Efforts to Address Freight Mobility in the Mississippi Valley Region Greg Waidley National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE), University of Wisconsin-Madison Teresa Adams, Ph.D. – Director Jason Bittner – Deputy Director

Outline Motivations Upper Midwest Freight Corridor Study Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition Workshop in Dearborn Next Steps

Motivations Economic health of region Trade between the states –Dependence on manufacturing and agriculture sectors Growing congestion on all modes –Freight bottlenecks International competitors

Economic Health of Region

Economic Health (cont’d)

Trade Between the States ManufacturingAgriculture

Trade (manufacturing)

Trade (agriculture)

Growing Congestion on All Modes

Growing Congestion (cont’d)

Competitiveness

International Competitors European Union IndiaChina

International Competitors - EU

International Competitors - India

International Competitors - China

Upper Midwest Freight Corridor Study Efforts to address freight originated with UMFCS (active since 2003) Involvement included… –Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin as well as provinces of Ontario and Manitoba –Also, FHWA, UW-Madison, UIC and Univ. of Toledo

Upper Midwest Freight Corridor Study (cont’d) Potential activities (short term) –Collect improved data –Document regional freight funding needs and consequences –Create an ongoing regional organization –Improve political and public understanding of freight –Support multi-modal solutions for bottlenecks –Address regulatory bottlenecks at border crossings –Define a freight focal point in each state transportation agency

Upper Midwest Freight Corridor Study (cont’d) Potential activities (long term) –Support river and lake lock improvements –Define a regional freight network –Define the role and structures appropriate for PPPs –Develop freight related planning approaches –Implement regional freeway management technologies; multi-state traffic operations program (MSTOP) –Consider modifications to Jones Act of 1920 – particularly provisions related to vessel production

Mississippi Valley Freight Coalition (MVFC) Memorandum of Understanding CharterCommittees –Executive –Technical Policy Advisors Traffic Operations Coalition –Customer Pooled Fund –Priority Initiatives

Charter Describes how the Coalition will carry out its mission of… –Sharing information between state agencies –Reaching out to shippers/carriers –Defining a system of multimodal freight corridors –Evaluating, implementing and operating technologies –Evaluating, implementing and enforcing traffic and vehicle regulations –Identifying bottlenecks –Defining and supporting national transportation policies

MVFC Committees

Pooled Fund Signed in February 2007 $450,000 –9 states at $50K for two years –Wisconsin is lead state Priority Initiatives –Regional Freight Workshop (Dearborn) –Logistics for the Public Sector Training Course –Model Freight Planning Approaches

Workshop in Dearborn February 26-28, 2007 –Testimony National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission –Project selection Workshop to Endorse/Respond to/Consider Funding Commission and Other Activities Mississippi Valley Traveler Information Clearinghouse Define Regional Freight Bottlenecks Expanded Truck Parking Facilities

Next Steps National Center for Freight and Infrastructure Research and Education (CFIRE) – Strategic Plan MVFC Pooled Fund Testimony (April 18 th in Chicago) How do I get involved?