Dive Brief:
- The U.S. Department of Transportation is updating its National Freight Strategic Plan for the first time since 2020 to help improve its supply chain efficiency.
- The DOT is accepting comments through Aug. 14 as it considers new criteria, which include improving resiliency amid disruptions and strategies to promote U.S. economic growth and international competitiveness.
- “More than ever, we need to plan transportation and infrastructure investments — especially for freight — by looking at the big picture,” the DOT stated in a Federal Register notice. “This means considering all transportation modes and both public and private sector needs to maintain America's competitive edge globally.”
Dive Insight:
The DOT’s National Freight Strategic Plan helps guide national policy and investments across its supply chain ecosystem. The inaugural strategic plan projected 13.8 billion tons of goods to move by truck in 2030, about an 11.5% increase compared to 2020. The update will include new forecasts for the next five, 10 and 20-year periods.
The DOT hopes to complete the plan update this year, according to Paul Baumer, a DOT deputy director for infrastructure development, who spoke during a July 21 webinar.
“The 2020 National Freight Strategic Plan prepared by the last Trump administration was a strong first edition of the plan,” Cathy Gautreaux, a DOT deputy assistant secretary, said at the event.
But a lot has changed in five years, which is why the DOT needs input and assistance to help with the update, she said. “We really, really value your input,” she added.
The discussion comes amid industry concerns over U.S. tariff policy and a stubborn downturn in the freight market that’s continued to deliver quarterly operating losses for some carriers.
“The U.S. economy enters mid-summer 2025 under growing pressure, as consumer demand continues to cool and inflationary effects from tariffs persist,” according to an ACT Research blog post published July 22. That’s hampering visibility for fleets, shippers and OEMs, the firm noted.
