The Port of Oakland is shaking things up with the launch of a high-tech system to boost the efficiency and security of cargo movements. Developed in a collaborative effort between Parsons Corporation and various stakeholders, the Freight Intelligent Transportation System (FITS) is the new brainchild set to streamline operations in one of America's busiest ports.

Parsons, a powerhouse in the infrastructure industry, has been grinding away with the Alameda County Transportation Commission, Port staff, and the City of Oakland since 2020, facilitating the development of this innovative system, which now, after extensive construction and system integration efforts, is set to move into its ongoing operations and maintenance phase, efforts have been joined by the likes of Advent eModal, Mobile Programming and other subcontractors, a team effort Parsons president Mark Fialkowski hailed as "revolutionary" in its approach to smart port management.

As detailed in the Port of Oakland's official press release, FITS uses Parsons’ very own iNET® system, integrated with both an enhanced version of the SecūrSpace smart parking system and a newly minted GoPort app, which caters to both iOS and Android users. This blend of technology aims to advance truck and rail access logistics by providing real-time insights into goods movement, thereby promising a more efficient port framework.

“This gives us real-time visibility on goods movement, our customers will be able to move cargo through the port more efficiently and securely,” Bryan Brandes, the Port of Oakland Maritime Director said, emphasizing the project's significance for the freight industry. This sentiment was echoed by others in the field, with the expectation that the port community, including suppliers and cargo carriers, will reap the benefits from this system, which not only modernizes logistics but also predicts freight wait times and traffic flow through the use of artificial intelligence, video, and data analytics.

The next phase of the initiative locks in Parsons for a five-year operations and maintenance contract, where they will continue to show their prowess in FITS system integration and ensure that the assorted apps and devices are up and running 24/7. With tech savviness at its core, FITS also aims to develop predictive models concerning potential road blockages at train crossings and customize dashboards for customs and shipping tracking, a testament to Parsons’ global reputation for smart mobility platforms that upgrade traffic networks across cities worldwide.