The AASHTO-FHWA Freight Transportation Partnership—MeetingMeeting the Freight Challenges Moving the Freight Challenges Moving Ahead/Staying Ahead Ahead/Staying Ahead
Synthesis of Findings from the Synthesis of Findings from the AASHTO/FHWA Survey and MeetingAASHTO/FHWA Survey and Meeting
Leo PenneLeo PenneProgram Director, Intermodal & Industry ActivitiesProgram Director, Intermodal & Industry Activities
April 18April 18thth 2007 2007
Natchez
• Impressions Observations
• Places People
• Focus Direction
2.) How high a priority is freight transportation in your
organization?
ExtremelyExtremely
SomewhatSomewhat
NeutralNeutral
Not Not VeryVery
Natchez Natchez Key Messages Key Messages
• Freight is voting
• Institutions need to flow with freight
Natchez Natchez Key Messages Key Messages
Senator Trent Lott: It is important that we come together in every possible venue to talk about how we’re going to do a better job in the freight arena.
4.)4.) What What highhigh priority freight issues to priority freight issues to you foresee in the next you foresee in the next five to tenfive to ten years for your years for your
State, region, or localityState, region, or locality??• Freight System Congestion/Capacity (All modes)
• Expanding, Upgrading, Adapting Highway
• Infrastructure
• Truck Size and Weight Issues
• Intermodal Connections/Facilities
• Access to Class 1RRs
• Diverting Traffic to Rail
5.)5.) What What highhigh priority freight issues to priority freight issues to you foresee in the next five to ten years for the you foresee in the next five to ten years for the
NationNation??• Capacity/Congestion/Chokepoints
• Funding and Policy
• Global Developments—NAFTA, Asia, Europe
Natchez Natchez Key Messages Key Messages
• Freight Champions: At all levels
not a cookies cutter model Visible and indispensable Seizes opportunities when they come
Establishing institutional capacity provides a place for partners to connect
6.) What are the top threetop three priority freight initiatives in your State, Region, and Locality?
• State:State: a.) Determination of freight capacity needs on State Determination of freight capacity needs on State
trade corridorstrade corridors, b.) Harmonizing truck size, weight and permitting with adjacent states and provinces, c.) relief of various rail and truck capacity crunches in relief of various rail and truck capacity crunches in and out of the West coast portsand out of the West coast ports
• Region:Region: a.) Developing connections to the entire Developing connections to the entire
transportation system and regional gateways transportation system and regional gateways b.) Multi Multi state Regional Corridor groups state Regional Corridor groups
• Locality:Locality: a.) Reduce/Minimize congestion Reduce/Minimize congestion, b.) Maintenance of Maintenance of
existing facilitiesexisting facilities
Natchez Natchez Key Messages Key Messages
• Tracy Rosser, Corporate Traffic: There is nothing more valuable that public sector planners can do than learn and understand how what you do impacts the competitiveness and productivity of private industry
7.) Does your organization have an individual in a leadership position who actively advances these priorities
(i.e., a freight champion)?
Natchez Natchez Key Messages Key Messages
• Developing and Nurturing Partnerships: Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) can work
when there are benefits for both sectors
Sharing and Partnering is vital to resolving the freight transportation challenge—No Silver Bullet
Mixed bag of experiences and different tools Contributing sources: states DOT’s, Federal
Government , MPO’s and various regional councils and coalitions
8.) Does the leadership in your organization recognize the Does the leadership in your organization recognize the importance of freight transportation needs in your State, importance of freight transportation needs in your State,
region, or locality?region, or locality?
12.) What is the most significant OBSTACLEOBSTACLE to collaboration with MPOs?
• CommunicationCommunication (e.g. Lack of education and understanding, (e.g. Lack of education and understanding,
private sector involvement— “Private sector private sector involvement— “Private sector
not interested in MPO process”.not interested in MPO process”.
• Funding Funding (e.g. Limited source of funding –Dedicated (e.g. Limited source of funding –Dedicated
source of Freight funding)source of Freight funding)
• Staffing Staffing (e.g. Lack of staff time and expertise)(e.g. Lack of staff time and expertise)
21.) 21.) In general, what delivery mechanisms would you In general, what delivery mechanisms would you prefer in meeting your training and technical prefer in meeting your training and technical
assistance needs?assistance needs?
Top Three Most Preferred methods:Top Three Most Preferred methods: • In-Person Training Courses—In-Person Training Courses—78%78%
• In-Person Workshops—In-Person Workshops—69%69%
• Peer to Peer Exchanges—Peer to Peer Exchanges—56%56%
Top Training NeedsTop Training Needs
• Engaging with Freight Stakeholders…and keeping them engaged
• Freight 101—General Education • Financing Freight Projects• Engaging the Private Sector • Freight Data and Performance Measures
AASHTO Freight Bottom LineAASHTO Freight Bottom Line• Freight Demand and Logistics
• Highway Freight Movement
• Rail Freight Movement
• Water Freight Movement
AASHTO States and Freight
• 1. Organizing to do freight
• 2. Collaborating to invest
Going ForwardGoing Forward• Continuing the Freight partnership –meant to be an
ongoing relationship:
AASHTO/FHWA Freight Partnership and
Conduct Regional Freight Scans to complement national and international Scan
Global economy Build community Education of others—”why freight matters” Strengthen organizations--integration Strengthen professional development Financing, planning, integration, collaboration