Overview
In response to the growing need for freight expertise at the state and MPO level and in support of the goals set forth for the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and OneDOT, the FHWA is launching the Freight Professional Development (FPD) Program.
The FPD Program will assist state DOTs and MPOs staffs gain the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the challenges arising from the increasing flow of freight on the nation's transportation system. Meeting this challenge will require an understanding among the various stakeholders, including transportation professionals, practitioners and policy-makers, of not only how freight uses and affects the transportation system but, more importantly, why freight is important.
A more detailed description of the challenges facing FPD, why FHWA is concerned, what FHWA is doing and the future direction of the program can be found in FHWA Office of Operations one-pager on the FPD Program (HTML, PDF - 265KB)
FPD Program Goal
To integrate freight infrastructure and operational improvements in the transportation development process at metropolitan and statewide levels.
FPD Program Objectives
The FPD Program objectives are:
- Develop an institutional underpinning for freight at the local, state, and corridor levels
- Foster intermodal approaches to advancing freight productivity and security
- Engage private sector stakeholders in the project development process
- Improve freight planning and decision-making at the State and MPO levels
FPD Program Core Elements
The FPD Program consists of four major elements that will be used to reach the target audiences. Each element is crucial to meeting program goals and objectives.