Vanderbilt Research Models Cascading Supply Chain Risk in Los Angeles Freight Network

Researchers at Vanderbilt University modeled freight movements within Los Angeles. The study found that a disruption at the Port of Los Angeles could result in production losses across inland manufacturing states, according to simulations of America’s freight and industrial networks. While alternative routes can limit the damage, their spare capacity is eventually limited.

The research illustrates the mechanism of a cascading supply chain disruption, where a problem at one point in the network, such as a delayed component, can halt a manufacturer’s output. This mechanism suggests that the biggest commercial exposure may be located far from the waterfront.