Freight
As the majority of Americans live in cities, urban areas are major source and destination of freight. Policies and infrastructure for the movement of freight in cities and their metropolitan areas can facilitate improvements in efficiency. Strategies that focus on optimizing the movement of goods, such as shifting to more efficient modes of transport (e.g., rail and barge) and streamlining logistics, are particularly useful for improving the overall efficiency of the freight system.
This sub-category includes information on one topic: The number of efficient intermodal freight facilities (defined as rail- or port-capable facilities) in the local jurisdiction per thousand ton-miles of freight traffic.
Akron does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Albuquerque does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Allentown does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Arlington County does not have a sustainable freight transportation strategy, nor does it have internet based applications to coordinate freight transportation.
Last updated: May 2017
The City has a designated freight network with associated roadway design guidelines. This freight network was updated through the 2015 Cargo Atlanta plan. Trucks over 18 tons or 30’ length are restricted to freight routes under most circumstances. Delivery hours are mandated by some site-specific zoning conditions, but there are none in place city-wide. The City has begun initial work on curb-management policies to maximize the efficient use of curb space and balance the array of needs including on-street parking, deliveries, passenger loading/unloading, bicycle lanes, etc.
Last Updated: September 2021
Augusta does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Aurora does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Austin does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Bakersfield does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
The Baltimore Department of Transportation has a Commercial Vehicle Management Plan, which is a proactive approach to managing freight movement throughout the city.
Last Updated: October 2021
Baton Rouge does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Birmingham does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
The metropolitan planning organization, COMPASS, completed the 2017 COMPASS Freight Study for Ada and Canyon Counties, including the City of Boise, which identified freight corridors and related land use needs, developed a profile of the regionally most important commodities and supply chains, and identified projects and/or policies to address maintenance needs, improve safety, and manage congestion.
The study identified potential freight impacts and barriers to freight mobility including urban encroachment, operational issues such as signal timing and signal synchronization, design impediments such as inadequate turning radii at intersections, and other competing interests in the region. Freight stakeholders then helped identify tools—including zoning ordinance approaches—to preserve freight corridors and improve access and safety, which jurisdictions could implement as appropriate.
Last Updated: October 2021
Boston does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
There are no intermodal freight facilities within the city of Boulder’s boundaries.
Last Updated: October 2015
Bridgeport does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Buffalo does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
There are no intermodal transportation facilities within the city of Burlington's borders.
Last Updated: October 2015
Cape Coral does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
There are no intermodal freight facilities within Carrboro’s boundaries.
Last updated: April 2014
Charleston does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Charlotte does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
There are no intermodal freight facilities within Charlottesville’s boundaries.
Last updated: October 2015
Chicago supports the CREATE program, which is a public-private partnership between the city, state, and the six class 1 railroads and two switching railroads serving the region: Metra and Amtrak. Project benefits include fewer delays, reduced congestion, cost savings, reduced air pollution and fuel savings.
Last Updated: October 2021
Chula Vista does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, although it is looking into providing freight priority similar to transit signal priority to provide a more efficient experience for freight as they travel through the City.
Last Updated: October 2021
Cincinnati does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Cleveland does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Colorado Springs does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Columbia does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight is a primary focus of the Smart Columbus efforts that came out of the Department of Transportation’s Smart City Challenge. This document effectively serves as the city’s freight strategic plan as it highlights the need to improve the efficiency of the freight system through the use of IT applications. In 2018, the City put out a request for information to vendors for initial feedback on the development of a system to deploy Truck Platooning capabilities on select limited access highways and major arterials, if the technology allows, around Columbus as part of the Smart Columbus mobility initiative.
Last Updated: November 2021
Dallas does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency. Freight policy is being evaluated as part of the coordinated Connect Dallas / CECAP efforts.
Last Updated: November 2021
Dayton does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Denver does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place. However, the City is working on an Advanced Transportation and Congestion Management Technologies Deployment Program (ATCMTD). ATCMTD is a $12M ($6M grant, $6M match) federal grant that deploys technology to address traffic congestion and safety. One example is connected freight, which focuses on using connected vehicle technology that allows trucks to communicate with the City’s traffic signals to reduce the impact delivery and freight trucks have in local communities, increase safety, improve delivery time reliability, and provide cost savings to participating cargo companies.
The federally-designated transportation planning agency for the Denver region, DRCOG, is developing a Regional Multimodal Freight Plan. The City of Denver is involved in that regional effort to improve the efficiency of freight delivery in the Denver region, and to identify regional freight improvement projects for future state and federal funding.
Last Updated: November 2021
Des Moines does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Detroit does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place. However, the city is redeveloping a truck route network and enforcement infrastructure as part of its Transportation Master Plan to keep semi-trucks off of neighborhood streets and minimize idling close to residential neighborhoods. This process is currently in progress and is scheduled to be completed in 2020.
Last Updated: November 2021
There are three intermodal freight facilities within the City of Dubuque’s boundaries. Dubuque’s share of regional freight traffic in 2011, normalized by population, is 46,624 ton-miles. As a result there are 0.902 efficient intermodal facilities per thousand ton-miles of freight traffic, putting the city in the second lowest category for this metric (>0 to 0.499) available in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: October 2013
El Paso does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Fort Worth does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Fresno does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Grand Rapids does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Greensboro does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Hartford does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Henderson does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Honolulu does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
The Gulf Coast Rail District was created by the City of Houston and regional partners in 2007 to promote freight and passenger rail transportation, www.gcrd.net. The GCRD has secured federal grants for construction of grade separations that will improve freight rail movement and reduce vehicle delays, both of which reduce emissions.
Last Updated: November 2021
Indianapolis does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Jacksonville's UNF sustainability report outlines strategies to increase freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Kansas City does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Knoxville does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
The City of Lakeland does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Las Vegas does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency. As a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan, it is anticipated that a new transportation chapter will cover a freight transportation strategy (incorporating previous Mobility Master Plan information) that addresses freight and freight efficiency. A limiting factor is that the jurisdiction does not include major freight hubs, industrial land, nor airports - rail and truck heads and an intermodal terminal can be found in neighboring jurisdictions. More information will be posted at www.masterplan.vegas.
Last Updated: November 2021
There is one intermodal freight facilities within the City of Lawrence’s boundaries. Lawrence’s share of regional freight traffic in 2011, normalized by population, is 17,886 ton-miles. As a result there are 0.204 efficient intermodal facilities per thousand ton-miles of freight traffic, putting the city in the second lowest category for this metric (>0 to 0.499) available in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: October 2013
Little Rock does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Long Beach does not yet have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place. However, the City has done a lot to address freight efficiency. The Port of Long Beach has a comprehensive Clean Air Action Plan with strategies that address ships, trucks, trains, cargo-handling equipment, and harbor craft. The Port’s Transportation Planning Division uses several resources to increase freight efficiency, including the Transportation Master Plan Summary, Rail Study Update (RSU), Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG) Elasticity Study Phase II, SCAG Inland Port Report, Multi-County Goods Movement Action Plan (MCGMAP), and SCAG Comprehensive Regional Goods Movement Plan and Implementation Strategy. The City has also completed several projects to improve freight efficiency:
- Gerald Desmond Bridge Replacement – New Bridge to span main channel (TCIF/SHOPP, $960 million)
- Ports Rail Realignment and Expansion Project – Project will enable Port to move 35 percent of goods via on-dock rail by 2035 (TCIF/TIGER III)
- Middle Harbor Redevelopment Project – Modernize two aging shipping terminals into one (Port Project, $1 billion)
- Eagle Rock Aggregate Terminal Project – POLB and Army Corps of Engineers lead agencies for proposed construction aggregate, sand, gravel, and granite import facility
- I-710 Corridor Improvement Study – Funding partner to analyze potential alternatives and/or improvements for this major freight corridor
Last Updated: November 2021
Los Angeles started convening a Sustainable Freight Advisory Committee, which is tasked with providing the Port of LA and the Mayor suggestions to improve the sustainability of goods movement at the port. In June 2017, Mayor Garcetti and Long Beach Mayor Garcia came together to sign a joint declaration setting ambitious goals for the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach to make the transition to a zero-emission on-road drayage fleet by 2030 and zero-emission terminal equipment by 2035. These goals are incorporated into the joint Ports’ Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP) Update, approved by the ports’ governing boards in November 2017 to provide high-level guidance for reaching zero-emission operations while strengthening the ports’ economic competitiveness. The City is in the process of pursuing a zero-emission delivery curb designation to incentivize zero-emission freight. Right now, City Council has directed LADOT to conduct a feasibility study of the pilot. The City hopes to launch this pilot before the end of the year.
Last Updated: November 2021
The City of Louisville is part of a broader freight to increase freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Madison does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
McAllen does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
The Memphis Metropolitan Planning Organization (MP0), the regional freight network, has completed a regional freight plan that will address freight needs and issues in a comprehensive fashion.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mesa does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Miami does not yet have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, but freight is a major component of Miami's Long-Range Transportation Plan. Specific goals have not been set, but performance measurements have been identified for several goals.
Last Updated: November 2021
Milwaukee does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Minneapolis has strategies in place to address freight efficiency within the 2009 Minneapolis Plan for Sustainable Growth. Examples of these strategies include off-street loading requirements with new developments, permitting of freight to use on-street parking meters in the am, encouragement of off-hours deliveries, strategic placement of truck loading zones, and prioritization of smaller vehicles for drayage.
Last Updated: November 2021
Montgomery County does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last updated: December 2019
Nashville does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency
Last Updated: December 2021
New Haven does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
New Orleans does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Freight NYC outlines the need to move freight traffic from road to rail and maritime in order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Freight trucks currently account for 10% of city-wide transportation emissions. The plan also highlights strategies for greening the freight supply chain through logistics consolidation, carbon neutral shipping and clean vehicle use. NYC also has over 200 cargo bikes operating in a last mile delivery pilot program.
Last Updated: December 2021
Newark does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
The Port of Oakland approved its Seaport Air Quality 2020 and Beyond Plan. The Port will instate emissions reduction programs and projects, such as converting a portion of the Port’s fleet to battery-electric vehicles, using renewable diesel in the Port’s diesel-powered equipment and vehicle fleet, expanding the electrical charging infrastructure for the Port’s vehicle fleet, and developing a guide for EV charging infrastructure projects in the Seaport Area. More info here.
The City is also expected to receive $9 million in grant funds from the California Air Resources Board. The money will be used to add electric trucks to the Port of Oakland as well as pledge up to $2 million to building charging stations. These actions are expected to minimize the impact of containerized freight transportation on air quality. More info here.
Last Updated: December 2021
Oklahoma City does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Omaha does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
The City’s Parking Division manages freight zones and coordinates with the Transportation Engineering Division on the creation of new zones or modification of existing zones. The freight zones are located along curbs and designated through signage and orange colored curbs. At night, these spaces convert to passenger loading/unloading zones. Presently, freight zones are limited to the downtown core.
Last Updated: December 2021
Oxnard does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
There are no intermodal freight facilities within Park City’s boundaries.
Last updated: October 2015
Philadelphia does not have a sustainable freight plan, but it does have a goal as part of its’ comprehensive plan to modernize freight rail assets to ensure sufficient goods movement to and through the city. Sustainable management of freight traffic is a key component in the Connect plan.
Last Updated: December 2021
Phoenix does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan 3.0 outlines several strategies for reducing freight emissions 25% 2030 including improved signage, off peak delivery, designated loading zones, and enforcement of existing idling laws.
Last Updated: December 2021
Portland has a Sustainable Freight Strategy in place that identifies key action related to truck parking and loading zones, street design best practices, last mile solutions, centralized freight distribution districts, off-hours delivery, and electric vehicle delivery and multi-modal freight strategies.
Last Updated: December 2021
Providence does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Provo does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Raleigh does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Reno does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
In July 2013, the Richmond Strategic Multimodal Transportation Plan was released. This plan provides recommendations for improving multimodal freight movement, but strategies are largely focused infrastructure improvements to its ports.
Last Updated: December 2021
Riverside has sustainable freight objectives and policies in the Circulation and Community Mobility Element of its General Plan 2025 including facilitating goods movement as a means of economic expansion, while protecting residents and visitors from the negative effects typically associated with truck operations and rail service. The City has recently adopted Good Neighbor guidelines intended to reduce the impact and improve efficiency of goods movement on a local scale. Furthermore, the City has adopted weight and axle restrictions on many roadways intended to limit freight movement to industrial corridors.
Last Updated: December 2021
Rochester does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
The city's 2035 General Plan established Mobility goals for Safe Movement of Goods including efficient goods movement, minimizing freight train usage during peak hours, and the creation of designated truck traffic routes.
Last Updated: December 2021
Saint Paul’s comprehensive plan outlines a number of goals to improve the overall efficiency of the freight system. These include:
1. Prioritize investments in infrastructure that improve river commerce and conditions necessary to maintain and grow regional logistics and commodities hubs connecting, river, rail, truck modes.
2. Explore freight delivery solutions that resolve loading/unloading conflicts in congested areas so as to support businesses and provide safety to pedestrians and road users.
3. Work with agency partners and the Saint Paul Port Authority to implement and support freight transportation improvements in and near industrial areas of regional economic importance.
Last Updated: December 2021
Salt Lake City does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
San Antonio does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: March 2020
San Diego does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does the city has any policies that address freight efficiency. San Diego does not employ an internet-based application or service to coordinate freight transport.
Last Updated: December 2021
San Francisco’s Better Market Street Plan, adopted February 2019, creates a car-free zone throughout downtown, from 10th Street to the Embarcadero, reserving the city’s primary boulevard for bicycles and public transport. In addition, the plan establishes peak-hour loading restrictions to reduce conflicts between bicycles, transit, and commercial vehicles – pushing delivery to off-hours.
Last Updated: December 2021
San José does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan, but the Envision San José 2040 General Plan establishes six transportation policies to provide for safe and efficient movement of goods. These goals aim to Minimize potential conflicts between trucks and pedestrian, bicycle, transit, and vehicle access and circulation on streets with truck travel; maintain primary freight routes that provide for direct access for goods movement to industrial and employment areas; encourage through truck traffic to use freeways, highways, and County Expressways and encourage trucks having an origin or destination in San José to use Primary Truck Routes designated in the General Plan; plan industrial and commercial development so that truck access through residential areas is avoided. Minimize truck travel on streets designated in the Envision General Plan as Residential Streets; design freight loading and unloading for new or rehabilitated industrial and commercial developments to occur off of public streets. In Downtown and urban areas, particularly on small commercial properties, more flexibility may be needed; and support the efficient and safe movement of goods by rail where appropriate and promote the continued operation of freight rail lines that serve industrial properties. In addition, the Climate Smart Plan includes targets for electric local delivery vehicles and alternative fuel heavy goods vehicles.
Last Updated: December 2021
Seattle has a Freight Master Plan to improve freight mobility and safety in the city, in conjunction with department efforts to improve mobility across a range of transportation modal opportunities for moving people and goods.
Last Updated: December 2021
Springfield does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
St. Louis does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
St. Petersburg does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Stockton does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Syracuse does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Tampa does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Toledo does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Tucson does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Tulsa does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Virginia Beach does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
In July 2017 DDOT initiated a Freight Plan Addendum to incorporate into the District’s Freight Plan new requirements stipulated in the Fixing America’s Surface Transportation (FAST) Act (Pub. L. No. 114-94), passed on December 4, 2015. The District Department of Transportation published a FAST-compliant amendment to the freight plan in October 2017, and contains Sustainability metrics around air quality, as well as transportation efficiency metrics.
Last Updated: December 2021
Wichita does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Winston-Salem does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021
Worcester does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: December 2021