Meetingthe Freight Challenges Moving Ahead/Staying Ahead The AASHTO-FHWA Freight Transportation Partnership —Meeting the Freight Challenges Moving Ahead/Staying Ahead Synthesis of Findings from the AASHTO/FHWA Survey and Meeting Leo Penne Program Director, Intermodal & Industry Activities April 18 th 2007

Natchez ImpressionsObservations PlacesPeople FocusDirection

2.) How high a priority is freight transportation in your organization? Extremely Somewhat Neutral Not Very

Natchez Key Messages Natchez Key Messages Freight is voting Institutions need to flow with freight

Natchez 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.) What high priority freight issues to you foresee in the next five to ten years for your State, 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.) What high priority freight issues to you foresee in the next five to ten years for the Nation? Capacity/Congestion/Chokepoints Funding and Policy Global Developments—NAFTA, Asia, Europe

Natchez Key Messages Natchez 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

top three 6.) What are the top three priority freight initiatives in your State, Region, and Locality? State:State: Determination of freight capacity needs on State trade corridors relief of various rail and truck capacity crunches in and out of the West coast ports  a.) Determination of freight capacity needs on State trade corridors, b.) Harmonizing truck size, weight and permitting with adjacent states and provinces, c.) relief of various rail and truck capacity crunches in and out of the West coast ports Region:Region: Developing connections to the entire transportation system and regional gateways Multi state Regional Corridor groups  a.) Developing connections to the entire transportation system and regional gateways b.) Multi state Regional Corridor groups Locality:Locality: Reduce/Minimize congestionMaintenance of existing facilities  a.) Reduce/Minimize congestion, b.) Maintenance of existing facilities

Natchez Key Messages Natchez 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 Key Messages Natchez 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

Does the leadership in your organization recognize the importance of freight transportation needs in your State, region, or locality? 8.) Does the leadership in your organization recognize the importance of freight transportation needs in your State, region, or locality?

OBSTACLE 12.) What is the most significant OBSTACLE 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”. FundingFunding (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.) In general, what delivery mechanisms would you prefer in meeting your training and technical assistance needs? Top Three Most Preferred methods: In-Person Training Courses—78%In-Person Training Courses—78% In-Person Workshops—69%In-Person Workshops—69% Peer to Peer Exchanges—56%Peer to Peer Exchanges—56%

Top 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 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 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

Discussion For more Information: Leo Penne