# Presentation: 664388

## NCHRP Project 8-47

***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**

## NCHRP 8-47Agenda

**Project Background**
**Approach Guidelines**
**Guidebook Development**
**Overview of Guidebook**

## 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**

## 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**

## 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**

## 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**

## NCHRP 8-47Guidebook Architecture

**NCHRP 8-47****Guidebook Architecture**

**Module 1 ****– *****Using the Guidebook***

**Module 2 ****– *****Getting Started***

**Notes:**
(lack of advocates/champions)

## 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**

## NCHRP 8-47Integration of Initial Freight Program Evaluation Processes

**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**

**Notes:**
(lack of advocates/champions)

## 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 
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/FPD/index.asp |
| Related Activities | Provides foundation for all subsequent freight planning activities |

**Notes:**
(lack of advocates/champions)

## 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 
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/FPD/index.asp |
| Related Activities | Provides foundation for all subsequent freight planning activities |

**Notes:**
(lack of advocates/champions)

## 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
http://ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/FPD/index.asp |
| Related Activities | Provides foundation for all subsequent freight planning activities |

**Notes:**
(lack of advocates/champions)

## 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  **

## NCHRP 8-47Example of Freight Program Development

**Freight Planning Process**

**Education and Outreach**

**Quick Start Action Items**

## NCHRP Project 8-47

***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**