Study: Freight Mobility & Regional Economic Competitiveness
Report Summary
Freight Mobility and Economic Competitiveness Study in the Core of Freight Alley
From large-scale manufacturing to grocery delivery, freight-dependent businesses and workforce are essential to access goods and services, as well as drive economic competitiveness in the tri-state region of Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee - the “core” of Freight Alley.
This post summarizes a National Economic Partnerships (NEP) study, conducted over the last year and a half by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT), CDM Smith, in collaboration with Thrive, and details how freight movement will impact the economic future of the region. Access the full report from the TDOT website here.
COVID-19 Impact
Since the beginning of this research in 2019, the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted many supply chains and businesses within the studied industry clusters. While some short-term observations were added to the research, the long-term impacts of COVID-19 are difficult to predict.
Aside from the near-term impact of the pandemic, research shows that how well these businesses succeed moving forward depends - in part - on how well the region’s multimodal transportation network functions.
Freight Alley Core Region
The NEP study area consisted of 58 counties in three states - Alabama, Georgia, and Tennessee. This area, called the “core” of Freight Alley, has 7 heavily traveled interstates (75, 24, 40, 65, 59, 20, and 85); 5 major cities (Knoxville, Chattanooga, Atlanta, Nashville, and Birmingham), and is projected to be home to 10.6 million people by 2040.
Thrive’s footprint of the tri-state greater Chattanooga region is in the very center, at the crossroads of interstates 75, 24, and 59.
Source: National Economic Partnerships Final Report, CDM Smith, 2020
Industry Clusters
The following clusters were selected in order to focus the study on industries that rely on freight to drive economic competitiveness. These five industry clusters employ 1.2 million people in the tri-state area.
Aerospace & Aviation
Agri-Production & Food Products
Automotive
Wood Flooring & Forests Products
Trucking & Logistics
What is an industry cluster? A group of firms with an advantage due to proximity, technology resources, and interdependence.
Source: National Economic Partnerships Final Report, CDM Smith, 2020
Freight Volume
This region is has several ways to transport freight including by river, road, and rail. That’s what makes it “multi-modal.”
Truck is the dominant mode of transportation in the region, followed by pipeline in Alabama and Tennessee, and rail in Georgia.
The prevalence of truck transportation is clearly indicated by congestion, with 12 of the top 100 bottlenecks in the U.S. located in the Freight Alley core.
Truck-borne freight tonnage alone is forecast to increase 44% in Alabama, 42% in Georgia, and 34% in Tennessee.
By 2045, freight tonnage across all transportation modes is projected to increase across the tri-state by 45% annually.
Daily Heavy Truck Volumes on Interstates in Freight Alley Core Megaregion, 2015
Source: GDOT Travel Demand Model, TDOT Travel Demand Model, Count Data from ALDOT, GDOT, TDOT, CDM Smith analysis, 2020
Daily Heavy Truck Volumes on Interstates in Freight Alley Core Megaregion, 2040
Source: GDOT Travel Demand Model, TDOT Travel Demand Model, Count Data from ALDOT, GDOT, TDOT, CDM Smith analysis (2020)
Study Recommendations
Several recommendations accompany the full NEP study report, and can be generally sorted into the following themes.
Partnerships & Planning. Strengthen multi-jurisdictional partnerships that support freight movement and economic prosperity.
Transportation Infrastructure. Explore highway capacity improvements and additional inland ports.
Economic Development. Study and discuss future freight, workforce, and economic trends and challenges.
Technology & Innovation. Seek funding for next generation mobility technology and solutions.