Presenters:
Jackson Kennedy
University of Redlands
This StoryMap examines how transportation access shapes the location of warehouse properties in Southern California’s Inland Empire, a critical logistics hub. The study addresses the region’s unique position near major marine freight facilities—the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach—and its integration with extensive transportation networks, including highways, railways, and airports. Using spatial data and GIS analysis, heatmaps were created to visualize warehouse density and proximity to key transportation infrastructure. Additional map layers illustrate congestion patterns on major highways, intermodal freight facilities, and connections to air and Marine ports.
The analysis reveals that warehouse clusters are most densely located near transportation corridors such as the I-10, I-15, and I-60, which enable efficient distribution across the state and beyond. The proximity to international ports in the Inland Empire further enhances its appeal for logistics development. However, significant congestion on highways highlights challenges posed by the daily influx of trucks, affecting costs and efficiency for businesses.
This research concludes that the Inland Empire’s role as a logistics hub is driven by its strategic location and transportation infrastructure. Addressing traffic congestion and maintaining infrastructure investment will be essential to sustaining the region’s economic growth and logistical importance.
