Cereal grains such as corn, wheat, rice, oats, barley and rye play a central role in the American diet. These grains travel across the country from farms to processing plants and eventually to consumers’ tables. The transportation network that supports this movement faces challenges including cost management, reducing carbon emissions and maintaining resilience during disruptions.
Deniz Berfin Karakoc, assistant professor of industrial engineering at Arizona State University’s School of Computing and Augmented Intelligence, has published new research in Environmental Science & Technology with Megan Konar from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Their study examines how cereal grain transportation can be optimized for cost-efficiency, sustainability and adaptability.
The researchers analyzed freight data for seven cereal grains and used a multi-objective optimization model to evaluate different transportation scenarios. They found that waterways are the most cost-effective option but are geographically limited. Railways also offer efficiency but are restricted by track locations. For sustainability, both waterways and railways produce fewer carbon emissions than trucks. However, highways provide the greatest adaptability because trucks can reach more destinations and reroute when necessary, though they come with higher costs and emissions.
Current grain movement is a mix of these approaches, prioritizing adaptability to ensure continued supply even when disruptions occur.
Karakoc emphasizes the importance of resilient transportation networks in preventing shortages: “Food is essential, and we should be able to trace it from farm to fork,” she says.
Her team’s findings could help guide infrastructure investments and national programs aimed at keeping food supplies stable during unexpected events such as extreme weather or infrastructure failures. Future research will use real-time data to further analyze system responses under stress.
Arizona State University has been recognized for its innovative work in research and education. The university was named number one in innovation for eight consecutive years by U.S. News & World Report according to the annual Best Colleges rankings.
Karakoc views her work as not only an engineering challenge but also a social mission given that millions of Americans report food insufficiency each year.
