Mind the Gap: Freight and Rail System Resilience between Planning and Practice A Synthesis of Freight Plan Best Practices and Survey Results from U.S. Transportation Professionals

Freight and rail networks across the United States face mounting risks from weather-related hazards and other systemic disruptions that threaten operational continuity, economic stability, and community well-being. While state freight plans are federally mandated, local and metropolitan freight planning varies widely, leaving gaps in how resilience is addressed across scales. This study examines how resilience is being integrated into freight and rail planning through a two-part approach: (1) a content analysis of 43 recent state and metropolitan freight plans, and (2) a nationwide survey of 56 transportation professionals engaged in freight and rail planning. Findings show broad consensus on the importance of resilience, with shared goals around infrastructure modernization, system reliability, and emergency preparedness. However, state and local governments differ in approach: states emphasize compliance and long-term coordination, while cities and MPOs focus on community-driven innovation, mobility access, and priorities. Despite ambitious goals, survey responses reveal persistent implementation barriers, including limited funding, fragmented governance, and challenges in aligning public and private sector interests. Emerging best practices include integrating weather and hazard data into project selection, leveraging public–private partnerships, advancing multimodal connectivity, and piloting equity-centered local initiatives. The study concludes that resilience cannot remain a secondary objective—it must be embedded into core planning, evaluation, and investment processes. Recommendations include flexible federal funding mechanisms, stronger interagency and cross-sector collaboration, and targeted support for smaller and rural jurisdictions. Together, these steps can help bridge the gap between planning and practice build a more resilient, reliable, and economically competitive freight system in the U.S.