CHAPTER 701 —MULTIMODAL FREIGHT POLICY
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior
§70101. National multimodal freight policy
(a)
(b)
(1) to identify infrastructure improvements, policies, and operational innovations that—
(A) strengthen the contribution of the National Multimodal Freight Network to the economic competitiveness of the United States;
(B) reduce congestion and eliminate bottlenecks on the National Multimodal Freight Network; and
(C) increase productivity, particularly for domestic industries and businesses that create high-value jobs;
(2) to improve the safety, security, efficiency, and resiliency of multimodal freight transportation;
(3) to achieve and maintain a state of good repair on the National Multimodal Freight Network;
(4) to use innovation and advanced technology to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the National Multimodal Freight Network;
(5) to improve the economic efficiency and productivity of the National Multimodal Freight Network;
(6) to improve the reliability of freight transportation;
(7) to improve the short- and long-distance movement of goods that—
(A) travel across rural areas between population centers;
(B) travel between rural areas and population centers; and
(C) travel from the Nation's ports, airports, and gateways to the National Multimodal Freight Network;
(8) to improve the flexibility of States to support multi-State corridor planning and the creation of multi-State organizations to increase the ability of States to address multimodal freight connectivity;
(9) to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of freight movement on the National Multimodal Freight Network; and
(10) to pursue the goals described in this subsection in a manner that is not burdensome to State and local governments.
(c)
(1) carry out sections 70102 and 70103;
(2) assist with the coordination of modal freight planning; and
(3) identify interagency data sharing opportunities to promote freight planning and coordination.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 70101 was transferred and renumbered as
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (c).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of
§70102. National freight strategic plan
(a)
(1) develop a national freight strategic plan in accordance with this section; and
(2) publish the plan on the public Internet Web site of the Department of Transportation.
(b)
(1) an assessment of the condition and performance of the National Multimodal Freight Network established under section 70103;
(2) forecasts of freight volumes for the succeeding 5-, 10-, and 20-year periods;
(3) an identification of major trade gateways and national freight corridors that connect major population centers, trade gateways, and other major freight generators;
(4) an identification of bottlenecks on the National Multimodal Freight Network that create significant freight congestion, based on a quantitative methodology developed by the Assistant Secretary, which shall include, at a minimum—
(A) information from the Freight Analysis Framework of the Federal Highway Administration; and
(B) to the maximum extent practicable, an estimate of the cost of addressing each bottleneck and any operational improvements that could be implemented;
(5) an assessment of statutory, regulatory, technological, institutional, financial, and other barriers to improved freight transportation performance, and a description of opportunities for overcoming the barriers;
(6) a process for addressing multistate projects and encouraging jurisdictions to collaborate;
(7) strategies to improve freight intermodal connectivity;
(8) an identification of corridors providing access to energy exploration, development, installation, or production areas;
(9) an identification of corridors providing access to major areas for manufacturing, agriculture, or natural resources;
(10) an identification of best practices for improving the performance of the National Multimodal Freight Network, including critical commerce corridors and rural and urban access to critical freight corridors;
(11) an identification of best practices to mitigate the impacts of freight movement on communities;
(12) best practices for reducing environmental impacts of freight movement (including reducing local air pollution from freight movement, stormwater runoff, and wildlife habitat loss resulting from freight facilities, freight vehicles, or freight activity);
(13) possible strategies to increase the resilience of the freight system, including the ability to anticipate, prepare for, or adapt to conditions, or withstand, respond to, or recover rapidly from disruptions, including extreme weather and natural disasters;
(14) strategies to promote United States economic growth and international competitiveness;
(15) consideration of any potential unique impacts of the national freight system on rural and other underserved and historically disadvantaged communities;
(16) strategies for decarbonizing freight movement, as appropriate; and
(17) consideration of the impacts of e-commerce on the national multimodal freight system.
(c)
(d)
(1) after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment; and
(2) in consultation with State departments of transportation, metropolitan planning organizations, and other appropriate public and private transportation stakeholders.
(Added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 70102 was transferred and renumbered as
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b)(4).
Subsec. (b)(12) to (17).
Subsec. (c).
Subsec. (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of
§70103. National Multimodal Freight Network
(a)
(1) to assist States in strategically directing resources toward improved system performance for the efficient movement of freight on the Network;
(2) to inform freight transportation planning;
(3) to assist in the prioritization of Federal investment; and
(4) to assess and support Federal investments to achieve the national multimodal freight policy goals described in
(b)
(1)
(A) improving network and intermodal connectivity; and
(B) using measurable data as part of the assessment of the significance of freight movement, including the consideration of points of origin, destinations, and linking components of domestic and international supply chains.
(2)
(A) origins and destinations of freight movement within, to, and from the United States;
(B) volume, value, tonnage, and the strategic importance of freight;
(C) access to border crossings, airports, seaports, and pipelines;
(D) economic factors, including balance of trade;
(E) access to major areas for manufacturing, agriculture, or natural resources;
(F) access to energy exploration, development, installation, and production areas;
(G) intermodal links and intersections that promote connectivity;
(H) freight choke points and other impediments contributing to significant measurable congestion, delay in freight movement, or inefficient modal connections;
(I) impacts on all freight transportation modes and modes that share significant freight infrastructure;
(J) facilities and transportation corridors identified by a multi-State coalition, a State, a State freight advisory committee, or a metropolitan planning organization, using national or local data, as having critical freight importance to the region;
(K) major distribution centers, inland intermodal facilities, and first- and last-mile facilities; and
(L) the significance of goods movement, including consideration of global and domestic supply chains.
(3)
(A) use, to the extent practicable, measurable data to assess the significance of goods movement, including the consideration of points of origin, destinations, and linking components of the United States global and domestic supply chains;
(B) consider—
(i) the factors described in paragraph (2); and
(ii) any changes in the economy that affect freight transportation network demand; and
(C) provide to the States an opportunity to submit proposed designations from the States in accordance with paragraph (4).
(4)
(A)
(i) consider nominations for additional designations from metropolitan planning organizations and State freight advisory committees, as applicable, within the State;
(ii) consider nominations for additional designations from owners and operators of port, rail, pipeline, and airport facilities; and
(iii) ensure that additional designations are consistent with the State transportation improvement program or freight plan.
(B)
(i) is a rural principal arterial;
(ii) provides access or service to energy exploration, development, installation, or production areas;
(iii) provides access or service to—
(I) a grain elevator;
(II) an agricultural facility;
(III) a mining facility;
(IV) a forestry facility; or
(V) an intermodal facility;
(iv) connects to an international port of entry;
(v) provides access to a significant air, rail, water, or other freight facility in the State; or
(vi) has been determined by the State to be vital to improving the efficient movement of freight of importance to the economy of the State.
(C)
(i)
(ii)
(D)
(i) a list of any additional designations proposed to be added under this paragraph; and
(ii) a certification that—
(I) the State has satisfied the requirements of subparagraph (A); and
(II) the designations referred to in clause (i) address the factors for designation described in this subsection.
(E)
(c)
(Added
Editorial Notes
Prior Provisions
A prior section 70103 was transferred and renumbered as
Prior sections 70104 to 70121 were transferred and renumbered as
Amendments
2021—Subsec. (a).
Subsec. (b).
Subsec. (b)(1).
Subsec. (b)(2), (3).
Subsec. (b)(3)(C).
Subsec. (b)(4)(C)(i).
Subsec. (b)(4)(E).
Subsecs. (c), (d).
Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries
Effective Date
Section effective Oct. 1, 2015, see section 1003 of