Preserving and Protecting Freight Infrastructure and Routes Findings from NCFRP 24 Mark Meitzen, Principal InvestigatorAugust 2011

August 2011*Introduction and OutlineNCFRP 24 teamChristensen AssociatesUT Austin Center for Transportation ResearchGrow & BrueningAssistance from Kathryn PettThis presentation is a high-level summaryFreight transportation and its valueIncompatibilities between freight and other land usesFreight considerations in land use planning and zoningGreater detail on EnvisionFreight website and forthcoming final report

August 2011*Supply Chains and the Movement of FreightMost supply chains have an important spatial or geographic dimensionActivity hubs and links between hubsScope can be local, regional, national, internationalTransportation is the vital link in these networks between diverse locations and functionsRaw materialsVarious stages of production Warehousing and distributionRetail

August 2011*The Importance of Freight TransportationOn average, almost 11,000 ton-miles of freight is transported annually for every person in the U.S.Equivalent to one ton transported about half-way around the world for every personEfficient freight transportation is a key to minimizing supply chain costsIn general, over half of logistics costs are related to transportationSpeed and reliability are key factorsEfficiency of freight transportation has important implications for the economys performance

August 2011*The Role of Freight Transportation in Production and Distribution

August 2011*Incompatibilities Between Freight and other Land UsesPotential conflicts between freight operations and adjacent land usese.g., residential, commercial, schools, hospitals, etc.Particularly an issue in urban areasNuisanceCongestion, traffic issuesNoise, vibration, lightPollution and healthPhysical encroachment or interferenceSafetyAt-grade crossingsTrespassAccidents and spills

August 2011*Incompatibilities = Barriers to Efficient Freight Operations From freight perspective, these conflicts often interfere with freight operations. For example:Speed restrictionsHours of operation restrictionsClearance and weight limitationsCapacity constraintsCorridor design constraintsImplications for supply chain/logistics efficiency and reliability Higher production and distribution costs

August 2011*Physical Encroachment onto Railroad PropertySource: Chuck Burnell North Carolina Railroad

August 2011*Residential Development in Close Proximity to Port Activity, LA/LB CASource: The Impact Project, June 2009http://hydra.usc.edu/scehsc/pdfs/D-1-3%20Trade%20Health%20Environment.pdf

August 2011*Development Adjacent to WaterwaysSource: Mileski et al, Analysis and Recommendations on Protecting Waterways from Encroachment, Texas Transportation Institute, August, 2010.

August 2011*Development Adjacent/Around Freight FacilitiesKey Highway (Condominiums) Baltimore MDSource: Jim Dwyer, Talking Freight, November 19 2008.

August 2011*Trucks Queuing into Port, and Logistics FacilitiesSource: The Impact Project , LA/LB CA, June 2009http://hydra.usc.edu/scehsc/pdfs/D-1-3%20Trade%20Health%20Environment.pdfSource: Coalition for Clean and Safe Ports, Oakland CAhttp://www.workingeastbay.org/downloads/Port_Campaign_Overview.pdf

August 2011*Aircraft Noise - Residents Near Los Angeles International AirportSource: GAO Airport Operations and Future Growth Present Environmental Challenges,August 2000http://www.gao.gov/archive/2000/rc00153.pdf

August 2011*Poor Land Use Planning and Construction StandardsSource: Dale Hill Union Pacific

August 2011*Trespass is Major Issue for RailChildren crossing UP line in Anaheim CA to get to Ball Jr. High SchoolCrossing the tracks to get to San Onofre State Beach, CA

Source: Jon Waide FRA Region 7 Law Enforcement Liaison Officer

August 2011*Freight Preservation and Protection Strategies

Long-Range PlanningZoning and DesignMitigation Education and OutreachState Enabling Acts

Regional Visioning

Comprehensive Plans

Freight Facility Inventories

Official Maps

Purchase and Advance Acquisition

Land Swaps

Protective Condemnation

Permit Development

Access RightsZoning Standards

Buffer Areas

Overlay Districts

Lot Orientation

Property Design

Construction Standards

Sound Proofing Standards Buffer Areas

Noise and Vibration Treatment

Track Treatment

Yard Re-alignment

Grade Crossing Management

Port Gate Management

Environmental Measures

Zoning Measures

Public Outreach and Education

Relocation Informal Negotiations

Public Involvement

Multi-Jurisdictional Agreements

Public Outreach and Education

Stakeholder Roundtables and Freight/Community Committees

August 2011*Why Does Land Use Planning Matter to Freight?Planning provides roadmap for (good and bad) zoningInadequate planning can lead to projects that:Block or otherwise impact freight corridorsPut incompatible uses near, or encroaching on each otherReduce industrial land available near freight facilities (e.g., ports)Mitigation is often attempted when planning and zoning are inadequateMitigation can be expensive and is not always effectiveFreight has typically not been a significant element of land use planning

August 2011*Freight Compatible Planning and DevelopmentStarts with long-range land use planning that:Recognizes freight as a geographically-dispersed systemCorridors that span areas, not blobsProtects and preserves the freight system Permits future expansion of, and efficiency improvements to, the freight systemAvoid or minimize incompatibilities with other land uses. For example:Buffer areasLocations of commercial, residential, schools, hospitals, etc.Lot orientation, building layout, construction guidelines

August 2011*Land Use Authority in the U.S.

August 2011*State Enabling ActsState statute (enabling act) delegates the states land use authority to local governments and specifies:Extent of authorityRequired planning mattersRequired procedural stepsRequired planning documents (comprehensive plan, zoning ordinances, zoning map, subdivision ordinances, etc.)Very few include freight operations as a required planning element

August 2011*Typical Local Government Land Use System

August 2011*Local Land Use is Influenced by Other Processes

August 2011*MPOs and Regional VisionsMPOs mandated by federal law for metro areasEstablish long-range transportation plans (2030 years) and short-term (5 years) transportation improvement programsThese plans can be key places to protect freight Local governments generally protect MPO-designated corridors from land use encroachmentRegional visions non-binding, long term (25-50 yrs)Typically sponsored by MPOs, councils of govt, etcLocal governments are key stakeholdersIn most visioning processes, freight has not been a key component to this point

August 2011*Some Reasons for Inadequate Freight PlanningMost state enabling acts dont include freight as a required planning element Thus, not included in comprehensive plans or zoningNot perceived as a local government issueBenefits of freight are too removed, poorly understoodLocal government only sees a piece of the systemFreight providers not always cooperativeEducation and communication issuesPlanning degrees dont provide freight educationFreight stakeholders often arent involved in land use planning and visioning processes

August 2011*Proposed Approach for Improving Freight PlanningAmend state enabling acts to make freight planning required in local comprehensive plansInclude freight in regional visions and MPO long-range plansCreate zoning ordinances that prescribe design criteria for freight-compatible developmentInvolvement and communicationFreight stakeholders need to get involved in regional and local planning processesPlanners and elected officials need to invite freight stakeholders to the table

August 2011*www.EnvisionFreight.comWebsite developed for NCFRP 24 with info on:The value of freight transportationPlanning and preservation strategiesMitigation approachesIllustrative case studiesUrban freight operation issues and strategies highlighted in case studies. For example:SIRR corridor preservation and rehabilitationMIZOD overlay zone to preserve port assetsARFMP regional freight planning involving multiple stakeholdersIntermodal relocation capacity and congestion