The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is rolling out its first update to the National Freight Strategic Plan (NFSP) since the original 2020 version. Designed to shape freight policy, infrastructure investment, and supply chain resilience, the updated plan will deliver new forecasts and strategic direction for freight movement. The DOT is now accepting public and stakeholder feedback through August 14, ensuring the plan reflects current economic and logistical realities.
Key goals in the update include enhancing system resilience in the face of disruptions, boosting economic growth and global competitiveness, and guiding investment decisions across transportation modes. The refreshed NFSP will incorporate forecasts for 5-, 10-, and 20-year freight volumes, identify critical trade gateways, pinpoint bottlenecks, and evaluate infrastructure performance. DOT officials emphasize a “big picture” approach, seeking input from states, local agencies, shippers, and private sector groups to shape a plan that balances public and private sector priorities.
With freight markets under pressure from tariff-driven inflation and softer consumer demand, the updated NFSP arrives during a critical juncture. Industry groups stress the importance of modern, data-driven infrastructure planning—especially if the U.S. hopes to maintain its freight system’s efficiency and global edge.
