Freight Planning Branch

California's Freight Transportation System

Goods movement is a complex, decentralized, dynamic network of systems – a mixture of public and private infrastructure, carriers and shippers, planning and regulatory bodies, public involvement, and other players interacting at global, national, regional, and local scales. 

California is a major gateway and hub in terms of international trade on a global scale.  The State’s large population and market size also create huge domestic demands within its own borders.  While goods movement activities are critical in terms of jobs and the economy, freight movement may also have adverse effects on infrastructure, communities, and the environment.  

Freight Planning Activities

The Freight Planning Branch develops strategies, policies, and methodologies that work to improve the freight transportation system in California.  The Freight Planning Program is focused on the following activities:

• Ensuring public safety and security;
• Improving freight mobility;
• Developing long-term strategic plans and policies to improve the State's goods movement system, while protecting the environment and affected communities;
• Advocating for dedicated funding for goods movement programs and projects;
• Building partnerships with public and private officials and goods movement stakeholders;
• Developing analytical tools and supporting data collection to better inform goods movement planning and decision-making.

Goods Movement Modes

Trucks, freight trains, container ships, and cargo aircraft move countless tons of goods that buyers and consumers demand from manufacturers and suppliers all over the world.   Aside from the state highway system, much of the freight transportation network is privately owned and operated.  For this reason, partnerships with the private sector and local and regional agencies are critical to fostering and maintaining coordinated and efficient freight planning and implementation.

These links provide more information about the goods movement modes and environmental considerations. 

• Air Cargo
• Commercial Vehicles (Trucks)
• Freight Rail
• Seaports
• Environmental Considerations

The Freight Planning Branch conducts analyses of freight transportation system performance and future trends, develops freight mobility plans and modal studies, and recommends improvements to goods movement systems and operations through system planning, regional planning, intergovernmental review, participation on multi-state goods movement advisory committees, and other activities.  

Among the Branch’s current planning activities are the following (click on the links for more information):

• Freight Planning Fact Sheets
• California Freight Mobility Plan (and its predecessor, the Goods Movement Action Plan)
• Trade Corridors Improvement Fund (TCIF)
• California State Rail Plan, Freight Rail Element

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