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and trade patterns) that must be respected in seeking best solu-
tions. These challenges do not respect city or state boundaries
and, with the emergence of megaregions, sometimes do not
even respect regional boundaries. The primary goal of strategic
visioning is to identify and preserve the widest range of best
choices or future possibilities. Strategic visioning uses the analy-
sis of future alternative scenarios to empower stewards to make
wise decisions and establish robust strategies that will enhance Source: Grow & Bruening.
the probability of the best choices actually coming to fruition. Figure 6-5. Regional visioning and
It has been said that the most common strategy for dealing land-use decisions.
with the future is denial. As humans, we show an uncanny
ability to ride old, expiring trends into the ground before we
will engage in deep thinking about the future. A regional vision- tonnage, value, routes utilized and density of goods on the
ing process is an attempt to engage in such deep thinking routes, capacity of facilities, vehicle trips, economic impacts,
in light of existing trends and future uncertainties--to con- jobs created, taxes paid, and current bottleneck areas. Data
sider various scenarios for the future of the region in order also should be gathered regarding current trends and future
to explore answers to the question, "What if?" What if the projections. Interviews with industry experts can reveal
population of the region expands over the coming decades? current and future issues.
Where and how will these people be accommodated? What · Inclusion of freight-related stakeholders in the vision-
if the price of gas eventually rises to $10 per gallon? What if ing process to serve on technical and other committees.
potential new transportation corridors to or across the region These stakeholders would include railroads, ports, trucking
become blocked by surrounding development? companies, airports and air freight carriers, government
Most regional visions do not currently deal with freight in officials, industry organizations, and consultants with
depth, but tremendous potential exists to significantly affect expertise in the field.
decision making that impacts freight. Regional visioning pro- · Public outreach that includes freight issues. Freight can
cesses can expand their thinking about the future to include be included in public workshops and open houses, surveys,
freight concerns. How important is freight to the economy of and other outreach mechanisms.
the region? What role can freight play in the economic future · Creation of land-use and transportation scenarios that
of the region? How will rapidly expanding freight needs in a take significant note of freight considerations. Land-use
region be accommodated? What if the creation or expansion scenarios should consider freight needs, including possible
of freight corridors and facilities is blocked by development? future expansion or creation of facilities. Transportation
The regional vision is the proper scale for tackling freight scenarios should not focus on movement of people without
issues. An important component in making informed land-use adequate consideration of the movement of goods.
· Technical analysis of the impact of various future scenarios
decisions as they relate to freight transportation is an under-
standing of the economic costs and benefits of these decisions. on freight. Various measures that can be modeled might
include congestion and its costs in terms of money, time,
In the context of freight transportation corridors, economic
and air quality; public safety impacts; freight corridor
costs and benefits must be viewed on a large-scale perspective
externalities; economic impact of the freight industry over
because freight transportation infrastructure is an important
time; and overall assessment of costs and benefits of alter-
factor in the performance of the U.S. economy and a region's
native land uses.
competitiveness on a global scale. Decision makers at the
· Vision goals and strategies that include freight as a key
local level are typically subject to local political pressure from
component of the economic, land-use, transportation, and
both residents and developers who often have little concern
environmental future of the region.
for local impacts on freight systems. In this context, the cliché
"freight doesn't vote," is relevant. Figure 6-5 illustrates how
regional visioning fits into land-use decisions. Mapping Freight Corridors
The freight portion of a regional visioning exercise should and Facilities
include the following aspects: Much of the research conducted over the past 25 years re-
garding corridor protection and preservation has noted that
· Baseline information gathering, including maps of com- mapping of freight corridors and facility elements is a critical
ponent parts of the freight system (freight routes/corridors, element to ensure continued viability.
distribution hubs, inland ports, waterways, air cargo, etc.), In some states, advanced planning and approval of trans-
as well as data related to these component parts, such as portation corridors do not require a change in statutes or
