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National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP)

The 2026 National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP) establishes a coordinated national framework for strengthening the safety, efficiency, resilience, security, innovation, and workforce of the U.S. freight system. It provides a long-term, multimodal strategy to guide Federal freight policy, investment, and partnership, while supporting State, local, Tribal, and private-sector efforts to improve freight movement across the country.

2026 USDOT National Freight Strategic Plan

Federal law requires USDOT to periodically update and implement an NFSP. This latest edition of the Plan expands upon the insights of the inaugural 2020 document. It includes greater data-driven insights based solely on publicly available data to define national trends and challenges across the multimodal freight system; provides clearer planning and analysis frameworks for State and local agencies to consider and build upon during their own freight planning processes; and more clearly identifies opportunities for public sector agencies to work in collaboration and with the private sector to improve the performance of the National Multimodal Freight Network. It was developed through a multi-agency effort that includes extensive consultation with freight stakeholders and national experts.

Strategic Framework

The Plan defines a set of strategic goals that together define USDOT’s approach to freight transportation. These goals reflect the most pressing challenges facing the national freight system and provide a policy framework that guides Federal decision-making, investment, and coordination across modes and jurisdictions. Each strategic goal is supported by targeted strategies that emphasize multimodal connectivity, data-driven planning, risk management, and collaboration with public and private partners. 
 

GoalStrategic Objectives

A Safe Freight System


Reduce or eliminate serious injuries and fatalities of the freight system.

  1. Focus Federal safety resources on the highest-severity freight risks 
  2. Accelerate deployment of proven safety technologies in freight operations and infrastructure 
  3. Strengthen freight-specific hazardous materials safety and emergency preparedness
  4. Improve safety outcomes through targeted freight safety data and risk analysis

An Efficient Freight System

Improve system reliability and streamline government regulation.

  1. Reduce delay and unreliability at nationally significant freight bottlenecks
  2. Better utilize existing freight infrastructure through improved supply chain visibility
  3. Streamline Federal processes affecting freight project delivery and operations
  4. Promote integrated, multimodal freight planning and investment 

A Secure Freight System

Ensure the integrity of our Nation’s supply chains in support of national defense and economic prosperity.

  1. Protect and enhance freight assets critical to national defense mobility
  2. Reduce cargo theft, fraud, and physical security risks in freight supply chains
  3. Strengthen cybersecurity and operational security of freight systems
  4. Support secure freight corridors for strategic energy, industrial, and resource supply chains

A Resilient Freight System

Reduce risks to the freight system and improve our response approaches.

  1. Identify and mitigate single points of failure in the National Multimodal Freight Network
  2. Increase redundancy and rerouting capability on critical freight corridors
  3. Integrate risk and criticality analysis into freight planning and investment decisions
  4. Strengthen freight-focused preparedness, response, and recovery practices

An Innovative Freight System

Modernize freight infrastructure and foster game changing technologies.

  1. Support safe testing and deployment of advanced freight technologies
  2. Promote interoperable digital standards for freight data and operations
  3. Direct Federal research and pilots toward high-impact freight use cases
  4. Lower adoption barriers of proven innovations across the freight network

A Capable Freight Workforce

Build a skilled workforce for the 21st Century and improve quality of life.

  1. Strengthen workforce entry pathways into core freight concentrations
  2. Support upskilling and reskilling for a technology-enabled freight system
  3. Improve freight working conditions to support retention and safety
  4. Improve freight workforce data and planning

2020 National Freight Strategic Plan

Released by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in September 2020, the 2020 National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP) was the federal government’s first-ever comprehensive blueprint designed to implement the goals of the National Multimodal Freight Policy. Prompted by the FAST Act of 2015, the plan was developed to address growing pressures on the nation's supply chains, driven by an expanding economy, shifting demographics, and the rapid boom of e-commerce. 

Last updated: Monday, May 18, 2026