North Carolina Experience

Larry Goode, PhD, PENorth Carolina State University

NCDOT in1990’s

• Logistics planning at that time– Little emphasis on freight – Passenger travel oriented (journey to work, intercity travel)

• “Fire drills” from Commerce - Mercedes• Statewide infrastructure investment planning

– Highway - STIP – – Top down

• Railroads being abandoned– ROW preservation, rails to trails or hold– Along US 17 rails disappeared (1980’s)– Castle Hayne to Wallace was kept

2003 - 2005

• Changes in the way NCDOT operates• Investment planning and construction –

less• Operating agency – more emphasis• Organizational changes to achieve ISO-

9000 like structure – take down silos

Statewide Logistics Plan Findings

• Need a plan (report more of a blueprint)• Short, medium, and long term actions were

identified• Collaboration between Commerce and

Transportation• Clearer and higher level interface between state government and private sector concerns in

logistics• Create a Logistics Board - small staff, report to

governor, have an ability to get and spend $$$, speak for NC

Governor’s Logistics Task Force

• GLTF may be the precursor to a NC Logistics Board

• GLTF’s Subcommittees – Best Practices Subcommittee– Commerce Subcommittee– Governance Subcommittee– Regional Hub Design Subcommittee

• Seven Portals Study is currently gathering information about regional transportation hubs that the board might take future action

Future

• Could be NC Logistics Board– Bonding capability– Zoning authority– It can both suggest investments and respond

to requests

• Growing cooperation with Commerce• Coordinated investments

Conclusions

• Logistics Planning is good for the state• Helps to focus the transportation

investments• Helps legislators understand needs and

priorities• Helps us return to our roots - commerce