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54 Guidebook for Understanding Urban Goods Movement
· Truck size and weight,
· Design standards,
· Infrastructure design,
· Land use and zoning, and
· Enforcement policies.
Develop Baseline Information:
Field Surveys/Inventories
The designated freight project manager will need to assemble baseline data. Field surveys or
interviews are a reasonable starting point from which to observe or otherwise gain an under-
standing of regional truck movements and truck-related congestion in the urban area. A prac-
tice that has been used successfully by several local communities is truck driver break room
surveys. This technique calls for permission to post a regional map in truck driver break rooms
of regional truck terminals, along with a set of simple instructions for identifying bottlenecks and
congestion on the map (see Exhibit 6-1). Detail on this topic can be found in the Guidebook for
Engaging the Private Sector, available through FHWA at http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/freightplanning/
guidebook/guidebook.pdf.
Gathering baseline information about freight mobility issues is important for the following
reasons:
1. The baseline information provides a starting point for addressing key issues, and
2. Baseline data also allows before-and-after evaluations of programs implemented.
Having solid performance feedback about improved conditions can be critical to future sup-
port from private-sector partners.
An initial summary of findings, including maps showing areas of concern (such as truck con-
gestion areas, bottlenecks, and trucks on non-truck-route roadways) can be prepared and pre-
sented to local decisionmakers. Both the local MPO and state DOT may be able to assist with
identifying locations and mapping.
Identify Stakeholders and Conduct Interviews
The project manager should identify a variety of local stakeholders including businesses, ship-
pers, and major motor carriers in the area. Working with the local MPO may be useful in iden-
tifying stakeholders who should include individuals connected to the types of businesses
described in the 12 supply chain case studies identified in Chapter 2. These individuals should be
interviewed to understand their issues, problems, and concerns. CRP-CD-105, which accompanies
this guidebook, includes examples of the types of businesses to contact. The CD also includes a
copy of the FHWA guidebook, Engaging the Private Sector in Freight Planning (Wilbur Smith
Associates and S. R. Kale Consulting, LLC 2009). This document provides extensive guidance on
how to identify and engage freight shippers and carriers in discussions about local goods move-
ment problems.
Summarize the Issues, Problems, and Their Locations
Using the findings from the surveys and interviews, prepare a revised draft summary of the prob-
lems and issues discovered, and update the draft maps prepared after the field surveys/inventory.
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Putting It All Together: A Process for Evaluating and Addressing the Impacts 55
Exhibit 6-1. Sample truck driver break room survey.
The Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan
Truck Driver Survey
Identifying Truck Traffic Bottlenecks/Issues in the Atlanta Region
GOAL: We are looking for truck driver input regarding bottlenecks, and
impediments that make it difficult to drive a truck within the 20 county
Atlanta Region displayed on this map.
INSTRUCTIONS: Using the numbered, colored dots below, place the
appropriate colored dot in the area you encounter mobility problems as you
navigate the city in a commercial vehicle.
The types of problems we are looking for:
Geometric Constraints, for example:
Insufficient turning radius
Insufficient lane width
Low overhead clearances
Short or no acceleration lanes
Traffic Issues, for example:
Traffic signals closely spaced and ill-timed for commercial vehicles
Poor or inadequate signage
Infrastructure Problems, for example:
Pavement rutting or potholes
Restricted bridges
Rough or high at-grade rail crossings
Safety Hotspots:
Sites of frequent crashes or near-misses involving commercial vehicles
Source: Wilbur Smith Associates.
