Recommendations
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats Analysis Report, March 2023
For the region to meet its freight mobility potential, there must be an understanding of what the region has to offer and what is holding it back. This analysis provides an assessment of the OKI region’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). The OKI freight goals provide the framework for presenting this analysis.
Issues and Needs Assessment Report, March 2023
OKI’s freight issues and needs are summarized based on the current and expected future conditions of the region’s freight transportation network and the system’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. This high-level analysis is a synthesis of the work accomplished to date on this Freight Plan.
Once again, this report is organized around the OKI freight goals to focus on the current and future freight issues that have, or may have, an adverse impact on the region and what is needed to address them. Needs are described generally as a first step to identifying and focusing freight recommendations on solving the specific issues to help the region in safely and efficiently moving critical regional freight while improving environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness
Freight Plan Recommendations
The freight plan includes a total of 147 recommendations.
Download Complete Freight Plan Recommendations List (.xlsx file)
To address current and future freight issues that have, or may have, an adverse impact on the region, four types of recommendations have been included in this OKI Freight Plan:
Project Recommendations
Project Recommendations represent improvements intended to enhance the efficiency, safety, accessibility, and/or sustainability of the freight transportation network. This can involve the construction, expansion, or renovation of freight transportation infrastructure such as roads, bridges, highways, airports, river ports, railroads, and pipelines. It can also include the implementation of new technology. The objective of a freight project is to provide a more reliable and efficient transportation system, reduce travel time and cost, and enhance the overall quality of life for users of the transportation network. This freight plan includes 115 Project Recommendations. The recommended projects are provided in both map and list format. Note, there 11 Project Recommendations that are not mappable to a specific location and are therefore only included in the Project Recommendation List.
Program Recommendations
Program recommendations represent activities to investigate the feasibility or impact of freight transportation opportunities within the OKI region. Program recommendations may include pilot or demonstration projects that would help inform stakeholders and enable the development and deployment of innovative freight solutions to reduce fuel consumption, minimize travel times, and enhance overall freight efficiency. The objective of a freight program is to maximize the public benefit of future freight transportation investments while minimizing risks of monetary loss and time inefficiency. This freight plan includes 9 Program Recommendations.
Planning Study Recommendations
Planning Study Recommendations propose a comprehensive analysis of a particular freight transportation issue or location. The study typically involves an evaluation of existing transportation infrastructure, usage patterns such as volume, speed and travel time, demographic trends, economic factors, and other relevant data. Based on this analysis, freight planning studies may suggest project or operational improvements to increase safety, reduce congestion and better serve the needs of freight stakeholders and the community. A planning study recommendation is intended to provide decision-makers with practical guidance and actionable strategies to inform their transportation planning and investment decisions. This freight plan includes 13 Planning Study Recommendations.
Policy Recommendations
Policy Recommendations propose a course of action designed to guide the development and implementation of freight transportation policies, programs, and regulations. It may involve proposals for specific actions or initiatives, such as investment in freight transportation or the promotion of alternative freight modes to increase safety, environmental sustainability, or economic competitiveness. The objective of a transportation policy recommendation is to provide decision-makers with actionable guidance that can help achieve their goals and improve the overall efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the freight transportation system. This freight plan includes 10 Policy Recommendations.