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Freight <br />Moving goods efficiently and effectively <br />The efficient movement of freight by truck, rail, air and <br />water is vital to the economic health of Hennepin <br />County. The Twin Cities region, including Hennepin <br />County, is the primary freight hub for Minnesota and <br />the upper Midwest. Freight -intensive industries for the <br />region include agriculture, mining, construction, <br />wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing, and <br />transportation and warehousing. <br />Transportation is a critical consideration for many of our <br />businesses. Congestion, lack of good connections from <br />major highways to freight warehouses and distribution <br />centers, and deteriorating roads are all factors that <br />affect commercial transportation costs and the <br />attractiveness of Hennepin County. <br />Freight -intensive industries account for 33% of <br />Hennepin County jobs in 2014. <br />In 2014, over 828 million tons of freight traveled within, <br />to, or through Hennepin County via truck, rail, water <br />(Minnesota River), and air. By 2040, total tonnage is <br />expected to increase to over 1.1 billion tons, an increase <br />of 37%. The bulk of that increase will be transported on <br />roadways. <br />100.00% <br />50.00% <br />0.00% <br />Freight Tonnage <br />Hennepin County 2014 vs. 2040 <br />Truck Rail Water Air <br />2014 2040 <br />$230 million annually in <br />congestion delay costs for trucks <br />(Twin Cities, Texas Transportation Institute) <br />Several industry changes are shaping the future of <br />freight transportation. Technology and innovation are <br />better managing truck fleets, rail operations and other <br />freight logistics. Dispatching and freight routing <br />software are improving fleet utilization and are <br />accelerating the speed at which products move <br />throughout the market (e.g. emergence of same -day - <br />delivery service). <br />The growth of last -mile delivery and demand for next - <br />and same -day service is pushing freight logistics <br />beyond traditional hub and spoke models to regional <br />options, crowdsourcing, digital, and smart automation. <br />The potential impacts over time for changing consumer <br />preference from brick and mortar retail locations to <br />home delivery may be significant for transportation. <br />The impact of these trends is still emerging, and future <br />updates of this plan will reflect any changes in our <br />transportation system. <br />Role and Partners <br />Keeping the freight transportation system running in <br />good order requires collaboration and coordination <br />among many partners. While the private sector owns <br />and operates most of the freight transportation system, <br />public sector agencies have important roles in planning <br />for the future of the system, setting overall policy <br />direction for transportation, funding projects that <br />benefit goods movement, and owning and maintaining <br />transportation infrastructure. <br />Hennepin County's primary role in freight <br />transportation is ensuring the county road and bridge <br />networks are maintained in a state of good repair and <br />managed to reduce congestion, which negatively <br />impacts freight delivery. Freight moves along Hennepin <br />County roadways and a portion of freight rail track in <br />Minneapolis owned by the Hennepin County Regional <br />Railroad Authority (HCRRA). Hennepin County <br />incorporates truck freight movement on county roads <br />as part of the planning, design, construction, <br />operations, and maintenance of the roadway system. <br />Key partners include the private sector, the Minnesota <br />Department of Transportation, and the Metropolitan <br />Council. <br />29 <br />