In response to rapidly evolving technological advancements and regulatory challenges, the Trump administration is revisiting its approach to national freight policy. This initiative aims to adapt the U.S. freight strategy to effectively cope with emerging priorities, ensuring the country's transportation system remains efficient and competitive.
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is actively seeking contributions from key stakeholders, including freight carriers, shippers, and government entities, to enhance the National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP) established in 2020. This plan is crucial for accommodating a forecasted 50% surge in U.S. freight tonnage by 2050.
In a recent information request, the DOT emphasized the need for an overarching perspective on transportation investments. “More than ever, we need to plan transportation and infrastructure investments – especially for freight – by looking at the big picture,” the department stated.
This comprehensive approach involves integrating public and private sector perspectives to sustain America's global competitiveness. Engaging with industry and the public is key to forming a unified national freight transportation vision.
Mandated by Congress in 2015, the NFSP set strategic goals for all freight modes and identified key trends such as global supply chain diversification, increasing domestic energy output, shifting urban-rural dynamics, and the growth of e-commerce.
The plan also recognized the vast U.S. network of highways, railways, and waterways as prime settings for applying wireless connectivity, machine learning, and artificial intelligence. These technologies have the potential to revolutionize freight tracking and supply chain optimization.
Given recent technological progress, the DOT is inviting public feedback on potential shifts in freight movement over the next five years and public agency roles in facilitating these changes.
The department is also questioning the main barriers, whether regulatory, technological, or procedural, that hinder freight system performance, especially at pivotal intermodal connectors and points of origin and destination.
Additional public input sought by the DOT includes:
- Strategies for DOT to encourage private-sector investment and defining the roles of public versus private entities in these investments.
- Impact of the 2020 NFSP on freight planning and investment strategies at various governmental and private levels.
- Metrics for assessing multimodal freight system performance in terms of safety, efficiency, resilience, or infrastructure quality.
- Approaches to enhance the freight system's resilience against natural disasters, economic uncertainties, or other disruptions.
- The impact of a National Multimodal Freight Network designation on public agency planning and investment strategies.
Stakeholders are encouraged to submit their feedback to the DOT by August 14.
