Laura Richards: Alright. Hello, everyone! Thank you so much for joining. We're gonna give another minute or 2 here to have folks hop on and get settled, but we will get started shortly.
Laura Richards: No one is speaking right now. Sorry just seeing in the chat, but if you can hear this, then your audio is good.
Laura Richards: I'm gonna give it just a couple more seconds here and then we'll go ahead and get started.
Laura Richards: Okay, why don't we go ahead and get started. We'll have a couple of folks trickle in. That's okay. I am Laura Richards, and I am with the Us. Department of Transportation Volpe Center supporting the effort to update the national freight strategic plan and here to share information about that update with you all today. So again.
Laura Richards: thank you so much for being here and for joining us, and we're excited to hear your comments and feedback about the plan. So a couple of housekeeping notes
Laura Richards: we will not be sharing the slides or the webinar after this event. So this is, you know, the only time this information is available we do have closed captioning for the webinar, so on your zoom window along the bottom you should see several icons. There will be one that says captions there, or, if not, there's a button that says more.
Laura Richards: You can click on that, and there'll be a captions option there, so you can select captions there. You can select language and then turn it off by clicking it again, if you like.
Laura Richards: We will have some poll questions that will pop up during the presentation. So please keep an eye out for that, and I'll mention it when they're going to be showing up, and we will have a Q&A pod, and we do have a Q&A pod, and that also is located along the bottom of your screen. In the icons there should be one that says Q. And a. So if you click it, the question and answer box will open up.
Laura Richards: You can submit questions at any point. Throughout this presentation all audio lines are muted, so you will need to put any questions in that box. We will address all questions during a dedicated Q&A period at the end of the webinar.
Laura Richards: Okay? And on the next slide here is the link to the Federal Register. We are excited to hear your opinions about this update to the national freight strategic plan. You can submit them through the Federal Register link available on the screen, and also will be popped into the chat through August 14.th So August 14th is the deadline. We do want to hear from you, so please, you know. Share your thoughts with us
Laura Richards: by August 14, th
Laura Richards: and on the next slide is the agenda for today. So in a moment here I will be handing it over to our colleague to introduce our Deputy Assistant Secretary. After that we will share an update on our approach to updating the national freight strategic plan, the 2025 national freight strategic plan. And then we'll hold A. Q&A session, where we will address any questions that have come in through the chat box throughout the presentation, and then any that come up during the question and answer period as well.
Laura Richards: and we do have a quick poll to get us started.
Laura Richards: So if we can do the poll quickly, hopefully, you all got a window pop up on your screen. It says, what mode of transportation do you primarily work with? And we're saying, you know, maybe over 50% of the time.
Laura Richards: If just one, if you can. Please fill out the poll.
Laura Richards: and we have results populating. Now that is great.
Laura Richards: I am not seeing the results, however, though, so I cannot live.
Laura Richards: Present these results.
Laura Richards: Okay.
Laura Richards: Oh, great.
Laura Richards: They can be shared after we close the poll. So everyone please continue to put your answers in there. We'll give it another minute, and then we'll close it and share the results with you.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Why, why not? In the meantime, while we're we're waiting for the results on this poll, I'll go ahead and and start
Baumer, Paul (OST): our introduction of our Deputy Assistant Secretary. So my name's Paul Baumer. I am the deputy director for infrastructure development in the office of multimodal freight infrastructure and policy, and I'm very excited today to be leading this project with the
Baumer, Paul (OST): guidance of our Deputy Assistant Secretary, Kathy Gautreaux. Kathy comes to us with a lengthy freight experience in Louisiana, touching all modes as well as experience in usdot in our previous trump administration, and we could not be more happy to have her here to help us with this update to the national freight strategic plan and leading our office of multimodal freight infrastructure and policy. Kathy.
Cathy Gautreaux: Well, thank you so much, Paul, for that kind of introduction. Yes, I am happy to be here. I am very excited to be working on the update to the national Freight Strategic plan.
Cathy Gautreaux: I know from firsthand experience, working in the trucking industry alongside partners in rail and maritime industries that freight movement relies on all modes to get where it needs to go, and that a well functioning freight system is multimodal.
Cathy Gautreaux: The administration has prioritized, strengthening our economy and a safe and efficient freight system is the backbone of a strong economy. The 2020 national freight strategic plan prepared by the last Trump Administration was a strong 1st edition of the plan.
Cathy Gautreaux: But a lot has changed in the 5 years since that since then, which is why we need your input and assistance to help us with the 2025 nsf. Nfsp.
Cathy Gautreaux: We really appreciate the time that you will put into comments. You provide to the request for information. And we really really value your input thank you so much for participating in this webinar. And I am looking forward to listening to you and also reading your comments. So thank you so much.
Laura Richards: All right. Wonderful. Thank you both. And we have our poll results in. So it looks like about 57% of you spend 50% or more of your time on roadway and trucking. And the next highest we have is 33% for multiple modes. We have 15% who work with rail, 14% ports, maritime.
Laura Richards: 4%, other 3% aviation and 1% pipeline. So that's the mix we have today. And again, thank you all so much for attending. We're excited to hear your feedback.
Laura Richards: So we'll be going over the national Freight strategic plan Update the 2025 update and we'll cover new statutory requirements, the planned approach and analysis and the timeline for this work.
Laura Richards: And on the next slide, hopefully, you're familiar with the 2020 national Freight Strategic plan. This is and was the 1st ever National Freight Strategic plan. It was a requirement of the fast act.
Laura Richards: and it described the conditions and performance of the multimodal freight network key freight trends and challenges strategic goals and objectives to improve the nation's freight movements. Among other things, this 1st Ever Plan also identified the Federal role in freight systems
Laura Richards: as modernizing or eliminating unnecessary or duplicative regulations, supporting freight investments.
Laura Richards: investing in freight data, analytical tools and research
Laura Richards: and improving cross-sector, multi-jurisdictional and multimodal collaboration.
Laura Richards: And we have one more poll for you all. So if you're able to pull that poll up, please.
Laura Richards: this one is, how have you used the national freight strategic plan? So the 2020 plan? Hopefully, you have taken a look at it, and if so, have you used it to inform your agency's freight plan, analysis and strategy? Have you used it to support research.
Laura Richards: to gain clarity on public sector, roles or priorities and freight. Maybe you've not used it at all. That's a none that's totally fine. Or maybe there's been some other use you've found, and if there is some other use. Please add some info into the questions, Pod, so we can understand how this, if it was a resource, was a resource for you.
Laura Richards: so we'll give you all a couple minutes to fill that out. And as you do, I can just speak a little bit more to the
Laura Richards: 1st National freight strategic plan. The 2020 Plan. The vision statement identified for that plan is that freight transportation system of the United States will strengthen our economic competitiveness with safe and reliable supply chains. Excuse me, and efficiently and seamlessly connect producers, shippers, and consumers in domestic and foreign markets.
Laura Richards: So a tall order, a worthy goal.
Laura Richards: and you know something. We'll be incorporating into this 2025 update as well.
Laura Richards: And I think we have over 70% of folks that have replied to the poll already, so if you haven't, please do so, and then I'll get the results here in one second and share them with you
Laura Richards: all right. It looks like
Laura Richards: 36% of you have not used the national freight strategic plan. So please use the Federal Register to comment and share your opinions about how we can make it a more valuable tool and resource to you all in your work, if you are one of the ones that answered, none.
Laura Richards: 35% of you used it to inform your agency's freight plan, analysis and strategy. And similarly, another 35 used it to gain clarity on public sector, roles and priorities in freight.
Laura Richards: And then we have 21% of you who used it to support research and 3% who
Laura Richards: indicated in other category, and I was just popping over, and I don't see anything in the Q. And a. Just yet, so please feel free to share the other way that you utilized it. And we can, you know, incorporate that into our update as well.
Laura Richards: For now let's move on to the next slide. So speaking, to the 2025 National Freight Strategic Plan Update the Infrastructure Investments and Job Act Jobs Act included 6 new requirements for the National Freight strategic plan. So those 6, plus the original 11 fall under these 4 broad categories here of statutory requirements that the plan must meet.
Laura Richards: they must, or the plan must define system characteristics.
Laura Richards: identify trends and challenges, develop strategies and highlight effective practices.
Laura Richards: So with these new requirements, you know, we will be looking to meet all the statutory requirements and to be consistent with any relevant executive orders. In this 2025 national freight strategic plan update.
Laura Richards: And on the next slide we discuss the trends and challenges section. So the 2020 plan did identify the following trends and challenges, growing population and economy diversifying global supply chains, rising domestic fuel production, changing urban and rural dynamics, increasing e-commerce, advancing technology and an evolving workforce.
Laura Richards: So we will be updating these trends and challenges and including information and insights from what has happened since we know that a lot has changed since the 2020 plan. We've had significant infrastructure investment. We have new technologies and technological advancements, we have emerging and expanding modes of delivery. There's been an explosion of e-commerce.
Laura Richards: The consumer and delivery patterns have changed both on the freight and the passenger side. And there have been changes in sourcing and trade patterns globally. So we will be looking to incorporate these and other changes in the updated trends and challenges section and please feel free to share any that you've noted in your comments in the Federal Register.
Laura Richards: and we have another poll for you all as well.
Laura Richards: So if you could pop the poll up now, this one, we're not going to get the responses live, but we will be taking these and again incorporating them into our update. So we're curious about what trends you've experienced in the last 5 years and that have affected freight operations movement or availability in your area.
Laura Richards: So what changes have you noted within your work, or even in your personal life, related to freight operations, movement, and availability, that you kind of clock as a trend, a new trend or challenge.
Laura Richards: I'll give you all a minute or 2 to answer that.
Laura Richards: And so just a little bit more detail about this section, you know, even if you've read the plan, it's hard to call up exactly what each component covered. But in the trends and challenges section. We do look to describe the social, the geopolitical, the economic and business trends that are affecting goods movement. And so we incorporate all of those into our description of the current trends and challenges that we're we're noting now.
Laura Richards: So just some thoughts, for as you're thinking through anything that you've noticed in the last 5 years. With respect to trends or challenges.
Laura Richards: Okay, we'll move on here in 1 min. So please put your answer in.
Laura Richards: If you have not already.
Laura Richards: And again, we're using this as feedback to incorporate into the plan. So
Laura Richards: if you think of something later that you don't think of now, you can also please submit it in the Federal Register, and we will be incorporating it that way, too. However, if you have any ideas now about trends and challenges. Please share them, and we can incorporate them on the front end.
Laura Richards: We'll give it just one more minute. I think we've we've got about 35% of people have submitted a response so far.
Laura Richards: okay, we're up to about 50% of folks now.
Laura Richards: So just a little bit longer, and then we'll move on to the next slide.
Laura Richards: Okay.
Laura Richards: let's move on to the next slide. So thank you. Everyone who shared some immediate feedback with us again. Not the last opportunity. You can put thoughts in the Federal Register, and we will be incorporating that as well.
Laura Richards: So the 2025 update will include the draft national multimodal freight network. A draft of the national multimodal freight network, or the Nmfn was released for comment earlier this year. Currently, Usdot is working through the comments that have been received to make a determination on finalizing that draft network.
Laura Richards: At the moment we have 78,274 miles of highway represented, we have approximately or just over 80,000 miles of rail represented. We have just over 21,000 miles of inland waterway, represented 140 marine ports and 57 airports.
Laura Richards: So ultimately, when the national multimodal freight network is completed, it will include mileage by mode, conditions, by mode performance by mode and nationally significant bottlenecks or choke points by mode.
Laura Richards: Once we finalize this draft national multimodal freight network based on the comments we've received. It'll be shared back to States, and they'll have an opportunity to communicate or coordinate with Usdot on that final
Laura Richards: update.
Laura Richards: And ultimately, you know, having this draft plan to work from is a step up from our 2020 plan. We, you know, per statute, are supposed to describe the conditions and performance for the national multimodal freight network. But it didn't exist at that point, even in draft form.
Laura Richards: So this time around, we will be able to have something that's much more definitive and as noted in the slide. Once finalized, that network will be able to assist the States and strategically directing resources
Laura Richards: towards improving system performance on that network, inform transportation, planning and assistant prioritization and to assess and support Federal investments to achieve the national modal or excuse me. National multimodal freight policy goals and the national highway freight program goals.
Laura Richards: And on the next slide you can see that that national multimodal freight network kind of feeds into this other component of the plan which is corridor identification.
Laura Richards: Now, in the 2020 plan, we, as I just noted, did not have a draft or final national multimodal freight network. As a result, our corridors were very high level in general, as you can see on the map there on the left.
Laura Richards: With this Update in this 2025 iteration of the National Freight Strategic plan, we will be able to identify specific corridors on the national multimodal freight network. And we'll be able to spatially
Laura Richards: define corridors with other performance and condition insights which will allow us to define clear and actionable trends across that freight network.
Laura Richards: So per statute for the corridor identification. We will be evaluating 4 sectors. Those are architecture, agriculture. Excuse me, manufacturing national resources and our national natural resources and energy, and we'll be including the following information for each of those 4 sectors, we will be identifying the highest volume of those resources, identifying where
Laura Richards: those highest volume corridors are and identifying the conditions and performance issues specific to each of those 4 sector corridors.
Laura Richards: And on the next slide we can see a little bit more information about what will be included in each of those corridors that we will be and are identifying. We are using publicly available data for this corridor identification analysis, including freight analysis, framework, Faf, National Bridge, inventory, national performance, management, research data set
Laura Richards: Npmrds and Jason's law as well as others.
Laura Richards: So for each of the industries. Again, their agriculture, manufacturing, energy, and natural resources will be evaluating the highest volume. Corridors for each of those industries, and within each of those corridors will describe the conditions and performance trends which include the list on this slide. And I'll read through these here. The average annual daily traffic.
Laura Richards: urban or rural areas, infrastructure conditions, reliability, congestion and freight involved fatalities.
Laura Richards: So we'll have a much more complete and thorough corridor identification in this update. And thank you on the next slide. We'll be discussing the
Laura Richards: freight investment analysis.
Laura Richards: So in the 2025 plan update, we will be looking at what investments have been put into the freight system from 2022 to 2026. And I do want to note quickly to start that there will be limitations here. We'll be completing this analysis, using State freight plans and the investments that have been identified in the State freight plans.
Laura Richards: Those plans are snapshots in time. Things could have changed since then, and they're also not necessarily consistent in terms of what's reported across jurisdictions. However, they provide the best information we have. One other note about the limitation is that
Laura Richards: the State freight plans focus on national highway freight programs funding because they are a requirement of that program and that they might not fully capture the other modes of the rail, the water, or the air investments.
Laura Richards: However, what we are doing is looking through all of the plans and grant announcements which I'll get more into on the next slide that are related to freight. And we're using the national multimodal freight network joining the information together to identify what investments were included in State freight plans that are along the national multimodal freight network, and what grant awards have been awarded that are also along or on the national multimodal freight network.
Laura Richards: And this will help us demonstrate the difference between the existing and the current and future state of the national multimodal freight network. So we'll be able to show what investments have begun or are planned to be completed on our national multimodal freight network, which shows us in part some of the impact of the Iija investments.
Laura Richards: and on the next slide we have information about the grants that I mentioned. So as we just discussed.
Laura Richards: Dot Usdot is also leveraging existing freight related grant programs to add to freight investments in this analysis. So this is the list of the competitive grants awarded by usdot that will be incorporated in the analysis if and when they impact the national multimodal freight network
Laura Richards: and we'll be processing these in the analysis. Similarly to the formula fund investments that we discussed on the previous slide.
Laura Richards: So again, the specific grant programs that will be included are grouped here by mode. So you can see for marine port infrastructure development program, marine highway program for rail. We have the Consolidated Rail infrastructure and safety improvements.
Laura Richards: the railroad crossing elimination Grants, the Federal State partnership for inner city passenger rail grants for truck, we have the bridge investment program, and then we have several that could apply to multiple modes under our multiple category here, including build which is raised, now raise or was raised, is now build. Excuse me, infra mega rural protect and smart grants.
Laura Richards: So just to note again, you know there is a limitation within these, but these are kind of our best
Laura Richards: picture at a snapshot of the investments that have been incorporated into the national multimodal freight network and the impact
Laura Richards: of the Iij investments.
Laura Richards: And I believe next slide we.
Laura Richards: we'll be looking at your state freight plans. So we just discussed how we will be incorporating investments that have been identified in State freight plans. We also will be looking at what multimodal bottlenecks and choke points were identified in State freight plans, and we'll be collecting any notable practices that have been identified in state freight plans and incorporating those into the update.
Laura Richards: So notable practices on topics specified in the national Freight strategic plan requirements so that might include mitigating community impacts, improving performance on the national multimodal freight network
Laura Richards: and or reducing environmental impacts and can include emissions runoff or habitat loss.
Laura Richards: So I think we have one more poll here for you if we can pop that up. This is another kind of free answer, one.
Laura Richards: And we would love to hear from you about what practices that should be highlighted in the next national freight Strategic plan. Are there particular requirements or topics? Your agency would benefit
Laura Richards: from hearing from national examples. So again, this is an opportunity to provide some feedback that we can incorporate here on the front end. So if anything comes to mind about what practices you would like to see highlighted. Maybe that's something that you've included in your own plan, you know. Feel free to also pop it in here, or something that you've learned heard of or started since
Laura Richards: then, definitely pop it in here because we wouldn't be able to grab it from your most recent plan.
Laura Richards: And similarly, you know, if something comes to mind after this, please also share that information in the Federal Register, we will be incorporating those comments in the plan as well, however, very helpful to get any feedback you have on the front end here so that we can continue forward with our update, with that information included. And I do have just some answers we've received so far
Laura Richards: for this question. We've heard mode conversion, truck parking activities, best practices and grant opportunities all related to truck parking
Laura Richards: 3 P's or how to's for truck parking. So a lot of truck parking there.
Laura Richards: role of autonomous vehicles and moving freight and serving identified terminals, including best practices for facility, design, and designation. Some, a request for some best practices about agriculture, another plug for truck, parking.
Laura Richards: freight, mobility, strategies, freight advisory committee, engagement and freight implementation and action plan methods of supporting intermodal access. So these are all great. Please continue to put your suggestions, comments, thoughts in here.
Laura Richards: freight, decarbonization and electrification transition to 0 emission vehicles and clean energy
Laura Richards: funding and land use for building new truck parking and modal optimization or getting the right traffic on the right mode.
Laura Richards: So again, wonderful. Thank you so much for those comments.
Laura Richards: Please feel free to share
Laura Richards: anything else that comes to mind. Let me see about how many we've had reply. Let's leave it open, maybe another minute or so. So anyone else can add in their thoughts, okay, we've had about 25% of folks share thoughts on poll question number 4. So if any of the other 75% of you have any thoughts, please feel free to drop it in here
Laura Richards: again, very helpful for us to hear from you, so that we can address and incorporate these in the plan update. Similarly.
Laura Richards: if something comes to mind after this, webinar, please share it in the Federal Register, and we can incorporate it that way, but helpful to hear from you. Now, if anything comes to mind.
Laura Richards: and especially if something wasn't in your most recent State freight plan.
Laura Richards: we'll give it one more minute.
Laura Richards: Oh.
Laura Richards: okay, we've got about 29% of folks that have put in an answer. Now.
Laura Richards: Okay, but it's slowing down a little bit. I want to make sure anyone that has anything to put in gets a chance. But let's go ahead and move on to the next slide, and thank you all so much for your feedback on that
Laura Richards: we will be conducting a resiliency analysis as a part of the 2025 national freight strategic plan update. This will measure the risk of point failures where infrastructure on the national multimodal freight network has the most risk of a failure or an unexpected disruption. We want to get a sense of where those places are and get a start on kind of categorizing how or what
Laura Richards: types of points
Laura Richards: are most susceptible to those types of failures or disruptions. We will be doing model runs of the resiliency and disaster recovery tool, the Rdr tool. It describes various threat types and their impacts on selected areas across the country, and the output from the model in the report will be case studies illustrating how this and similar tools can help inform
Laura Richards: project selection. So you know. Again, we'll be looking at exposure, analysis of known threats to the multimodal. Excuse me, national multimodal freight network by mode
Laura Richards: and by threat type, and will demonstrate publicly available tools that States and regions can use in their own project identification and prioritization process as a part of that.
Laura Richards: Yes.
Laura Richards: and on the next slide. We'll also be including existing modal indicators in the 2025 update. So we'll be aggregating various freight performance indicators that are already published by mode
Laura Richards: and where possible, integrating those international measures in the updated National freight strategic plan. So you can see we have some examples here along the bottom. The Us. Army Corps of Engineers has a locks dashboard. The Bts port performance, which covers a variety of different performance measures and the Fhwa truck travel, time, reliability performance measure will be incorporating all of these into this plan update.
Laura Richards: Okay? And next slide.
Laura Richards: That is the summary of the update to the 2025 national freight strategic plan.
Laura Richards: Paul, did you want to jump in here.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yeah, I just wanna say we've been capturing all the questions you sent in via the chat, and we've got quite a document here filling up with them.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So we're we're going to tackle them as we kind of go through but so please continue to submit those
Baumer, Paul (OST): and
Laura Richards: The other thing.
Baumer, Paul (OST): We'll just. We're really excited for all the engagement. I'll start, and you'll probably hear me say this. Repeatedly, as we go through these questions. You know, we are, you know, midstream with a lot of this work. But there's still a lot of work to come, and we do want to hear from you formally. In addition to the questions you've submitted here. So while we'll answer some of them here for those of you who have ideas.
Baumer, Paul (OST): especially if you don't like our answer, or you think there's something we're missing. Please do go to the Rfi that's published both at the Federal Register and@regulations.gov. And and respond to the questions there, because I think you'll find that we have a lot of interest in hearing from you on those questions.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So
Baumer, Paul (OST): I think we'll go ahead and and maybe get started. Laura, I think you've seen the document where Dj. Start to put in questions, and we can kind of go from there.
Laura Richards: Yes, I see the oh, excuse me, let me pull this up for one second. I just had the presentation up on my screen. So let me pull this document over here.
Laura Richards: All right, let's get started.
Laura Richards: How will the updated National Freight Strategic plan prioritize investment and policy for freight infrastructure in rural areas where critical supply chain links often lack adequate funding maintenance or multimodal connectivity. And Paul, did you want to answer that one.
Baumer, Paul (OST): And I think the sec. The next question right underneath. That, too, is a similar similar question.
Laura Richards: What criteria will usdot use to prioritize rural freight projects under this plan? Yeah, so.
Baumer, Paul (OST): I want to start by saying, you know, we are definitely, keenly aware of the challenges that rural areas face in supporting freight movement oftentimes, which is very burdensome on their infrastructure. And is something that you know, rural areas often don't have the adequate resources to deal with while being essential to the freight movement of our country, and and often being, you know, the areas where
Baumer, Paul (OST): 3 out of our 4 and increasingly all 4 of the of the sectors, of the economy that this plan is detailed to look at. Agriculture, natural resources, energy, and manufacturing rural areas are essential in all of those. It's important to point out that.
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know the national freight strategic plan. You know, it's not a you know a project planning you know, outline of here is the specific, this road here, this project here. That all flows out at a later stage, I think from what the Nfsp provides in terms of a framework of identifying our needs and our challenges.
Baumer, Paul (OST): so you know, we, it's something we're gonna pay very close attention to. If you've got specific
Baumer, Paul (OST): measures that you think would be helpful, that that you know that we should. We should investigate as part of the preparing this plan. Please put them in the Rfi if you have
Baumer, Paul (OST): a sense of of policies that would help ensure that rural areas are receiving the funding they need for infrastructure or otherwise. You know, please, you know, provide those in the Rfi. And we will. We will look in. Look into that as we start to formulate the plan.
Laura Richards: Great.
Laura Richards: Thank you.
Laura Richards: Our next question is, How is natural resource corridor generally defined or applied in the National Strategic plan?
Baumer, Paul (OST): And and yes, and energy corridors as well. It's an interesting term of art.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So for natural resources. You know, we're looking at raw commodities that are used as as part of natural resource extraction, or that that later flow into
Baumer, Paul (OST): more technologically downstream products. So things like sand, aggregate minerals, forestry products are a big part of natural resources. And we have, we have naics codes that we use to try to isolate. What are the commodities that you know really are natural resources in nature, and then where are those moving. And that's how we define natural resource corridors, energy. Very similarly, natural gas
Baumer, Paul (OST): oil coal related projects products in the in the fossil fuel space are obviously important parts of our energy economy, and and those are things that we'll be looking at and and per congressional direction. You know, we are the Nmfn.
Laura Richards: So we'll see.
Baumer, Paul (OST): We'll describe how the the multimodal
Baumer, Paul (OST): network in the Nfsp supports the exploration and extraction of those products right.
Laura Richards: Okay, wonderful. Next question is, what is the targeted date of release of this plan in draft comments, and they note that they're interested in the national multimodal freight network comments from their submission. In earlier
Laura Richards: earlier 2025.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So we are. We are definitely still in the process of reviewing the comments received on the national multimodal freight network draft
Baumer, Paul (OST): earlier this year, and that's something that's still on the top of our agenda we got a lot of comments over 75, and some of them really quite technical with dozens, if not hundreds, of different changes to the the plan being recommended. So we're still working through those mapping all of those and and factoring thinking through
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know how we want to approach the next edition of the Nmfm. We're also in, you know. Still, in a transition phase here. At the department where we're
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know that that last draft was put out by the previous administration, and we are. We're so we're thinking through how we want to improve it. Based on all of the feedback we received. The the draft Nfsp.
Baumer, Paul (OST): is we're hoping to have a you know, complete that this year. Obviously, your Rfi comments will be really helpful to us. We are midstream already on some of the analyses that we're undertaking. And but that said, you know, while these plans sort of live on in their 5 year plans, you know, we we do think there will be future opportunities to continue to learn and evolve from the plan potentially
Baumer, Paul (OST): at some point look to update it. You know, especially if if the Nmfn changes dramatically, or if there's a lot of calls for additional research which we're not able to complete this year, you know. That's something we could explore
Baumer, Paul (OST): continuing to do in the future. But but those decisions are yet to be made.
Laura Richards: Kind of examined.
Laura Richards: Okay, wonderful. Is it safe to assume that the base input for the strategic plan is primarily coming from the national multimodal freight network? Are there other inputs considered for the plan.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So, yeah, most of the analysis we're doing on in the National Fish Strategic plan is going to be based off of the draft national multimodal freight network.
Baumer, Paul (OST): that said we also are drawing from a variety of public infrastructure condition data to help identify the trends and challenges on the Nmfn. And we're we're looking not only in some of those public sources, but also building off the State freight plans and what they've identified. So.
Laura Richards: Oh, yeah.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, as as major assets in their States, and what their condition is.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So you know, we're we're we're being as broad as we can. But from a from a standpoint of what's our 1st 1st step of this? We're looking at that that draft nmfn, in terms of where to to focus our initial analysis.
Laura Richards: Okay, great. And out of the Iija requirements listed. What are the new requirements.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So if you if you go to the statute, they're the ones they just kind of get tacked on the end. So it's the 12th through the 17th requirement are the as listed in the statute are the new ones, but to summarize them
Baumer, Paul (OST): they they directed the plan to consider best practices for reducing environmental impacts of freight movement, possible strategies to increase the resilience of the freight system strategies to promote United States economic growth and international competitiveness.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Consideration of the potential unique impacts of the national freight system on rural and other underserved and historically disadvantaged communities strategies for decarbonizing freight as appropriate and considerations for the impacts of e-commerce on the national multimodal freight system. So those are the statutory elements that were added by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
Laura Richards: Okay. Is there a link to those comments on the draft? Nmfn.
Baumer, Paul (OST): If you go. If you look for the the Nmfn. That we published in January and the the Federal Register, notice that there that that the the Dockets office does have a a list of all the comments we received on that nmfn, so that's available on that. On that site. You can find it there.
Laura Richards: Great will you be, including marine highways and or maritime corridors.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Absolutely. It's a multimodal plan. So part of what we're trying to do with this plan is, you know, make sure to think about all of the modes that move freight as best we can. Now, not all modes are created equal when it comes to the data, availability, and the richness of resources we have. So you know, we're not always able to devote the same level of attention to detail, but we are certainly looking at maritime corridors as part of our analysis. The draft
Baumer, Paul (OST): national multimodal freight network includes a little over 21,000 miles of Inland, waterway and coastal waterway corridors. Includes over 140 or not over 140 marine ports. So those are part of the system that we are analyzing for this purpose.
Laura Richards: Okay, how will the Updated National Freight Strategic Plan address the condition, capacity, and funding needs of parallel routes and secondary corridors that serve as critical detour options. When major freight corridors are disrupted.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know there's there's no doubt that you know the system is not exclusive to just one network when things like this happen, when when there's major disruptions. Obviously, freight can shift and will shift. That said, you know, there there does have to be an effort to try to as Congress asked, you know, identify sort of a a subset of corridors as as nationally significant. And
Baumer, Paul (OST): how we, you know, define that is still somewhat being, you know, discussed through the national multimodal freight network process. But
Baumer, Paul (OST): I will say there are plenty of other sources as well. That also investigate the conditions and performance of just the transportation system. Broadly, so many of you are probably familiar with the Federal highways conditions and performance report that looks at
Baumer, Paul (OST): the entire Federal aid highway system, for example, and and reports out on the conditions and performance. So there are definitely other data sources available. We're going to focus at least initially on this on the conditions and performance of the Nmfm. But we definitely acknowledge that
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know, the Nmfn. Is is by no means the only place where freight moves or the only place that's important for freight. It's just it's it's representative of the the highest volumes, and and some of the volumes associated with sort of diverse and critical industries and sectors. But certainly there's there's a there's a much bigger system out there for sure.
Laura Richards: Okay, when reviewing State freight plans, will you review and consider unconstrained project lists in terms of funding, or only the constrained project lists.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So in terms of the retroactive analysis where we're looking at what has been the the benefit of the freight investments that have been made collectively at the state level, at the Federal level, at the local level. To the extent that we know about it. We're focused on those constraint lists because we're actually, we're trying to look at what are the projects that have been undertaken or being undertaken
Baumer, Paul (OST): over the last since 2020. Really, through through this year. And so looking at those State freight plans, those
Baumer, Paul (OST): often are reporting out on projects that are you know whether the plan was updated in 2023 or 2024. They're looking at the projects they're gonna be undertaking in the near future. And we're kind of assuming those from the constrained list. Those are the ones that are that are being undertaken.
Laura Richards: Great
Laura Richards: will. The Updated National Freight Strategic Plan include provisions or guidance allowing the use of Federal funds at the State, Mpo. Or Rpo. Level to support grant writing and application development for freight related infrastructure projects.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, it's an interesting question. I hadn't considered that. If that's something that you know that that you think would be helpful for the Department to promulgate or would be in a critical, you know, change in policy that would would help freight movement. You should make that recommendation to us in the Rfi. And we'll we'll consider that. You know, this isn't just about
Baumer, Paul (OST): identifying bottlenecks or or or categorizing the systems that it currently exists in certain ways. But the plan is also really intended to explore kind of policy changes and and potential approaches that will help freight investment and and and freight movement in general freight operations advance
Baumer, Paul (OST): in the future. So if that's something that you think is a gap right now in the way we we go about thinking about these investments. Please feel free to provide us more detail on that. In response to the Rfi.
Laura Richards: Alright. And what about faa grants, as aviation relates to freight especially high value freight.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So we're we've got a great intermodal working group here at the department where we're engaging with our partners in the operating administrations. To make sure we've got the best
Baumer, Paul (OST): information available. So I'm happy to say Faa is a part of that group, and we are working with them to determine. Which of their, you know, formula investments we can. We can categorize that support air cargo.
Baumer, Paul (OST): That's something that's still underway. Also, I will note that some of our multimodal programs do have some air cargo related investments that have been made historically, that we will absolutely be, including, as we think about analyzing the the projects that have been investments that have been made.
Laura Richards: Okay, will river locks, dams be included as multimodal bottlenecks and choke points.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yeah. So as I think we saw in one of the slides, lock performance is is definitely something that's 1 of the data points that we'll be incorporating into our assessment of the performance of our inland waterway system in particular to help identify maybe waterborne bottlenecks. We're also working with other agencies like the Coast Guard to see if there are other
Baumer, Paul (OST): performance. Related data sets that we could look at and think about in analyzing how our waterway system and our coastal system works in terms of bottlenecks, or or or pain points.
Laura Richards: Okay. Wonderful as State freight plans are now to be completed every 4 years. Some States may be starting their freight plan updates in the next year or so. How will the National Freight Strategic Plan account for these updates?
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, as we, we work to to complete this 2025 update, we obviously are dependent on on what's been
Baumer, Paul (OST): advanced and and completed in the last couple of years from our States, beginning, really in 2022 all the way through this past year. But you know.
Baumer, Paul (OST): I'm right now. I'm focused on the next 6 months. But but you know, beyond that, I think we, we do have a goal of having a you know, a continual kind of refreshment and understanding of what's changing and what's shifting. So we're not only visiting this question once every 5 years.
Baumer, Paul (OST): but we are obviously our office is responsible for the review and approval of State freight plans, as those are brought up to date every so often. So we get to hear from you in that draft form. If you prepare one of those plans that helps inform our thinking so I don't have any formal
Baumer, Paul (OST): accounting steps that that to announce at this time. But I will say our office that is doing. The national Free Strategic plan is also responsible for the ongoing, working with the States on on their expertise and reviewing and approving State free plan. So it is something that it's a conversation that's not gonna end this year. But it's something that's gonna continue.
Laura Richards: Great.
Laura Richards: And will there be any bottlenecks identified, based on a uniform nationwide data set or methodology? In addition to the statewide roll up.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yes, so we are. You know, we're we're trying to approach the the challenge from from both sides. So obviously, the States have really great detailed information
Baumer, Paul (OST): about what's going on in their state. But we do see the value in also doing sort of standardized nationwide assessments as well. A great example of this is highways where you know that's probably our richest data set when it comes to congestion and performance for historical reasons. So we'll be looking at some of the published bottlenecks that Atri puts out other researchers that focus on this question.
Baumer, Paul (OST): In addition to what the States have identified in their State Free plans. To try to kind of you know. Bring a comprehensive view as we we ingest all of this data and think about how we want to share it back with.
Laura Richards: With the.
Baumer, Paul (OST): The public. If you have a specific point of view on what's more useful, what's less useful? You know, a lot of this stuff is already published by like, I said, other other research outfits and others, if you think something is, has is missed the mark, and we shouldn't really factor that in, or something's really
Baumer, Paul (OST): the nail on the head, and you think it's really valuable. Please let us know with the Rfi.
Laura Richards: You leave this?
Laura Richards: Yeah, okay, will you be using the freight mobility trends analysis for bottleneck identifications.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yep. Frame mobility trends underpins both our congestion and reliability measures. That help to find bottlenecks. So that's really solid work and and is, is definitely going to be incorporated into our assessment.
Laura Richards: Okay. And what is the connection between the National Freight Strategic plan and the national Multimodal Freight network.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yeah. You know, that's a great question. So the national multimodal freight network, both of the the network and the plan are things that the Congress has asked the Department to do specifically the office of multimodal freight infrastructure and policy. And if you look at the statute, the National Freight strategic plan. A lot of the requirements for what's in the plan are really meant to be based off of
Baumer, Paul (OST): having designated the national multimodal freight network and and doing the analysis of that network. And and then and then producing that plan.
Baumer, Paul (OST): we have a draft of that network that's been published. We've gotten a lot of really great comments on it. And we are still analyzing those comments and thinking through. So while we don't have a designated national multimodal freight network, we have at least an initial sense of of what we think will be on it, although it's possible that there'll be more to it as we, as we continue to ingest those comments, most of which requested specific additions
Baumer, Paul (OST): to the network. Also, in addition to designating the network at the Federal level, there's also a role that that Congress has given States, once the network has been designated to go ahead and add more to it as well. And up to 30% more after it's been designated. So
Baumer, Paul (OST): investors.
Baumer, Paul (OST): that network is gonna continue to evolve. And you know, we're using the draft right now to inform our analysis, the but once the States have finished their process, some point in the future after we designate the network, and then they add to it, you know they'll there'll be a revisiting of all of this.
Laura Richards: So related, and maybe driving the point home, will the final national multimodal freight network be released as a part of the national freight strategic plan?
Baumer, Paul (OST): No, that's not currently the plan. Because obviously, there's a there's a 2 steps that have to happen before we have a final Nmfm. The 1st step is designating it. The second step is
Laura Richards: About it. It's.
Baumer, Paul (OST): The second step is is the the States adding their 30 on top of that. And and that's not something we know they're gonna want to take that very carefully and deliberately. So right now, they're not necessarily on the exact same timeline but but we are sort of advancing the ball in both areas. and and hoping to. You know. Continue this this dialogue we have with all of you, on on freight policy.
Laura Richards: Okay, great. So corridor identification will address agriculture, energy, manufacturing, and other natural resources. Is there a 5.th
Baumer, Paul (OST): No, those areas are in the statute those are the 4 that are called out in statute. So those are the 4 areas that we are the sectors of the economy that we are looking at.
Laura Richards: Will the national freight and logistics optimization works model be linked into the 2025 plan update.
Baumer, Paul (OST): No, not really. The the flow is a really important initiative. That's that's focused on providing a number of participants in our supply chain systems with the information to make smart operational decisions when it comes to moving equipment and and and directing demand and supply
Baumer, Paul (OST): for you know, import volumes at this stage we've got. We've got big plans to continue to foster that community and and build it and learn from it. But it doesn't really align with what we're doing
Baumer, Paul (OST): here on our national free strategic plan. At this time, maybe at some point in the future. there's there's there's a better way. But but for now that's really focused on sort of the operational decisions that companies are making in real time. In like the 30, 60 90 day window.
Baumer, Paul (OST): This is this effort is really focused on a on a a longer time scale, thinking about infrastructure and bottlenecks, and and some of those more systemic challenges and policies that that impact our freight system.
Laura Richards: Okay, great will the Department be making any policy suggestions on truck, size and weight requirements or provide information on the Department's research in this area.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, I we're not planning on at this time. having thought through that making any major major policy decisions in the document. But if you have some recommendations on that, I think you should include those
Baumer, Paul (OST): in the Rfi.
Laura Richards: All right.
Laura Richards: Can you speak to how the plan addresses cargo, theft, and freight fraud.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yeah. So you know, I think this is an area that we're definitely aware of is becoming increasingly important. For a lot of practitioners in this space. A lot of so you know, freight shippers and carriers. And and
Baumer, Paul (OST): it is, it is major challenge to the freight system. So our plan is definitely going to discuss some of the challenges associated with that trend. And and it could opine on on potential solutions as well. There's some good research being done right now. I know by our colleagues at the Volpe Center. So
Baumer, Paul (OST): I think this is an area where, if you have some specific ideas
Baumer, Paul (OST): on on specific policies that that the plan could opine on, you should definitely make sure to include those in the Rfi.
Laura Richards: Okay, what balancing will the plan do on maintaining freight, transportation, reliability and cost, with traditional technologies against efforts to electrify and automate freight.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So. You know, I think we will be observing with the plan what trends have been observed, and we will be acknowledging a lot of the challenges, I think, that are faced
Baumer, Paul (OST): by the freight sector with some of these new technologies. And if you have specific experience with these technologies and their their advantages, their disadvantages.
Baumer, Paul (OST): What? How they perform from a reliability standpoint, how they perform from a cost standpoint. I think that's really valuable information, so that we can, you know, be clear and frank with the public about you know, the way the sector is evolving and and the challenges it faces in those areas. So you know, we are definitely interested in your input in making sure that you know.
Laura Richards: This is.
Baumer, Paul (OST): The consumers and the the companies that move the freight, you know, have the the best set of information in terms of what what overall is happening so that they can, you know, make sure that they are not making any foolish decisions.
Laura Richards: Completely lost their way. Hey?
Laura Richards: Will considerations of military freight also be a focus of the national freight strategic plan.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Absolutely. I think we all know that. You know, national defense is a core core objective of of the administration. And and it's something that the Department you know, also liaises regularly with our sister agencies of the Department of Defense and Homeland Security on.
Laura Richards: Use it.
Baumer, Paul (OST): On those issues. And when we did the draft national freight network, we were careful to include some of our strategic highways, our strategic railways.
Baumer, Paul (OST): strategic ports.
Laura Richards: See this thing.
Baumer, Paul (OST): And I think the plan is definitely going to be supportive of our National Defense Mission as well.
Laura Richards: Be okay.
Baumer, Paul (OST): In terms of making sure we have a strong.
Laura Richards: If I was doing.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Freight system that supports their needs.
Laura Richards: Hey, great! And how is freight relative to the movement of consumer goods? So, for example, cell phones, clothing, furniture, appliances being incorporated into this plan.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know I. So
Baumer, Paul (OST): I think a lot of those retail goods are downstream of the key industries that we've identified. That Congress has identified that we look at right whether it be
Baumer, Paul (OST): obviously manufacturing, which produces those kinds of goods, but also the inputs and the commodities that flow into those systems. So you know, I think when you're looking at things like
Baumer, Paul (OST): trucks, and you're looking at things like trains and and and vessels
Baumer, Paul (OST): from just a agnostic to any commodity. Retail goods. Consumer goods are are a part of of what gets captured. A large part e-commerce is something that we are focused to directed to consider as well. So you know, those are. Those are all part of the the mix. When we do our analysis on bottlenecks. You know those those impact
Baumer, Paul (OST): consumer goods just as much as they impact the other sectors of the economy that we're we're we're touching on.
Laura Richards: Okay and related. Can you describe in broad strokes how you would say, e-commerce has changed national system conditions since the last plan.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know. This is a a real homework assignment, I think, for us to to do, and if you have ideas we would love for you to share them with us in the in the Rfi, I mean.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, I think we all probably have stories in our personal lives, of of how e-commerce has maybe changed our shopping patterns. It's also changing our built environment in terms of distribution, warehouse facilities. So you know, I think, this is an area where I don't have an answer for you right now. But that's because I'm waiting to hear from the broad stakeholder
Baumer, Paul (OST): across a group of stakeholders we have on the call today.
Laura Richards: Okay, will the Updated National Freight Strategic Plan recommend policy changes or incentives to allow greater flexibility in using Federal transportation funds across modes such as shifting highway formula, funds to rail, intermodal or freight supportive infrastructure.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know again, a little too early to comment on any specific policy recommendations that the plan might make in part, because we're just we're just writing it now. But certainly this is an input that would be valuable particularly if if you have
Baumer, Paul (OST): identify this as as a gap, or as a need this, or any any particular trend or or other areas, I think. It would be. It would be good for you to include that. But you know, obviously.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Well, I'll just say that. Please please go ahead and and share. You know those kinds of recommendations with us in the Rfi. If you think that that will address
Baumer, Paul (OST): a challenge that you're seeing.
Laura Richards: Okay, great. Someone noted that they submitted comments for the national multimodal freight network. Should they have submitted comments again earlier this year? Or are you? Including the previous comments.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So the comments on the national multimodal freight network were really great and comprehensive, and and certainly focused on that question of
Baumer, Paul (OST): how broad. Should the national multimodal freight network be, and what should be included and what shouldn't be included?
Baumer, Paul (OST): I would say, we're we're gonna factor in that because we're actively in the process of reviewing those comments. So you don't necessarily need to repeat yourself.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You don't need to repeat yourself if you've got feelings on the Nmfn. We've heard those and we're gonna we're gonna we're working through to think through them now.
Baumer, Paul (OST): the Rfi, we have for the National Freight Strategic plan has 10 questions in it that are, they're very broad. They don't just reflect on the Nmfm. But they touch on things like. You know, what are the trends and challenges you're seeing with with e-commerce. How are you? How should the department be thinking about resiliency? A lot of these new requirements that weren't addressed in the 2020 plan because they weren't yet.
Baumer, Paul (OST): But yeah, good luck
Baumer, Paul (OST): requirements. We need your input on those so definitely, even if you did comment on the Nmfn, go and look at that, Rfi, and see if there are other topics that that you? You've got a point of view on that that could help us. We would really appreciate it.
Laura Richards: Okay, will you be looking at the growth in the inland waterways, ports.
Baumer, Paul (OST): I think trends are are a big part of what we're going to be looking at. And so you know, as we observe trends in different areas. We're gonna point those out. And you know, again, acknowledging that we're gonna have some humility as well in terms of what we observe today, we know isn't gonna continue to be the case
Baumer, Paul (OST): in perpetuity. We know that
Baumer, Paul (OST): things can shift over time in response to different kinds of demand signals. So you know, there's there's going to be, I think an interesting discussion when it comes to. Here's how the system what, how it works today. And then, you know.
Baumer, Paul (OST): followed up with, you know, here are strategies that we're seeing being adopted at different levels, whether that's at the state level. Yes, the Federal government, whether that's local communities, whether that's the private sector, which is obviously a really big role here. What are the things that they're doing investing in the kinds of? Are there? Are there new developments that are that are shifting major new freight generation, you know there's
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know. I I remember fair. 15 years ago we were just barely on the fracking boom, and we were getting all kinds of requests for infrastructure to support
Baumer, Paul (OST): fracking, which, you know, hadn't existed 2030 years ago. So that was a major shift and change in how freight moved. I think, to the extent that in the response to the Rfi, you see that there's the next 5 years are gonna focus a lot on on new modes. Maybe that modes that aren't seeing as much volume today, but might see more volume in the future. I think you should share that with us, and that's definitely something we can. We can reflect in the plan.
Laura Richards: Okay in light of the Dolly Fsk Bridge disaster. How might investments that mitigate potential disruptions be prioritized and funded.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, I think this is a really good question, and one we'd love to hear your your thoughts on in the Rfi. To help us think through this challenge. The plan obviously, is gonna identify where there's resilience. You know, vulnerabilities.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Across the network, including things like manmade failures or or or attacks terrorism, natural disasters?
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know we know our our ports are are very significant components of our multimodal freight system and of our economy. And so you know, those kinds of incidents at ports can ripple across the country. Beyond just the area around that port. So it's definitely something that is is top of mind for us. And but thinking through how to you know, precisely model, that is is a challenge. So if you have some ideas or feedback on how we can
Baumer, Paul (OST): prioritize different policy responses in those kinds of scenarios, I think that's really helpful.
Laura Richards: Great. In 2025, we're utilizing, or we are utilizing several ways to track impact. What were the impacts, positive or negative, in performance amongst modes with the initial plan.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yeah, I mean, that's that's a a great question. And and
Baumer, Paul (OST): one of the reasons why your inputs really valuable. Obviously, a lot happened in the aftermath of the 2020 plan being published
Baumer, Paul (OST): with supply chains. Our office was created in part because of some of those dramatic changes, and a recognition that this is a really critical area for our economy and for the department of Transportation to have a stronger role in. So we're really working to think about. What are those trends that
Baumer, Paul (OST): that maybe we're temporary? What are the ones that are permanent? Are there? Are there trends that, you know, are just emerging now that you know we didn't see over the last several years, including on things like performance of of different modes. But you know, if you have
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know I I really welcome your your feedback on the on those questions.
Laura Richards: Hey? Will state rail plans, state aviation system and maritime plan projects for freight also be incorporated into the plan. And I'm guessing into the investment.
Laura Richards: Yeah, analysis as well.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yes, we do know that there's been a proliferation of planning documents. Some States do a good job of
Baumer, Paul (OST): incorporating all those together other States. They're on different timelines. That's sort of up to each State. But you know, we are definitely
Baumer, Paul (OST): combing through what we can to incorporate those kinds of projects when they're freight freight, relevant projects into our analysis.
Laura Richards: Okay, somewhat related. Will the strategic plan consider state investment that benefits freight. But that might not be identified in the State freight plan because the investments are not funded by the national highway freight program.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yeah, I mean, look, this is a a great a great question. Cause. That's that's challenging. And and different states have have
Baumer, Paul (OST): chosen to do it differently. In their freight investment plans. We're looking at a broad array of funding programs. Not just the national highway freight program.
Baumer, Paul (OST): But you know a lot of our competitive programs as well. But
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know, we we are limited in in exactly how in depth we can go. Given the time and resources we have. So we're not going to
Baumer, Paul (OST): stipulate that that what we ultimately come up with is
Baumer, Paul (OST): a hundred percent comprehensive, because there's a lot of projects that are
Baumer, Paul (OST): just interstate projects that just appears maintenance projects that you know they may not even be on an important freight corridor. But they have freight impacts, you know. If there's 1 truck that travels over that that bridge that, you know, is in a better state of repair that's beneficial to freight. But obviously we can't. We can't. Maybe not. Obviously. But we're just not. We're we're gonna do as best we can to be as comprehensive as we can. But but we are gonna face some limits, and we're gonna be trying to be as transparent and possible as in terms of how we.
Baumer, Paul (OST): how we arrived at the universe. We did.
Laura Richards: Okay, does the plan include cargo e-bikes under e-commerce?
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, I think you know, learning from what States have said in their state freight plans you know, in in dense urban areas.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Where there has been deployment of those kinds of technologies. I think it's worth observing. How they're doing. But you know, that's not a focus area of ours by any stretch. You know we are.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, it is something that that has has been worked in a few different areas. Or is is being tested out in a few different places. But so it's something that we'll we'll probably have a footnote, or you know something. But if you've got great input or or feedback, or or something you want to highlight of how it's worked or not worked in in an area you're familiar with.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know. Again, let us know in the Rfi. And that's something we can explore in greater detail. If you think that'll be helpful.
Laura Richards: Okay, will interstate and intrastate invasive species spread, be considered in the plan.
Baumer, Paul (OST): You know, I I think this is the 1st time I've thought about that.
Baumer, Paul (OST): So it's not something that was on my Bingo card. But
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know, if you've got a particular perspective that would be helpful being highlighted. There is a statutory requirement related to the wildlife impacts
Baumer, Paul (OST): of freight movement and and considering best practices for dealing with wildlife impact. So you know, that could be something I think we think of.
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know, wildlife overcrossings and and and and those kinds of things. But you know, I hadn't thought about
Baumer, Paul (OST): invasive species. If there's a if there's a
Baumer, Paul (OST): an important trend that we should be observing and noting and commenting on. Please let us know.
Laura Richards: Will the National Freight Strategic Plan Address. Oversized and overweight loads to address increase in weight and definition of divisible loads.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Yeah, I think. You know, again, we aren't planning to make any big dramatic policy changes in the plan currently. But if you have strong views on those kinds of subjects, I feel like input is always helpful to us. Our our office is not going away after the end of this plan. There are lots of other
Baumer, Paul (OST): you know, ongoing conversations here at the Department with Capitol Hill with elsewhere. So if you've got some things that you think would be helpful, the department to consider, feel free to, to answer those questions in the Rfi.
Laura Richards: Okay, I think that's all our questions. Paul.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Alright. Well, thank you. Everyone I really appreciate. all of your thoughts.
Baumer, Paul (OST): And
Baumer, Paul (OST): like we say, here coming fall 2025. We're we're we're already midstream on a lot of this. But your input in the next few weeks will be really helpful. That's why we we gave you only a few only about 30 days to do it. So march April. Excuse me, August 14th is the deadline.
Baumer, Paul (OST): When we can get that back in the chat. Oh, there we go. Also
Baumer, Paul (OST): feel free to shoot me an email separately. If you have any questions. My email and phone number, also in the Federal Register. Notice. I'll I'll try to be as helpful as I can in that format. But but you're you're honestly your comments in the Rfi. Will really help them get tracked and documented so people can see them, and then we'll we'll respond to them. You know, eventually, as we continue to work on the plan. So I really appreciate everyone's time today.
Baumer, Paul (OST): right.
Laura Richards: Thank you.
Baumer, Paul (OST): Thanks, everybody.