Transportation leadership you can trust. presented to FHWA’s Talking Freight Seminar presented by Michael Williamson Cambridge Systematics, Inc. April 19, 2006 NCHRP Project 8-47 Guidebook for Freight Policy, Planning, and Programming in Small- and Medium-Sized Metropolitan Areas

1 NCHRP 8-47 Agenda Project Background Approach Guidelines Guidebook Development Overview of Guidebook

2 NCHRP 8-47 Project Background Developed to provide small- and medium-sized MPOs with the necessary resources to begin and/or enhance their freight transportation planning program Designed to provide MPO staff with a basic “how to” roadmap to initiate and implement a successful freight transportation planning program Functions as a gateway to the freight resources available through FHWA’s Capacity Building Program and Freight Professional Development Program

3 NCHRP 8-47 Approach Guidelines Provide flexibility There is no one activity or set of activities Guidebook allows users to pick and choose Emphasize integration Where do freight program resources come from? Reallocation of staff and funding Use “best practices” effectively Best practices have not been developed for all areas Guidelines are not limited by available best practices

4 NCHRP 8-47 Guidebook Development Guidebook development was guided by practitioners Surveys Interviews Case studies Periodic review of deliverables Guidebook was completed in December 2005 Official distribution will occur following editorial review by NCHRP

5 NCHRP 8-47 Integrating Freight into MPO Activities Long-Range Planning Development and maintenance of long-range plans Data collection and analysis programs Corridor plans/analyses Stand-alone research and planning initiatives Transportation Improvement Programming Three to five year list of proposed improvement projects, plans, studies, and other activities Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP) Annual work plan for an MPO

6 NCHRP 8-47 Guidebook Architecture Module 1 – Using the Guidebook Developing Freight Policy Directive Developing Regional Freight Profile Developing Freight Needs and Deficiencies Developing Freight LRP Element Identifying Freight Projects Addressing Freight Analysis in Corridor Plans/Studies Developing Freight Project Evaluation Criteria Developing Freight Performance Measures Identifying Innovative Funding and Financing Techniques Assessing Freight Project Impacts Data and Analytical Tools Training and Education Outreach and Partnerships Module 3 – Integrating Freight into MPO Activities 1) Assign lead… 2) Establish goals… 3) Develop profile… 4) Engage partners… 5) Define needs… 6) Key decisions… 7) Refine goals… 8) Develop data.. 9) Establish measures... 10) Identify projects… 11) Develop criteria… 12) Integrate into… 13) Fund and deploy… 14) Develop process… Module 4 – Putting It All Together Module 5 – Identifying Freight Resources Data and Data and Analytical Tools TrainingResources Guidebook Case Studies Available Freight Research Freight Glossary References Module 2 – Getting Started

7 NCHRP 8-47 Getting Started Step 1 – The Freight Self-Assessment Know Your Region Know Your Freight Stakeholders Know Your Organization Step 2 – Definition of Your Freight Planning Program Stage How well did you know your region? How well did you know your freight stakeholders? How well did you know your organization? Step 3 – Identification of Program Elements and Guidelines

8 NCHRP 8-47 Integration of Initial Freight Program Evaluation Processes Know Your Organization Basic Intermediate/ Advanced Know Your Stakeholders Know Your Region Long-Range Plan Element Freight Policy Directive Data/Tool Development Regional Freight Profile Needs ID Training and Education Outreach and Partnerships Corridor Plans Project ID Performance Measures Evaluation Criteria Funding and Financing Project Impacts Assessment of Program Effectiveness Enhancement of Existing or Development of New Freight Activities Institutional Support Data Collection Outreach and Partnerships Analysis Project Implementation Feedback

9 NCHRP 8-47 Example – Freight Policy Directive Step 1. Review existing long-range plan goals, objectives, and policies Step 2. Develop freight-specific language Step 3. Incorporate freight language into long-range plan as amendment or as part of next update Basic Approach for Developing a Freight Policy Directive Activity  Developing a Freight Policy Directive – Basic Activity Type  Policy Level of Effort  Low Technical Complexity  Low Data/Analytical Tool Needs  Low – Requires the collection and review of existing policy language Outreach/Partnership Needs  Low – Requires internal staff coordination Training/Education Needs  Low – Requires staff to begin building basic freight knowledge; should explore resources available from FHWA  Related Activities  Provides foundation for all subsequent freight planning activities

10 NCHRP 8-47 Example – Freight Policy Directive Step 1. Establish outreach program to gather input from key decision- makers and system users. Step 2. Develop freight-specific goals, objectives, and policies. Step 3. Conduct focus group to build consensus and refine. Step 4. Incorporate/integrate material into overall transportation program. Advanced Approach for Developing a Freight Policy Directive Activity  Developing a Freight Policy Directive – Advanced Activity Type  Policy Level of Effort  Moderate to High Technical Complexity  Moderate Data/Analytical Tool Needs  Moderate. Requires review of existing policy language and collection of data to support development of new language Outreach/Partnership Needs  Moderate. Requires discussions with private sector freight stakeholders to facilitate development of freight policies Training/Education Needs  Low – Requires staff to begin building basic freight knowledge; should explore resources available from FHWA  Related Activities  Provides foundation for all subsequent freight planning activities

11 NCHRP 8-47 Example – Outreach and Partnerships Basic Approach for Outreach and Partnerships Activity  Outreach and Partnerships – Basic Activity Type  Policy, Planning and Programming Level of Effort  Moderate Technical Complexity  Low Data/Analytical Tool Needs  Moderate – May require data collection efforts Outreach/Partnership Needs  NA Training/Education Needs  Low – Requires staff to apply basic freight knowledge, particularly relating to stakeholder outreach activities; should explore resources available from FHWA  Related Activities  Provides foundation for all subsequent freight planning activities

12 NCHRP 8-47 Identify and Develop Freight Outreach Program Step 1. Identify key planned freight program elements Step 2. Define anticipated outreach and partnership needs Step 3. Identify potential private sector partners Step 4. Conduct specific outreach on as needed basis Step 5. Solicit participation in ad hoc freight advisory committee Step 6. Solicit input on freight program development as needed

13 NCHRP 8-47 Example of Freight Program Development Freight Planning Process Establish goals and objectives of freight program Develop an inventory of the freight system Define freight data requirements Develop ongoing freight data collection/data improvement program Identify needs and deficiencies of the freight system Identify freight projects of district significance Integrate freight projects into existing transportation planning programs (SIS, MPO plans, port/airport master plans, existing district programs) Fund and deploy freight projects Education and Outreach Develop public education/ outreach program Promote “quick fix” program to maintain private sector interest Establish industry based committee to provide regular input to freight planning initiatives Provide ongoing support and resources to local planning agencies Quick Start Action Items Assign/identify key district staff to champion program development Solicit participation in freight technical advisory committee Assess condition of intermodal connectors Develop scope of work and schedule for program development Develop education material and program to address public safety concerns Define role in region and coordinate/ communicate with other agencies in southeast Florida Develop “quick fix” program to address smaller projects and illustrate commitment to industry Ensure close coordination and participation in statewide freight initiatives Identify technical resources and funding for deployment Determine roles and responsibilities of District 4

Transportation leadership you can trust. presented to FHWA’s Talking Freight Seminar presented by Michael Williamson Cambridge Systematics, Inc. April 19, 2006 NCHRP Project 8-47 Guidebook for Freight Policy, Planning, and Programming in Small- and Medium-Sized Metropolitan Areas