In an optimistic closing meeting of 2021, the Freight Mobility Coalition focused on exciting projects on the horizon in freight and big changes that trucking companies, in particular, need to be aware of as we move forward into a new year. 

Topics of discussion included the Greater Chattanooga Freight Hub, Thrive's upcoming research partnership with Georgia Tech; what the 3G shutdown means for the trucking industry; supply chain resiliency along the Tennessee River; and north Georgia's inland port growth.

Exciting things are happening in the world of freight. With the tri-state area being a major hub in the United States freight industry, the opportunities to explore how we can improve our roadways, rails and waterways are endless. 

Recently, we announced our partnership with Georiga Tech to create the Greater Chattanooga Freight Hub, which will integrate info and data and be a resource for numerous sectors in the region.  We’re also collaborating with Chattanooga State Community College to help it launch its own logistics and supply chain management program. We’ll have more information on these projects coming in 2022. 

A big shift in trucking technology that will catch a lot of companies by surprise is also coming next year. As early as February 2022, major cell service providers are sunsetting 3G networks to make way for newer, faster technologies such as 4G LTE and 5G.

When these changes begin to occur, thousands of devices will be disrupted. Companies will need to upgrade many communications and analytic devices. 

Devices affected:

• Electronic logging device - records driver hours

• Cell phones

• Tablets

• Medical devices

• Cameras

• Home security systems

Dates for these changes depend on the provider. Here’s a look at the tentative cutoff dates, but you should keep in mind that 3G could begin to disappear sooner than scheduled. 

• AT&T: February 22, 2022

• Sprint 3G (T-Mobile): March 31, 2022

• Sprint LTE (T-Mobile): June 30, 2022

• T-Mobile 3G: July 1, 2022

• Verizon 3G: December 31, 2022

Speakers from the November Freight Mobility Coalition meeting included:

• Donna England with the Tennessee Trucking Association, who spoke about the impact of the impending 3G shutdown on the trucking industry

• Janey Camp, of Vanderbilt’s VECTOR research program, who updated the coalition of a barge supply chain study, which analyzed the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers’ inland waterway resilience, they did for the Department of the Interior

• Wesley Barrell, of Georgia Ports Authority, who shared a presentation on the rapid growth of the Appalachian Regional Port in Murray County, Georgia. 

As 2021 comes to a close, Thrive is grateful to its stakeholders in the Freight Mobility Coalition for sharing resources and knowledge around the complexities of logistics in our region. 

Join the Freight Mobility Coalition network in 2022.

Ready to get involved? Email smillsaps@thriveregion.org