Project Overview Project Timeline Phase One Phase Two Meeting and Events News Tell Us!!! Documents and Report Portland Freight Committee FAQs Freight Links

Portland Office of Transportation is developing a Freight Master Plan that will serve as a guide for the City’s freight mobility activities. Through freight policies, operational strategies, and system improvements, the plan will provide a road map for how Portland manages freight and delivery movement today and into the future.

Development of the plan focuses on the recognition of freight needs and opportunities within our existing transportation system. It also identifies solutions and strategies that can make the system more efficient for freight movement. When adopted, the Freight Master Plan will include:

• Updated freight transportation policies
• Revised freight street classification maps
• Street design guidelines for trucks
• Freight programs
• List of infrastructure projects that benefit freight

The freight planning effort was initiated in January of 2003 and is being developed in two phases.

The first phase of the City’s freight planning effort focused on telling Portland’s freight story - why we need to plan for freight in our community. The key outcomes of this effort were the development of the Freight Master Plan Interim Report and the creation of the Portland Freight Committee.

The second phase of freight planning began in the summer of 2004. The technical analysis was completed in June 2005 and the public review and adoption process is now underway. Click here to review the Freight Master Plan - Discussion Draft. Direct comments or questions to Deena Platman, Project Manager by email to deena.platman@pdxtrans.org or phone 503-823-7567.

Phase One

The first phase of the City’s freight planning effort focused on telling Portland’s freight story – why we need to make a plan.

• Portland boasts modern port facilities at the confluence of two rivers with inland and deep water access, national highway access to the rest of the nation, two main railroad lines connecting the whole of the west coast and points east, and an international airport. The unique and significant infrastructure of Portland presents opportunities for further economic development.
• Portland’s economy is dependent on transportation-related jobs, which are predominantly living wage jobs.
• Portland’s roads serve as the "first and last mile" access to the multitude of public and private freight intermodal and terminal facilities inside its boundaries.
• Recent economic forecasts indicated that Portland could expect to see freight movement double over the next 15 years.
• Efficient goods delivery supports Portland’s vibrant, mixed-used centers and main streets.
• Inherent conflicts exist due to the close proximity between Portland’s residential neighborhoods and freight facilities, which generate significant local and regional truck traffic.

The accomplishments in this phase include:

• The Freight Master Plan - Interim Report built the case for freight planning and identified the plan’s objectives.
• Adoption of a Council resolution that acknowledged the importance of goods movement to our economy, established the Portland Freight Committee, directed PDOT to develop a freight master plan, and identified short-term opportunities for freight improvements.
• Phase 1 technical review - evaluation of existing freight policies, identification of freight-related issues, development of project prioritization criteria, compilation of previously identified freight projects, freight street design considerations
• Successfully engaged Portland Freight Committee in freight issues such as Oregon Transportation Investment Act (OTIA) III project selection, Naito Parkway street design, River Renaissance, and Metropolitan Transportation Improvement Program (MTIP) and Statewide Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) project selection.

Public Open House held in February 2003 to introduce plan objectives to community and take in issues. Co-sponsored with NINA. Strong attendance from business community.

Phase 2 completes a recommended Freight Master Plan. During this phase, we looks at freight needs and opportunities within our existing transportation system. Solutions and strategies that can make the system more efficient for freight movement will be identified. When adopted, the Freight Master Plan will include:

• Revised Goal 6 and Goal 11b transportation policies including freight street classifications and network maps
• Design guidelines for truck streets
• Operations/maintenance program recommendations
• List of infrastructure projects that benefit freight including intelligent transportation system improvements,
• Performance measures

Funding for the second phase comes from a Transportation Growth Management (TGM) grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). The recommended plan will be completed by June 30^th, 2005. The adoption process is expected to begin Summer 2005. Planning Commission and City Council hold public hearings to review and discuss the plan.

Portland Freight Committee Meeting
Thursday, September 1, 2005  7:30 am to 9:30 am
Portland City Hall
1121 SW 4th Ave, Portland
Lovejoy Room.

For more information, please contact Deena Platman at 503-823-7567 or deena.platman@pdxtrans.org

News

With the technical analysis largely completed, the project focus has shifted to preparation of a recommended plan document and the public adoption process. Here is a schedule of important dates:

• September 2005 - Staff Recommended Freight Master Plan document available for public review and comment. The document will be available on-line, on CD, or in paper form.
• October 25, 2005 - Planning Commission Hearing on the proposed Freight Master Plan. Meeting is held at 1900 SW 4th Ave. Portland, Room 2500B, 7:00 PM. Planning Commission will listen to a staff presentation and then take public testimony.
• November 8, 2005 - Planning Commission Work Session on the proposed Freight Master Plan. Meeting is held at 1900 SW 4th Ave. Portland, Room 2500B, 12:30 PM.
• December 2005 - City Council Hearing on Planning Commission Recommended Freight Master Plan. Date to be determined.

For additional information about the upcoming schedule, please contact Deena Platman, Project Manager at deena.platman@pdxtrans.org or 503-823-7567.

As of June 30, 1005, the technical analysis for the Freight Master Plan has been completed. Click here to link to Documents and Reports. The documents are available as Acrobat pdf files.

The Innovations and Trends Report looks at the array of innovations and trends that are being introduced throughout the freight transportation industry. Research on how other communities, both nationally and internationally, are addressing freight mobility is also included in the report. The methods and technologies used for goods movement are changing rapidly. Understanding coming trends is critical to ensuring that Portland can effectively plan for and manage freight mobility needs and impacts.

The Synthesis of Data Report identifies and describes the technical data and information that is being used to support the development of the Freight Master Plan. The report describes the type of data being collected, the source of the data, how it will be assembled, and its application to the development of the plan.

The Existing Condition report presents the most recent information about the current conditions for Portland's freight system.

The Needs Assessment Report presents the results of a system wide assessment of conditions in the City of Portland affecting freight movement. This assessment includes descriptions of system mobility, analysis of issues for policy and program development, analysis of freight regulatory matters, and a review of existing federal, state, regional, and local freight policy.

On the evening of June 9, 2005, the Portland Office of Transportation kicked-off its public outreach effort on the draft Freight Master Plan with an open house event at the Oregon Museum of Science. The open house provided an opportunity for citizens to review and comment on draft elements of the Freight Master Plan including freight transportation policies revisions, freight system classification changes, and freight infrastructure improvements. Staff was on hand to address questions and comments about the draft plan. The event drew diverse attendance with representatives from the freight industry, neighborhoods and bicycle and pedestrian advocates. City of Portland, Central Eastside Industrial Council and Northwest Industrial Neighborhood Association co-sponsored the event.

Event attendees viewed a series of displays summarizing the plan. Handouts of the proposed freight-related Comprehensive Plan policy changes, freight street classification and map changes, and freight improvement projects were available to take home. Interested citizens unable to attend the open house can download versions of the display boards and draft plan handouts on this site.

Interested in a presentation to your organization on the latest freight planning efforts? Contact Deena Platman by email deena.platman@pdxtrans.org or call (503) 823-7567 to arrange.

Virtual Open House

Miss the public events but interested in Portland's efforts to plan for freight mobility? Click on the following links to view presentation materials.

Public Workshop, January 27, 2005

Portland's Freight Story - A PowerPoint presentation that looks at the role of freight movement in our community.

What We've Learned - A series of displays that feature background and existing conditions information.

Public Open House, June 9, 2005

Moving Ahead - A series of displays that summarize plan objectives, timeline, freight statistics and trends, freight’s role in global supply chain, design considerations, proposed system improvements, and classification system changes.

Draft Freight Plan Elements - A collection of handouts detailing proposed policy changes, freight system changes, and system improvements/projects.

If you have questions or comments about the presentation information or would like to share an issue or concern, please contact Deena Platman by email deena.platman@pdxtrans.org or call (503) 823-7567.

Tell Us!!!  

The planning effort is underway and we need your ideas and concerns regarding the movement of freight in Portland. Check out the News and Documents and Reports for the latest information on plan progress.

Send your input to Deena Platman, Project Manager at deena.platman@pdxtrans.org or call 503-823-7567.

Ways to Get Involved in the Plan

• Attend a Portland Freight Committee meeting. The committee meets on the first Thursday of each month at 7:30 AM, in the Lovejoy Room of Portland City Hall, 1121 SW 4th Avenue
• Invite staff to talk with your organization about the plan.
• Attend an open house event - look for postings of upcoming events under "Meetings and Events".

The Portland Freight Committee (PFC) serves as an advisory group to the Office of Transportation and City Council on issues related to freight mobility. The PFC was formed in February 2003 and includes both citizen volunteers and public agency representatives at the local, state, and federal level.

PFC Mission Statement:

The PFC meets on the first Thursday of each month from 7:30 AM – 9:30 AM at Portland City Hall, Lovejoy Room.

PFC members

• Meeting Minutes
  November 4, 2004
  December 2, 2004
  January 6, 2005
  February 3, 2005
  March 3, 2005
  April 7, 2005
  May 5, 2005
  June 2, 2005
  July 7, 2005
  August 4, 2005

• Agendas
  November 4, 2004
  December 2, 2004
  January 6, 2005
  February 3, 2005
  March 3, 2005
  April 7, 2005
  May 5, 2005
  June 2, 2005
  July 7,2005
  August 4, 2005
  September 1, 2005

Portland has some unique location features that make freight movement is an essential part of the local economy. We are at the confluence of two rivers, two national highways, and two mainline railroads. We have an international shipping port and airport. Portland’s streets provide freight corridors that serve as the "last-mile" connections. Freight also moves Portland’s economy. In the metropolitan area, one out of every nine jobs is related to the transportation cluster, which is the third highest frequency in the nation. These jobs are predominantly living wage jobs. Efficient goods and delivery throughout the city also increases our quality of life.

Metro and the Port of Portland agree in projected a doubling of freight tonnage moved through the western United States, and in the Portland region within potentially two to three decades. The projected growth presents both opportunities and challenges. Planning will help to identify freight needs to be addressed and the opportunities that Portland can build upon. Our population is also growing, and people are demanding greater numbers of goods and services that are primarily trucked. Convenient access makes Portland a more livable place. Greater knowledge and thoughtful planning will help decision making and prioritization of limited transportation funds.

Freight Links  

Information about planning for freight mobility:
www.fhwa.dot.gov/freightplanning 
www.ops.fhwa.dot.gov/freight/freight_analysis/index.htm 

Find the latest traffic news:
www.KeepPortlandMoving.org/ 

State of Oregon's freight mobility planning:
www.oregon.gov/ODOT/TD/FREIGHT/ 

Learn about Portland's industrial lands:
www.portlandonline.com/planning/index.cfm?c=37259