Foreword: Consensus is growing among Congressional leadership—especially House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James Oberstar and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chairwoman Barbara Boxer—that "freight" should be a priority in the next Surface Transportation authorization. Two reasons for this new emphasis stand out: the growing recognition that an efficient freight system is important to a strong economy and jobs here at home, and that a vibrant and integrated freight system is a basic ingredient in keeping America competitive abroad.

Based on AASHTO's analysis contained in this report, it is clear that the U.S. freight system is not keeping up with the demands being made on it. The collapse of the economy in late 2008 temporarily reduced the volumes of freight moving through our seaports, and reduced related truck and rail freight activity. The time it takes for the economy to recover will give the freight system a breather before capacity deficiencies again constrain U.S. economic growth and productivity. During the interim, we must move aggressively to determine the system improvements needed and use this information to develop a strategic national freight plan that will take us there.

We have prepared this report to describe how important an efficient freight system is to the economy, the congestion already taking place, the growth in anticipated demand, and the challenge of keeping America competitive in the world economy.

The country has a lot at stake. It is critically important for our national leaders to address the challenges ahead and to fund the freight system capacity we need.