Since 1992, the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) has been conducting freight planning on a continuing, comprehensive, and coordinated basis. Freight is a specified planning consideration required by federal transportation legislation and an area of increasing attention by Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs).
Freight Planning Program
DVRPC's Freight Planning Program is designed to assure the full incorporation of freight into the transportation planning process. This is achieved through technical endeavors, committee work, and the treatment of freight in the Long Range Plan and the Transportation Improvement Program.
The treatment of freight is an important complement to DVRPC's treatment of passenger movement. As some national estimates predict a doubling of cargo volumes by the Year 2035, there is an urgent need to educate elected officials, planners, and the general public about freight trends and logistics processes.
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Freight Studies
- Regional Truck Parking Study: This study will evaluate truck parking demand in the region and identify potential opportunities to develop new facilities (both for overnight parking and staging), which can improve air quality by reducing drive time and idling.
- Regional Truck Network Analysis: This is a region-wide effort to analyze key freight trends and development patterns to designate a primary, regional truck network.
- Southern New Jersey Freight Rail Market Analysis: This study aims to better understand the demand for freight rail capacity enhancements in Southern New Jersey, existing risks to supply chain resiliency, and the benefits that expanded freight rail access could have to the region.
- Freight Futures: A Scenario Planning Exercise: This report explores strategies and recommendations for addressing constraints and making the supply chain in Greater Philadelphia more sustainable, resilient, and equitable in 2040.
- Lower Bucks Freight Access Study: This report examines freight generation patterns to provide recommendations and strategies that support the area’s industrial growth centered around the Keystone Trade Center development, while ensuring the safe and efficient movement of both people and goods.
Delaware Valley Goods Movement Task Force
DVRPC's freight advisory committee, the Delaware Valley Goods Movement Task Force, allows the local freight community to participate in formulating regional policies, plans, and programs. This joint public-private sector initiative brings together executives from Class I and shortline railroads, trucking and air freight firms to meet with federal, state, and local agency leaders, toll authorities and national advocacy groups.