Research Issues in Freight Transportation

TRB's E-Circular 225: explores the presentations and discussions from a 2007 workshop that provided a forum for researchers, government officials, and private-sector representatives to exchange ideas on how the freight transportation system can be improved. Congestion in ports, on access roads to intermodal facilities, and on the rail system has significant impacts on the productivity and competitiveness of the U.S. economy. Environmental issues where freight movement concentrates—such as in ports—are of concern to the surrounding communities. Finding the funds to improve the nation’s freight infrastructure relies increasingly on innovative financing mechanisms that combine public and private investment sources. These issues were explored and documented in this report.

Due to an administrative oversight, this report was not published right after it was completed in 2007. Therefore, some information about the different research projects and the institutional affiliations of the presenters and workshop participants may not be current. It was decided to release this publication as many of the freight research issues discussed still remain relevant today.