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Supply Chain Assessment of the Transportation Industrial Base: Freight and Logistics

The Freight and Logistics Supply Chain Assessment responds to Executive Order 14017: America's Supply Chains by identifying and addressing current transportation supply chain vulnerabilities and challenges and recommending potential policy responses to strengthen the resilience of the freight system and reduce impacts from future disruptions. This Assessment draws on lessons from the Administration's current efforts as well as extensive public and private stakeholder outreach. It also highlights ways the Administration is leveraging new resources made available though the historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to make significant investments in ports and improve supply chain resilience. 

The recommended policy responses described in this Assessment spotlight a range of actions that DOT envisions to support a resilient 21st century freight and logistics supply chain for America:

  • Investing in freight infrastructure, such as ports, bridges, and railroads, to enhance capacity and connectivity
  • Providing technical assistance to support the planning and coordination of freight investments and operations and supporting workers employed in this sector
  • Improving data and research into supply chain performance
  • Strengthening and streamlining governance to improve efficiency, build the workforce, increase competitiveness, and reduce safety and environmental risks
  • Partnering with stakeholders across the supply chain, including coordination with both the public and private sector

The Federal Role in Addressing Supply Chain Disruptions: Policy Roles and Goals

Federal Policy Roles

Policy Goals

Infrastructure Investment:

Identify and prioritize freight needs and provide funding for investments

▪ Identify and fund freight system and capacity needs

▪ Address supply chain bottlenecks

▪ Reduce emissions and mitigate climate change impacts

Planning and Technical Assistance:

Support State and local agencies to address supply chain challenges

▪ Strengthen public sector freight planning and knowledge

▪ Mitigate freight impacts on communities 

▪ Improve supply chain security

▪ Strengthen freight workforce and development

Research and Data:

Improve supply chain data and develop tools and best practices to quickly diagnose and address disruptions

▪ Increase understanding of supply chain performance

▪ Improve transparency of supply chain data

▪ Improve data sharing capabilities

Rules and Regulations:

Streamline regulations, improve competition and fairness, and reduce health, safety, and environmental risks

▪ Increase freight capacity and efficiency

▪ Support domestic production of critical equipment

▪ Reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies

▪ Strengthen market competition and fairness

▪ Speed disaster response and recovery

Coordination and Partnerships:

Support cross-sector, multijurisdictional, and multimodal coordination to address supply chain resilience

▪ Convene supply chain stakeholders to enhance USDOT’s supply chain work

▪ Support the actions of non-Federal partners through continued coordination