The Importance of Resiliency in Freight Planning

Keith Bucklew, HDR Freight Planning Practice Leader, Pens Article for TR News on Resiliency in Freight Planning

By its very nature, freight infrastructure is a long-term investment, and its assets must serve the test of time. How a facility responds to and recovers from the stress and shock of natural and human-caused events determines the resilience of the freight transportation system.

In the November-December 2020 issue of TR News, Freight Planning Practice Leader Keith Bucklew explains the importance of resiliency in freight planning and how best to achieve it.

“Freight moves 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year, and the multimodal freight system that provides that conveyance must always be available to perform consistently and facilitate the unimpeded movement of goods and commodities,” he said. “When freight moves freely, customer service is maximized and logistics costs are minimized — and everyone wins. Moving freight requires tough, strong infrastructure.”

Bucklew explores the importance of being proactive in creating resilient infrastructure. He also outlines a multistep process, from assessment to selection of projects, that will lead to resiliency in freight planning.

Bucklew has more than 30 years of experience in freight transportation/logistics planning and supply chain management. His experience includes strategic freight and multimodal planning roles in the public and private sector. He is the freight discipline and practice leader for HDR and provides direction and guidance for all freight projects.

Read the article “Baking Resiliency into Freight Mobility Planning.”