Port of Oakland Launches New App to Improve Operations

The Port of Oakland’s Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS) will accumulate data from multiple sources to speed the movement of container cargo through the port’s terminals.
The Port of Oakland’s Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS) will accumulate data from multiple sources to speed the movement of container cargo through the port’s terminals.
The Port of Oakland’s Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS) will accumulate data from multiple sources to speed the movement of container cargo through the port’s terminals.

The Parsons Corporation has joined the Port of Oakland, Advent eModal, Mobile Programming and key stakeholders to announce the launch of the port’s Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS).

Construction and integration of the system is now complete with the port entering the project’s next phase, the company said. 

The five-year contract marks the latest phase of the system’s development and calls on the Chantilly, Va.-headquartered company to expand Parsons’ existing role as FITS system integrator to include 24/7 operations management and maintenance for all related devices and applications.

In addition, Parsons and its partners also will leverage artificial intelligence with video and data analytics to predict freight wait times and develop predictive models regarding road blockages at train crossings. The data collected will be utilized to create dashboards tailored for custom border protection and port shipment tracking.

Over the past three years, Parsons has worked closely with the Alameda County Transportation Commission; port staff; the City of Oakland; the California Department of Transportation; and a number of subcontractors to develop and implement the FITS solution. 

“This has been a true team effort, and we are grateful to the Port of Oakland as well as all of the partnering agencies and subcontractors who joined us in delivering this revolutionary smart port system,” said Parsons’ President – Infrastructure, North America, Mark Fialkowski. 

“We look forward to continuing our work with the port and partners to enhance the efficiency and reliability of goods movement in the seaport area, empowered by the company’s proven integrated traffic management solutions,” he said. 

Parsons’ traffic management software solution, iNET, integrates with an enhanced version of its SecūrSpace smart parking system and a new customized GoPort website and mobile application for iOS and Android. 

The meld, the company said, “creates a fully functional operating system, which combines innovative technologies to improve the efficiency, safety, operations, and the circulation and reliability of truck and rail access,” according to Parsons. 

“The launch of the Freight Intelligent Transportation System is a bold new step forward for the port, said Port of Oakland Maritime Director, Bryan Brandes. “This gives us real-time visibility on goods movement. Our customers will be able to move cargo through the port more efficiently and securely.” 

The Port of Oakland “and the broader supply chain ecosystem stand to benefit from this collaborative initiative, and we look forward to working alongside Parsons, the port, and the other subcontracting providers to turn this visionary project into a reality,” said David Casey, senior vice president of commercial strategy with project sub-contractor Advent eModal.