Multimodal Approach to Low-Cost Improvements Addressing Freight Mobility Constraints

Freight mobility is constrained not only by physical infrastructure inadequacies but also by operational, regulatory, policy, technological, and financial limitations. The capacity of the existing freight transportation system can be increased through innovative operational strategies, performance-improving regulatory and policy changes, and low-cost capital improvements. This paper defines freight mobility constraints in a multimodal context, identifies the primary causes of the constraints, develops criteria for low-cost improvements that can be quickly implemented, and presents examples of practical, low-cost improvements to address mobility constraints encountered in moving freight by highway, by rail, and through deepwater ports and inland waterways. The paper also presents the framework for a methodology that can be used by public-sector agencies to evaluate mobility constraints and select low-cost improvements derived from implemented projects.