National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP)

The National Freight Strategic Plan defines the U.S. DOT’s vision and goals for the Nation’s multimodal freight system and defines strategies to achieve those goals. The Department developed this Plan through a multi-agency effort involving extensive consultation with freight stakeholders in both the public and private sectors. The Department will use it to guide national freight policy, programs, initiatives, and investments. The Plan will also be used to inform State freight plans and identify freight data and research needs. Additionally, it provides a framework for increased cross-sector, multijurisdictional, and multimodal coordination and partnerships. This Plan meets the requirement of the FAST Act to develop a strategic plan to implement the goals of the new National Multimodal Freight Policy.

USDOT National Freight Strategic Plan (Executive Summary)

USDOT National Freight Strategic Plan (Full Report)

Vision

The freight transportation system of the United States will strengthen our economic competitiveness with safe and reliable supply chains that efficiently and seamlessly connect producers, shippers, and consumers in domestic and foreign markets.

National Freight Policy Strategic Goals

This National Freight Strategic Plan supports the U.S. DOT strategic goals of Safety, Infrastructure, and Innovation.

SAFETY: Improve the safety, security, and resilience of the national freight system.

INFRASTRUCTURE: Modernize freight infrastructure and operations to grow the economy, increase competitiveness, and improve quality of life.

INNOVATION: Prepare for the future by supporting the development of data, technologies, and workforce capabilities that improve freight system performance.

Federal Role

The following principles can be used to guide U.S. DOT’s strategic leadership to support safe, efficient, and reliable goods movement.

• Modernize or eliminate unnecessary or duplicative regulations that inhibit supply chain efficiency, reduce incentives to innovation, delay project delivery, or raise costs to shippers and consumers; while protecting safety and environmental outcomes.
• Improve cross-sector, multijurisdictional, and multimodal collaboration to enhance intermodal connectivity and first-and last-mile connections, streamline interstate policies and regulations, and support multi-state investment.
• Provide targeted Federal resources and financial assistance to support freight projects that provide significant benefits to the national economy.
• Invest in freight data, analytical tools, and research to enhance the abilities of State, regional and local agencies to evaluate and address freight issues.