and the growth of larger warehouses to meet consumer demand. However, the rapid growth in e-commerce since 2005 suggests that re-centralization may be occurring as logistics providers develop fulfillment centers closer to the centers of population. In this paper, we find that this re-centralization does in fact seem to be occurring, but in a more complicated pattern than before. Warehousing is still decentralizing in logistical hubs and cities in the shadow of those hubs but is re-concentrating in other, smaller metropolitan areas that serve as local and regional logistics centers. We find strong evidence for the formation of a national logistics network, with different cities playing different roles. Furthermore, rather than one spatial pattern of decentralization for logistics activity within metropolitan areas, we find multiple possible patterns, corresponding to the city's location in that national network.

Source: Journal of Transport Geography

DOI: 10.1016/j.jtrangeo.2025.104410

Authors: Julie Cidell, Jason Segal, Cayden Schroeder

Institutions: University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Lake County

Language: English

Topic: Urban and Freight Transport Logistics

Subfield: Building and Construction

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Sustainable cities and communities

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $2,990