The MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (MIT CTL) is part of the Engineering Systems Division in the School of Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.   For more than five decades, MIT CTL has been a world leader in supply chain management education and research. MIT CTL has made significant contributions to supply chain and logistics and has helped numerous companies gain competitive advantage from its cutting-edge research.  Visit our website to learn more about our educational offerings, research initiatives, and outreach opportunities! https://ctl.mit.edu/  

MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics

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Issued by Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) 
Aug 2016

Distinguished Service Award

Issued by Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Office of Digital Learning 
May 2018

MITx Prize for Teaching and Learning in MOOCs

Issued by Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
May 2018

Irwin Sizer Award for the Most Significant Improvement to MIT Education

Issued by Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
Jun 2018

MIT Teaching with Digital Technology Award

MIT FreightLab : Founder

Measuring causal effects of disasters and consequent relief activity on truckload markets

Great Expectations: The Moderating Effects of Supplier Service Model and Market Dynamics on Relational Contract Performance

Research on truckload transportation procurement: A review, framework, and future research agenda

Pack size effects on retail store inventory and storage space needs

Reducing Uncertainty in Freight Transportation Procurement

In this Unboxing Logistics episode, Lori sits down with Chris Caplice, executive director at MIT Center for Transportation Logistics and chief scientist at DAT Freight and Analytics, to discuss the state of freight in 2026. The state of freight shipping in 2026Chris begins by laying out the two big forces shaping the freight market—supply and demand—and noting, “Because supply and demand are constantly shifting in this very volatile market, you're going to see prices going up and prices going down on a regular-ish basis.”He explains that while demand is holding fairly steady, the same can’t be said for supply. “A lot of the regulations that have come recently … [are ] increasing the cost of being a carrier. … It's increasing the barrier of entry, so it's constricting the supply of carriers.”The result? “We are going to see a tightening of the market throughout 2026.”Spot vs. contract pricingAccording to Chris, one of the biggest mistakes shippers make is using contract rates for every lane. Simply put, “It just doesn't make sense for certain lanes that are sporadic, low volume, things like that.”He warns that often, financial leaders prefer the perceived security of contracts, but contracting for everything actually “creates more problems than it fixes.”Fortunately, there’s a simple rule of thumb to know whether you’re balancing spot and contract pricing correctly. Chris says, “Thirty percent of your lanes will [probably] handle [about] 80% of your volume. But … 70% [of your lanes] will handle [about] 20%. So those ones, you don't want to put contract rates on.”In other words, “The vast majority of your volume will go under contract. The vast majority of your lanes will probably be spot.”Balancing cost and reliability in a tight marketChris acknowledges that saving money is a huge consideration when it comes to shipping. But he cautions logistics leaders to consider other factors, such as carrier availability and reliability. “There's so much excess capacity out there. It's tighter now. So little things can have big ripple effects. So I think the big concern now is not saving every dime. It's more about, okay, will my carriers be there when the market gets tighter, or if my demand shifts, or if the fuel price increases?”LinksConnect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/ Visit the DAT Freight and Analytics website: https://www.dat.com/ Visit the MIT Center for Transportation Logistics website: https://ctl.mit.edu/

Preparing for Freight Volatility With Chris Caplice From MIT and DAT Freight &amp; Analytics - Unboxing Logistics Ep. 87

In this Freightvine podcast episode, Chief Scientist Chris Caplice is joined by Peter Swartz, CEO and co-founder of Altana. Altana has created a collaborative AI platform revolutionizing global supply chains. They discuss how businesses navigate fragmented trade, manage compliance across tariffs and regulations, and build resilience through multi-tier supply chain visibility. Learn why understanding the entire value chain—from raw materials to finished goods—is now essential for competitive advantage. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Peter Swartz | Navigating the New Global Trade Landscape

Chris Caplice and Joe Lynch discuss MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics and a wide range of logistics and supply chain topics. Chris is a Senior Research Scientist at MIT and serves as the Executive Director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL). About Chris Caplice Dr. Chris Caplice is a Senior Research Scientist at MIT and serves as the Executive Director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL) where he is responsible for the planning and management of the research, education, and corporate outreach programs for the center. He created and leads the MITx MicroMaster's Program in Supply Chain Management, the first online credential offered at MIT, for which he was awarded the MITx Prize for Teaching and Learning, the Irwin Sizer Award for the Most Significant Improvement to MIT Education, and the MIT Teaching with Digital Technology Award.  He is also the founder of the MIT FreightLab – a research initiative that focuses on improving the way freight transportation is designed, procured, and managed. Outside of MIT, Dr. Caplice is the Chief Scientist for DAT Freight and Analytics.  In this role, he pioneered the development of the Freight Market Intelligence Consortium (FMIC).  He received a Ph.D. from MIT in 1996 in Transportation and Logistics Systems, a MSCE from the University of Texas at Austin, and a BSCE from the Virginia Military Institute.  Twice the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals has formally recognized him: the Doctoral Dissertation Award in 1996 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2016.  Chris was named the Silver Family Research Fellow in 2016. About MIT Center of Transportation and Logistics The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL) is a research and education center dedicated to advancing the field of supply chain management, freight transportation, and logistics. Founded in 1973, the center has since become a world-renowned institution known for its innovative research and practical solutions to complex transportation and logistics problems. CTL offers a range of educational programs, including a master's program in supply chain management, executive education courses, and online courses, all of which focus on preparing students for careers in the transportation and logistics industry. The center also engages in cutting-edge research, working with companies and organizations to develop new technologies, strategies, and practices that improve the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of global supply chains. The MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics is a leader in the field, working to address the challenges facing the transportation and logistics industry today and, in the future, and driving innovation into practice. Key Takeaways: MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics  Dr. Chris Caplice is a Senior Research Scientist at MIT and serves as the Executive Director of the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL). The MITx MicroMasters Program in Supply Chain Management helps learners gain expertise in the growing field of Supply Chain Management through an innovative online program consisting of five courses and a final comprehensive exam. The MicroMasters is an advanced, professional, graduate-level foundation in Supply Chain Management. Chris is also the Chief Scientist at DAT Freight & Analytics In the podcast interview, Chris and Joe discuss the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL) and the Supply Chain Management MicroMasters (mit.edu) Future Freight Flows initiative is primarily concerned with improving the way in which freight infrastructure investments are made and enabling informed discussions of national, multistate, state, and regional freight policy and system investment priorities. MIT FreightLab which develop innovations in freight transportation planning and operations and drive them into practice. Almost 400 new mines needed to meet future EV battery demand, data finds Remora – Carbon Capture for Semi-Trucks  Learn More About MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics Chris on LinkedIn Chris' personal website MIT FreightLab Freightvine Podcasts for DATiQ Future Freight Flows material MIT CTL DAT MIT MicroMasters in Supply Chain Management The Logistics of Logistics Podcast  If you enjoy the podcast, please leave a positive review, subscribe, and share it with your friends and colleagues. The Logistics of Logistics Podcast: Google, Apple, Castbox, Spotify, Stitcher, PlayerFM, Tunein, Podbean, Owltail, Libsyn, Overcast Check out The Logistics of Logistics on Youtube

MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics with Chris Caplice

This book presents a strategic decision-making process (i.e., scenario planning) to help managers build supply chain infrastructures that can adapt to uncertain shifts in the business environment. The authors detail the process for developing and applying scenarios for strategic planning in organizations playing three different roles in supply chains. Using three cases in which the process was applied in association with the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics, this primer also explains how companies can monitor their business environments to decide when to take the necessary steps to adapt their supply chain strategies and assets. The lessons learned are applicable globally: in first-world free-market economies, emerging countries and poorer nations, as well as the states where the government plays a strong role in the economic activity. For companies looking to assess the numerous drivers shaping their supply chains and use that information to make living strategic plans, this book will teach you how to build adaptable and agile supply chains. It will explain how to approach long-term investments in your organization.

Strategic Planning for Dynamic Supply Chains

‎Future Logistics & Infrastructure Systems

Critical Systems & Supply Network Resilience

SCM.260 Logistics Systems

SCM.266 Freight Transportation

Dr. Caplice serves as the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Transportation & Logistics (CTL) where he is responsible for the planning and management of the research, education, and corporate outreach programs for the center. He created and currently serves as Director of the MITx MicroMaster’s Program in Supply Chain Management – the very first MicroMasters credential ever offered. Since its inception in 2015, it has generated over 1.3 million course enrollments from 611,210 distinct learners in 196 different countries.   A total of 83,408 course certificates have been awarded, and 6,247 learners have earned the full MicroMasters credential.

He is also the founder and director of the MIT FreightLab – a research initiative focused on improving how freight transportation is designed, procured, and managed. His primary research is in all aspects of freight transportation, including combinatorial procurement auctions, robust planning, portfolio management, performance metrics, and infrastructure design.

In addition to his work at MIT, Dr. Caplice is currently the Chief Scientist for DAT Freight & Analytics, the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America with over $150 billion in market transactions. In this role, he pioneered the concept of freight rate modeling, which became the Chainalytics Freight Market Intelligence Consortium (FMIC) and is now part of DAT. He leads the development and deployment of innovations and insights into the transportation industry, including the monthly Signal Report and the bi-weekly Freightvine Podcasts.

Dr. Caplice was named the first Silver Family Research Fellow in 2016.  He has been awarded the Irwin Sizer Award for the Most Significant Improvement to MIT Education, the MIT School of Engineering Distinguished Educator Award, the MITx Prize for Teaching and Learning.  He has also received the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) Doctoral Dissertation Award in 1996 and the Distinguished Service Award in 2016.

Transportation Planning and Modeling

Transportation Procurement and Bidding

Online Education in Supply Chain Management

Freight Transportation

Freight and Logistics

Trends in Supply Chain Management

Procurement

English

MIT Profile

Freightvine Podcast

Google Scholar

ResearchGate

Preparing for Freight Volatility with Chris Caplice From MIT and DAT Freight & Analytics | Ep. 87

'Most Advanced Minds': How Military, MIT Are Pushing Boundaries

The unsung role of logistics in the US military

Supply Chain Trends in 2025 With Chris Caplice From MIT and DAT Freight & Analytics | Ep. 50

How artificial intelligence is transforming logistics

Trucking Market Dynamics: Insights from Chris Caplice and Angi Acocella

What You Wish Your CEO Knew about Truckload Freight

How Data Science is Transforming Freight Transportation

Making Sense of an Uncertain Future

Hear the latest in freight transportation, supply chain and logistics from the Freightvine podcast.

Freightvine

This vodcast is for getting to know the fun side of our industry leaders, staying updated with the latest trends, and leveling up your shipping processes. If that sounds like your jam, this is the place for you. Every episode of Unboxing Logistics is stuffed full of insights, innovations, and real-life stories from the people who have been on the front line for years.

Unboxing Logistics

The Logistics of Logistics is a podcast hosted by industry expert Joe Lynch. Joe interviews founders, executives, and innovators who are shaping the future of logistics and supply chain. Topics include transportation, logistics, warehousing, technology, supply chain, and ecommerce. The Logistics of Logistics audience expects an inside perspective of what's next in logistics and supply chain delivered via podcasts, videos, and articles. Topics include: Transportation Topics Small package, Small parcel, Air Cargo, Ocean Shipping, Ocean freight, Bulk carriers, Cargo ships, Container ships, Tankers (ocean tankers), Refrigerated ships (reefers), Roll-on/roll-off ships, Multi-purpose ship, General cargo ship, Break bulk cargo, General cargo, Less Than Truckload, LTL, Tractor, Trailers, Tractor-trailers, 48-foot trailer, 53-foot trailer, Truck lift-gate, Truck terminals, Truckload (TL), Full Truckload (FTL), Freight, Palleted freight, Pallets, Fleet acquisition, Equipment, Drivers, Truck Drivers, Driver leasing, Driver training, Driver safety, Hours of Service (HOS), Electronic Logging Device (ELD), Driver outsourcing, Dedicated Contract Carriage (DCC) Carrier contract, Spot rates, Contract rates, Pickup and delivery, Carrier Instructions, Freight characteristics, Dock management, Intermodal, Containerization, Containers, Final mile, Last mile, Rail transportation Warehousing Topics Warehouse storage, manufacturers, importers, exporters, wholesalers, transport businesses, customs, Pick and Pack, Sub-assembly, Site Location, Distribution Center Management, Inbound shipping, Outbound shipping, Receiving, Putaway, Put-away, Order processing, Replenishment, Pulling, Restocking, Picking, Validation, Sorting, Distribution Center Management System (DCMS), Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI), Supply, Demand, Inventory, Inventory Management, Cross-docking, Cross-dock, Ecommerce fulfillment, Fulfillment, Packaging Logistics Topics 3rd party logistics, 3PL, 4th party logistics, 4PL, Just-in-Time (JIT), Payment auditing, Freight auditing, Payment Processing, Freight brokerage, Freight broker, Digital freight brokerage, Digital freight broker, Transparency, Visibility Special Topics Direct to Home, Direct to Store, Sustainability, Green Logistics, Reverse Logistics, Product Lifecycle Management, Supply Chain Security Analysis, Contingency planning, Crisis Planning, Global Expansion, Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ), Logistics Consulting, Transportation Consulting, Import / Export, Customs, Labor Management, Marketing Services, Customer Service Technology Topics Supply chain technology, Freighttech, Freight tech, Freight technology, EDI, Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP), Predictive Analytics, Technology Services, Web Services, Global Trade Management (GTM), Transportation Management System (TMS), Warehouse Management System (WMS), Supplier Management, Customer Management, Cloud Based Solutions, Wireless

The Logistics of Logistics

Dr. Chris Caplice’s September 20, 2022, Town Hall Series presentation entitled What You Wish Your CEO Knew about Truckload Freight. He discusses the most common misunderstandings CEOs without transportation backgrounds have concerning truckload transportation and why it matters. Watch the full presentation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XRTX9S5BZE

Dr. Chris Caplice at CSCMP Edge 2022 Conference

Executive Director | Senior Research Scientist | Founder and Director, MIT Freight Lab

Last January, Chris Caplice joined us to discuss the top supply chain trends of 2024. This year, he’s back to talk about what the world of shipping and logistics will look like in 2025. 

As executive director at MIT Center for Transportation Logistics and chief scientist at DAT Freight and Analytics, Chris is deeply immersed in the supply chain industry, and he shares some great insights about trucking, tariffs, and more.

Listen to learn what you should expect from the new year—and most importantly, how your business can prepare.

Trend #1: The truckload market will enter an inflationary period

Chris explains that since the late 1990s, “the truckload market has been on a series of cycles. … Capacity is tight and prices go up. Demand exceeds supply. And then it crashes back down and the opposite happens.”

Going into 2025, Chris anticipates that the market will again enter an inflationary period—one where shippers have less leverage. He advises businesses to “fix your roof before it starts raining.”

Trend #2: Global conflicts will continue—but supply chains will remain resilient

Despite ongoing crises, Chris is optimistic about the global supply chain’s ability to adapt and continue to function. “Global supply chains are so dynamic and flexible. … It's similar when there's a natural disaster, like a hurricane. There's always a sharp shock, but it's usually bounded geographically and temporally because the system recovers. We're very good at self-healing.”

Trend #3: Businesses will try to stay ahead of tariffs

What about tariffs? Here’s what Chris has to say: “Tariffs will probably have a big impact. We'll see how that plays out because you don't know what Trump says and what Trump will do, what'll actually get through the Senate. But if tariffs really do increase dramatically I don't think it'll change demand that much—maybe slightly. It might change how things enter the country … but I don't know how dramatically it'll shift the overall shipping patterns.”

In the meantime, many businesses have already begun importing more inventory than usual in an attempt to stay ahead of tariffs. “You hear the stories of especially small shippers bringing in a lot now just to stock up for the year. So we're going to see a lot of heavy inventory costs.”

Links
- Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/  
- Visit the DAT Freight and Analytics website: https://www.dat.com/  
- Visit the MIT Center for Transportation Logistics website: https://ctl.mit.edu/ 
- Roads Rarely Traveled by Woody Richardson: https://www.amazon.com/Roads-Rarely-Traveled-Truckload-Purchasing-ebook/dp/B0CW8Y5QHK/
- Transportation Adventures of a Food Shipper by Rob Haddock: https://www.amazon.com/Transportation-Adventures-Food-Shipper-Truckload-ebook/dp/B0DJ5XMLKV/

Supply Chain Trends in 2025 With Chris Caplice From MIT and DAT Freight &amp; Analytics | Ep. 50

In this Unboxing Logistics episode, Lori sits down with Chris Caplice, executive director at MIT Center for Transportation Logistics and chief scientist at DAT Freight and Analytics, to discuss the state of freight in 2026. 

The state of freight shipping in 2026

Chris begins by laying out the two big forces shaping the freight market—supply and demand—and noting, “Because supply and demand are constantly shifting in this very volatile market, you're going to see prices going up and prices going down on a regular-ish basis.”

He explains that while demand is holding fairly steady, the same can’t be said for supply. “A lot of the regulations that have come recently … [are ] increasing the cost of being a carrier. … It's increasing the barrier of entry, so it's constricting the supply of carriers.”

The result? “We are going to see a tightening of the market throughout 2026.”

Spot vs. contract pricing

According to Chris, one of the biggest mistakes shippers make is using contract rates for every lane. Simply put, “It just doesn't make sense for certain lanes that are sporadic, low volume, things like that.”

He warns that often, financial leaders prefer the perceived security of contracts, but contracting for everything actually “creates more problems than it fixes.”

Fortunately, there’s a simple rule of thumb to know whether you’re balancing spot and contract pricing correctly. Chris says, “Thirty percent of your lanes will [probably] handle [about] 80% of your volume. But … 70% [of your lanes] will handle [about] 20%. So those ones, you don't want to put contract rates on.”

In other words, “The vast majority of your volume will go under contract. The vast majority of your lanes will probably be spot.”

Balancing cost and reliability in a tight market

Chris acknowledges that saving money is a huge consideration when it comes to shipping. But he cautions logistics leaders to consider other factors, such as carrier availability and reliability. 

“There's so much excess capacity out there. It's tighter now. So little things can have big ripple effects. So I think the big concern now is not saving every dime. It's more about, okay, will my carriers be there when the market gets tighter, or if my demand shifts, or if the fuel price increases?”

Links:
- Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/ 
- Visit the DAT Freight and Analytics website: https://www.dat.com/ 
- Visit the MIT Center for Transportation Logistics website: https://ctl.mit.edu/

Preparing for Freight Volatility with Chris Caplice From MIT and DAT Freight &amp; Analytics | Ep. 87

Chris Caplice has deep knowledge of supply chain management: he’s the executive director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, chief scientist for DAT Freight and Analytics, and a Silver Family Research Fellow.

To kick off the second season of Unboxing Logistics, Chris uses his wealth of experience to predict what 2024 has in store for the supply chain industry.

An evolving relationship-building approach
In the old days, building business relationships involved taking someone to dinner or a sports game. Now, Chris says, the focus has shifted. The best way to establish great relationships with partners? Help them solve their business problems. “You need to have trust on both sides. And trust is only earned with repeated success.”

Geopolitical tensions on the rise
Geopolitical tensions have the potential to cause major supply chain disruptions, and they’re on the rise. As a result, Chris has seen organizations becoming more cautious when it comes to global trade. 

“The US and other Western countries have woken up to the idea that they need to be a little more self-sufficient. I don't think global trade is going away … but I think we're being more strategic there.”

Preparing for the unknown
In the world of logistics, a million things can go wrong—how can you prepare? Chris suggests using a technique called scenario planning. 

While he goes into more detail in the episode, here’s the in-a-nutshell version: “You envision three to four worlds, the way the future can be … and then say, if this was the future, what should I be doing now to prepare? By doing that, you're preparing the organization to be flexible.”

Links
Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-caplice-1839/ 
Visit the DAT Freight and Analytics website: https://www.dat.com/ 
Visit the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics website: https://ctl.mit.edu/

Logistics Trends and Tips for 2024 With Chris Caplice From MIT | Unboxing Logistics Ep. 18

The balance between supply and demand has a significant impact on pricing and behavior in the trucking industry. During periods of excess capacity, known as soft markets, prices tend to fall as carriers are willing to honor existing contracts, as evidenced by high acceptance rates. However, in tight markets where demand outweighs supply, prices rise and carriers may prioritize more lucrative spot freight opportunities over contracted loads.

These market dynamics and the incentives that drive carrier and shipper actions were the focus of recent research conducted through a partnership between academia and industry. Angi Acocella, who has studied trucking procurement through her research at MIT, explored how carriers respond to shippers under different conditions. Her findings indicate that while maintaining relationships is important, carriers are primarily motivated by current market conditions when deciding which loads to prioritize.

While optimization models have proven useful in procurement, the assumptions made in early approaches underestimated the dynamics of real-world transportation. Deterministic frameworks that ignore variability did not translate effectively to practical applications. Newer techniques have emerged to instead impose constraints that reflect industry complexities. This enhances the strategic value of optimization beyond traditional deterministic, cost-focused objectives.

Network segmentation also deserves further study, as not all freight lanes are uniform. Factors like volume consistency, carrier types, and opportunity costs must be considered to tailor solutions. Dynamic contracts that fluctuate with market conditions could provide more flexibility than annual fixed-rate agreements.

To address the trucking industry’s many complexities, practitioners and academics should continue close collaboration. Analytics from such collaborations can provide insights for industry players ready to adapt to the constant changes they face. Maintaining perspective across networks while focusing on execution, not just planning, will be key to future success.

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