Central Ohio is within a one-day drive of 45% of the U.S. population which makes the region an attractive location for logistics companies and businesses. The region’s proximity to key markets as well as major freight assets like the dedicated cargo airport at Rickenbacker and Foreign Trade Zone (FTZ) #138, which falls within top ten in the nation, have contributed to the region’s constant economic growth in recent decades. Over 20,500 businesses in the region are categorized as freight-reliant by the Ohio Department of Transportation. Industries that fall into this category include retail trade, construction, manufacturing, and wholesale trade. In total, these industries employ over 351,000 employees in central Ohio. To continue to build on the logistical advantages that benefit the companies calling Central Ohio home and create more economic opportunities for its residents, it’s essential to understand the current performance of the freight network, evaluate how regional and global trends may impact it, and convene the appropriate stakeholders to address any performance issues.
Map of Central Ohio’s Freight Assets
The 2024 Metropolitan Transportation Plan’s Intermodal Freight and Aviation Strategies:
- FRE 1: Improve at-grade rail crossings and close or grade-separate crossings where feasible
- FRE 2: Address congestion points “bottlenecks” on the rail system
- FRE 3: Collect information on and analyze freight activity to identify developing trends and work to disseminate that information among partners and peers
- FRE 4: Maximize efficiency and provide needed capacity of rail terminals
- FRE 5: Implement new technologies for freight movement
- FRE 6: Make transportation decisions that positively impact freight movements and maximize the effectiveness of the region’s integrated freight transportation system
- FRE 7: Facilitate multi-jurisdictional dialogue to improve opportunities for collaboration
Rickenbacker Area
Located in the southern portion of the Columbus metropolitan area, the Rickenbacker area is a significant economic engine for the Central Ohio region. Home to one of the world’s only cargo-dedicated international airports and a rail yard intermodal facility, Rickenbacker is a logistics hub ripe with opportunity for further development.
MORPC’s Freight Planning work in the Rickenbacker area includes advocating for strategic infrastructure development during the transportation long-range planning process, convening the Rick’ Area Freight Alliance to discuss and prioritize major projects, and developing comprehensive planning studies in order to sustain the asset’s competitiveness.
Planning Integration
MORPC’s freight planning work informs the projects and strategies included in the Metropolitan Transportation Plan (MTP) and advocates for key freight related projects to be included in the Transportation Improvement Program. Additionally, this work informs the evaluation criteria which MORPC utilizes for making capital investments through the MORPC-Attributable Funding program.
Metropolitan Transportation Plan
Key Partners
Collaboration with key stakeholders is essential to developing freight planning strategies that address the diverse needs of the region’s economy, infrastructure, and communities. Engaging public agencies, private industry leaders, and community representatives ensures that freight initiatives are informed by a broad range of perspectives and expertise. By fostering these partnerships, regional planning efforts can align resources, improve efficiency, and create innovative solutions that enhance the movement of goods in Central Ohio.
Ohio Association of Regional Councils (OARC)
Rickenbacker Area Employer Assistance Program (REAN)
Columbus Region Logistics Council (CRLC)
Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT)- Transport Ohio
Central Ohio Transportation Authority (COTA)
Columbus Region Airport Authority (CRAA)
Groveport Rickenbacker Employee Access Transit (GREAT)
Other Federal, State, and Local Freight Plans
MORPC’s freight planning is aligned with state and federal freight plans to ensure consistency, maximize funding opportunities, and support a cohesive transportation network. Additionally, MORPC plays a critical role in informing state, federal, and local freight plans by providing data, insights, and feedback from regional stakeholders. This collaborative approach ensures that the unique needs and priorities of our region are reflected in broader policy and investment decisions.
Ohio State Freight Plan, ODOT
State of Ohio Rail Plan, Ohio Rail Development Commission
National Freight Strategic Plan, U.S. Department of Transportation
