The Mid-America Freight Coalition (MAFC) pooled fund began in 2006 to investigate and support the efficient, reliable, and safe transport of freight, and the related development opportunities. The MAFC’s major emphasis areas support the development of freight transportation and freight policy, and its linkages with economic and community development.

The Wisconsin Department Of Transportation (WisDOT) is seeking to lead a pooled fund that will produce freight research results, state freight development and multi-state coordination, and increase awareness of the importance of freight transportation. Ultimately, the results of the MAFC activities will support and develop the economic well-being of the industries, businesses, farms, and the people of the region by keeping their products flowing to markets reliably, safely, and efficiently. Products of the first generation of the MAFC include five freight transportation conferences with educational workshops and freight innovation components, the development of a regional freight policy response for two transportation authorization cycles, and completed projects in the areas of freight planning, truck parking, freight bottlenecks, commodity profiles, and freight performance measures. The MAFC’s current efforts are focused on completing a regional freight study, and analyzing and responding to MAP-21 freight initiatives while supporting the states in their response and adoption of MAP-21 components. Participation in this pooled fund presents an opportunity for agencies to support research on freight and economic development issues specific to the needs of DOTs, advance regional freight coordination, and ultimately allow for the quick implementation of research and development efforts. Using the MAFC as a foundation, partner agencies will be able to take advantage of a wide range of expertise in truck, rail, waterway, air, and multimodal freight planning, research, management, and operations to assess and answer their regional freight research needs.

The MAFC actively engages and supports the freight development activities of the states through research projects and reports, the MAFC annual freight conference and outreach efforts, web applications, and personal communications. Objectives of a second generation of MAFC efforts include: • Increase the awareness and utilization of the linkages between freight transportation investments and local, regional, and national economic development. Proposed projects to address this area include “Understanding the economic benefits and Impacts of Transportation Investments” and “Identifying Regional Freight Corridors as Regional Investment” • Identify, evaluate, and share information, technologies, and best practices between state agencies to increase awareness and speed of implementation of best practices, and increase the effectiveness of freight development initiatives. Proposed projects to address this area include the development and management of a regional freight data set for the coalition states, and continued efforts to identify and share freight policy, planning and operations best practices. • In coordination with the states, define, conduct, and manage critical freight and economic research that will support and improve the freight development efforts and the related outcomes. • Keep abreast of industry and commodity trends and incorporate this information into MAFC communications and efforts. Strive to be a clearinghouse for freight information and research. • Continue to advocate and support a regional approach to freight planning, policy and operations. • Complete a MAFC regional freight study that includes the identification of a system of national and regionally significant freight corridors, reflects MAP-21 initiatives, identifies and incorporates performance management, and provides a multimodal approach to understanding freight and economic development. • Maintain the MAFC website as an up-to-date resource, a source of innovative freight development ideas, and as an information-sharing hub. • Actively contribute to the development of freight policy and national freight research direction through AASHTO and TRB. With a 2-year MAP-21 and additional freight initiative expected in the follow authorization, projects such as “Access and Provide Freight Policy Innovation and Guidance” will continue to be relevant the freight policy area is established.

Partners are asked to commit a minimum of $25,000 per year. An evaluation of the pooled fund at the end will determine the need for a third generation pooled fund. This pooled fund will last no longer than 36 months. Future obligations will occur as needed to fund further activities set forth by the Executive Committee.