Urban Freight Movement; what form will it take?

The American way of life relies on the U.S. transportation system to move goods and services effectively and efficiently. Much of this movement occurs in urban areas, so it is natural that we wonder about what form our urban freight systems will take in the next millennium. This article is divided into five sections. It begins with a historical snapshot of urban transportation planning and national transportation policy in relation to the movement of urban freight. It then presents the influences on freight demand. Next, it examines the potential effects of research and technology on urban freight movement, particularly how the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act is changing urban freight transportation planning and policy development. It then addresses the topic of educating future decision makers, planners, and engineers. Finally, it considers the direction that urban freight movement might take in the next millennium.