DVRPC Long-Range Vision for Freight
In conjunction with, DVRPC's Long-Range Plan, Connections 2035, DVRPC has prepared a Long-Range Vision for Freight. The Long-Range Vision for Freight, which emphasizes a north-south freight corridor and an east-west freight corridor, is designed to facilitate the flow of freight, accommodate projected growth, and minimize adverse impacts on local communities.
Meeting the challenge of future freight activity is complicated by the rapidly changing face of the freight transportation landscape. Larger ships, doublestack and heavier rail cars, the containerization of cargo, time definite shipments, and e-commerce are profoundly affecting logistics systems and transportation choices. The Vision paper tries to address and anticipate these trends, issues, and opportunities.
Freight Plan Showcase [4.3 MB .pdf]
In support of the preparation of the Long-Range Vision for Freight, the DVRPC freight advisory committee conducted a unique supply chain exercise to educate planners and others about freight operations and needs.
2035 DVRPC Long-Range Vision for Freight
In 2010, DVRPC completed a report, DVRPC Long-Range Vision for Freight, in order to expand freight considerations in the Long-Range Plan. This report identifies a comprehensive list of policies, projects, and studies. The projects listed are not fiscally constrained, but represent a desired set of improvements for the DVRPC region. Recaps of the desired improvements for the principal modes are listed below:
Policies
The Policies section outlines a set of visions designed to better address the unique needs of the freight industry and to better integrate freight operations with community goals. The policies were grouped under five visions, which serve as overarching themes for DVRPC and the Delaware Valley Goods Movement Task Force. These policies may also be useful to county and municipal governments seeking to better manage freight activity within their respective jurisdictions. The five visions are:
- Vision 1: Recognize the Value of Freight
- Vision 2: Practice "Freight as a Good Neighbor" Strategies
- Vision 3: Be Environmentally Friendlier and More Sustainable
- Vision 4: Enhance the Links between Freight-Related Transportation and Land Use
- Vision 5: Make Operational Improvements
Freight Highway and Connector Program
The freight highway and connector program consists of roadway projects that are of special importance to freight. The projects listed in this section include projects on interstates and NHS intermodal freight connectors. The entire program totals approximately $7.8 billion in known costs to public roadways and $4.6 billion to the region's turnpikes.
Freight Rail Program
The goal of the freight rail program is to serve as a comprehensive list of all capital projects needed to improve the capacity and operations of the freight rail system. Projects range greatly in cost, from those around $500,000 to those over $500 million. The total program is estimated to represent roughly $1.46 billion in needs.
Distribution Facilities Program
The Distribution Facilities Program contains a list of the port facilities, air cargo facilities and distribution facilities in the DVRPC region that have plans for major expansion, thus increasing the cargo-processing capabilities of the region. While travel by water and air is not directly linked to traditional MPO funding categories, it is important to anticipate where major warehouse and distribution center expansions will occur.
2020 Freight Vision
The 2020 long range plan offered an optimistic and harmonious vision of future freight operations in the Delaware Valley.