Talking Freight Seminars November 19, 2008 Caroline A. Mays, AICP Atlanta Regional Commission Integrating Freight and Land Use in the Atlanta Region

Outline Overview of the Atlanta RegionOverview of the Atlanta Region Key Freight and Land Use ChallengesKey Freight and Land Use Challenges Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan Land Use Analysis and RecommendationAtlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan Land Use Analysis and Recommendation Lessons Learned and ConclusionsLessons Learned and Conclusions

Atlanta MPO Planning Boundary Former 10 County MPO 2000 Urbanized Area 18 County MPO

Continued Rapid Growth Expected

Atlanta Region is the 2nd Largest Inland Distribution Market in US (tons) Tons Atlanta Region 2nd Largest Inland Distribution Market in US (tons)

Atlanta Region Total Freight Tonnage, 2005 Total Commodities by Mode for Atlanta, GA 87.44% 0.25% 12.31% Truck Air Rail

Truck Terminals Versus Business Location and Highway Network Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography

Distribution Business Establishments and Highway Network Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography

Manufacturing Sector Establishments and Highway Network Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography

Construction Sector Establishments and Highway Network Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography

Key Freight/Land Use Issues Increasing the Consideration of Freight Needs in Regional Land Use and Transportation Plans Conflicts Among Land Uses Constraining Redevelopment Emerging Land Use Conflicts Tools to Support Local and Regional Planners In Zoning & Site Plan Review Methods to Better Consider the Multi-Jurisdictional and Corridor Impacts of Freight Increasing Demands for Modern Warehousing and Distribution Facilities in Suburban & Exurban Areas

Importance of Freight and Land Use Coordination Noise Light Air Quality Safety Property Values Quality of Life Mitigation Requirements Expansion Constraints Operating Hour Limits Limited Options to Enhance Logistics Efficiency

Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan Land Use Analysis

Case Study Methodology For Examining Freight/Land Use Issues Conducted Site Visits Reviewed Existing Plans and Information Examined Interactions Among Land Uses Gained Perspectives on Freight Transportation-Land Use Connections

Case Studies Atlanta Road- Marietta Blvd Activity Area Fulton Industrial Blvd Fairburn Area Gwinnett County Interchange Development Area Henry County W & D Zone

Freight Access Not Part of Urban/Site Design Major new mixed-use center with no loading zones, off- street truck parking or easy rear access

Townhomes Backing to Commercial Facility with Significant Truck Movements Residential Influx and Proximity to Intense Freight Uses New Housing Adjacent to Large and busy freight Facilities

Preserve Freight Mobility Roadway Congestion, Safety and Usage Compatibility Issues

“Brownfield” Redevelopment Potential

“Greenfield” Land Use Coordination

Coordinate Freight & Non-Freight Land Uses Incompatible Land Uses Overburdened “Last Mile” Locations New Subdivision

Summary of Case Studies Results Preserve Freight Mobility as Region Continues to Develop Coordinate Freight & Non-freight Land Uses and Mobility Needs Ensure Adequate Segregation & Protection of Various Land Uses Build Goods Movement & Logistics Needs into Land Development & Site Design

Key Recommendations Plan in an Integrated Manner Provide Guidelines for Developers and Planners Enhance Local Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Processes to Address Freight-related Issues

Recommendations Examples of Freight-Supportive Guidelines Who Engage freight operators, shippers and receivers in the local and regional planning processes (“go to them”) ARC, Counties Develop requirements for buffers and/or transitional zones between incompatible land uses Counties, Cities Consider protecting undeveloped land adjacent to freight facilities –Future freight expansion –Prevent encroachment of incompatible land uses through zoning, easements and/or purchases Counties, Cities Long-range impacts of logistics activity locations Planning, zoning, and policy tools to facilitate logical and community- sensitive siting of freight-intensive land uses W&D development directed to locations with multimodal access options Plan in an Integrated Manner - Look at the “Big Picture”

Recommendations Examples of Freight-Supportive GuidelinesWho Develop delivery access and mobility requirements for developers of both existing and new mixed use sites –“Logistics-supportive Design Guidelines” –Address loading zones, street geometry, truck routes, etc. ARC (others) Delivery/access needs built into site design and review process Site layout and building design guidelines and templates Adequate access for deliveries part of design standards Provide Guidelines for Developers and Planners

Recommendations Examples of Freight-Supportive Guidelines Who Develop and apply Warehousing & Distribution (W&D) Zoning Provisions to facilitate smart freight-supportive land use planning Counties, Cities Develop requirements for buffers and/or transitional zones between incompatible land uses Counties, Cities Provide training/education for planners and planning & zoning boards on logistics and freight issues and needs ARC Integrate freight access needs into process Consider community impacts of logistics operations Enhanced Planning and Zoning Processes Addressing Logistics-Related Issues

Freight and Logistics Needs Often an Afterthought in Planning & Site Development Review Processes Designing for Goods Movement Improves Overall Mobility and Access Proactive Freight Planning is Critical to Regional Economic Vitality and Quality of Life Consider Freight Implications in Land Use Planning and Development Review Activities Plan and Design Newly Emerging Areas to Accommodate Freight Needs Lessons Learned/Conclusions

Reflect Evolving Freight Transportation Needs and Practices in Site Plans and Land Development Apply Adequate Buffers and Mitigation Strategies Design Existing and Future Transportation Corridors to Accommodate Freight Needs Consider Freight Mobility Needs in Corridor Related Plans and Proposed Improvements Build Logistics Considerations into Land Development

Thank You Caroline A. Mays, AICP ARC Freight Planner Caroline A. Mays, AICP ARC Freight Planner Additional Information