MPO Freight Advisory Committees: Philadelphia-Camden Region Case Study

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1 Philadelphia, PA FHWA Talking Freight Seminar MPO Freight Advisory Committees: Philadelphia-Camden Region Case Study Ted Dahlburg August 20, 2003

2 Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission MPO created in 1965 Serves 2 states, 9 counties, 4 cities, and 353 municipalities Sixth largest U.S. metropolitan area with 5.4 million residents Extensive freight network Metropolitan Planning Organizations = MPOs

3 MPO Freight Planning Priorities Under TEA-21 International border crossings Access to intermodal facilities Major distribution routes Formalized coordination with freight shippers and carriers Freight Advisory Committees = FACs

4 Average Meeting Attendance of the DVRPC FAC

5 Organization of the DVRPC FAC The Delaware Valley Goods Movement Task Force Co-Chair DVRPC Executive Director Co-Chair PennDOT Deputy Secretary Data Subcommittee Industry Chair Planning Subcommittee Industry Chair Shippers Subcommittee Industry Chair Members and Guests Delaware Valley Freight Community

6 FAC Co-Chairs Provide leadership and overall direction Demonstrate the importance assigned to freight Assure agency-wide commitment Promote collaboration between DVRPC and PennDOT and New Jersey DOT

7 FAC Subcommittees Spearhead private sector FAC participation Provide freight input and support for MPO initiatives Act on behalf of the full FAC Communicate member news

8 FAC Members and Guests Carriers Shippers Economic development agencies Member governments Adjacent regions Federal agencies Consultants Member quote: Come on in: the water s fine!

9 Designated FAC Facilitator Mobilizes MPO resources Provides a focal point for the freight community Demonstrates institutional commitment Represents the agency at external functions and outside the region

10 FAC Meeting Orchestration Four meetings a year Robust mailing and lists Recurring format coffee half-hour DVRPC business State DOT business guest presenters two-minute reports lunch Important tip: set meeting dates, orient speakers, and load computer presentations ahead of time.

11 DVRPC Business Presented to the FAC Long range plan TIP Work program Management systems Corridor studies ITS Travel modeling and forecasting FAC recommendations are transmitted to the proper committee.

12 DVRPC Activities that Strengthen the FAC Technical products Special events Constituent services Participation in the larger freight community

13 Technical Products Freight photo gallery Freight Lines data bulletin Transportation construction bulletin Intermodal container case study TIP highlights NHS connector evaluations Organized field views Many FAC materials are available at:

14 Special Events Freight railroad excursions and conferences National Incident Management Coalition conference US DOT freight summit MPO exchange programs Anniversary meeting Chamber of Commerce day Theme meeting

15 Constituent Services Maps and aerials Event staffing Quick-fix projects Contact information Speech writing Technical reviews Notifications by phone and Awards and letters of recognition Job referrals Customer focus: Yes, I can do that!

16 Participation in the Larger Freight Community Traffic Club Consular offices Adjacent regions State DOT FACs Industry associations I-95 Corridor Coalition Transportation Research Board

17 Freight Projects Funded by the DVRPC CMAQ Program in 2003 Automated marine terminal gate Truck rest facility idling equipment Rail line extension Transload facility Cross dock facility Total DVRPC CMAQ funding for freight projects in 2003 = $2.7M

18 Studies Recommended by the FAC and Funded Short Line Railroad Bridge Inventory Delaware County Grade Crossing Study South Philadelphia Freight Complex Study Economic Benefits of Freight At DVRPC, freight votes!

19 FAC Opportunity Areas Promote safety programs. Increase outreach to trucking industry. Increase involvement with DVRPC transportation technical advisory committee. Advance strategies from NCHRP Synthesis 33-12: Integrating Freight Facilities and Operations with Community Goals. National Cooperative Highway Research Program = NCHRP

20 Key Observations on FACs FACs can work! A successful committee is built on small wins and big wins. Smaller MPOs should refer to NCHRP Project 8-47 for freight planning best practices. The profession has many wonderful, dedicated people. Thank you very much!