The SAFETEA-LU federal transportation legislation contains specific provisions to incorporate goods movement and economic development (or, more simply, freight) considerations in the MPO programming process. Through its long-range transportation planning, TIP development, and the conduct of technical studies (e.g., Greater Columbus Inland Port Studies, Central Ohio Regional Rail Study, Case-Study in ODOT’s Freight Impact’s on Ohio’s Roadway System Study, Central Ohio Freight Fact Book, etc.), MORPC has proactively sought to fulfill the federal requirement to include freight as a planning factor. MORPC's goal is to engage leaders in the central Ohio region in a public/private partnership for our economy and for the mobility of freight and goods. This is done in order to advance the region’s freight movement in a reliable, multimodal and intermodal, efficient, cost-effective, safe, and environmentally responsible manner, in order to maintain central Ohio as an international freight center. Strategically located within 500 miles, or a one-day truck trip, of over 50% of the U.S. population, 50% of the Canadian population, 61% of the U.S. manufacturing capacity and 80% of the U.S. corporate headquarters, Columbus, Ohio sits at a freight distribution nexus.

MORPC Freight Planning Overview