TORONTO, Ont. — An Ontario Trucking Association (OTA) survey has found “near unanimous concern” over Toronto-area road congestion during the Pan Am Games.

Carriers responding to the survey demonstrated some inventive ways to manage logistics, and are considering applying surcharges.

The survey found that carriers who’ve been able to engage their customers about potential service disruptions have had the best success in putting contingencies in place.

Nearly 90% of carriers said they’re anticipating increased congestion and lengthy delays during the Pan Am Games (July 10-26). Only 52% have been able to develop an alternative strategy to deal with the issue. Those who haven’t, say it’s due to “lack of customer engagement or willingness to admit the Games may have a meaningful impact on the carrier’s ability to service them.”

Some carriers that have been able to work proactively with their customers have come up with the following solutions: cancelling normal ‘guaranteed’ service levels during the Games; working with customers to add flexibility to appointment times; and switching delivery schedules to off-peak hours.

Some fleets have agreed to share the costs of using Hwy. 407/ETR with their customers during the Games period. Nearly 43% say they have or will implement a surcharge during the Games, to recover money lost due to increased congestion during this period.

For the most part, OTA reports, carriers are looking to share the costs of any disruption with their customers.

You can read the full findings here.