Office of Operations Freight Management and Operations
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Urban Freight Case Studies - Los Angeles

Institutional Involvement

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENTS (SCAG)

SCAG is a leader in promoting goods-movement planning. As the MPO for six counties in California (Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside, Ventura, and Imperial), SCAG is responsible for maintaining and updating regional transportation plans for this area. Given this daunting task, SCAG has excelled at keeping freight at the forefront of the planning process using several techniques.

SCAG has supported goods movement planning through the funding of projects and studies, several of which are discussed in this case study. With the objective of improving truck circulation in the downtown Los Angeles area and thus keeping the city economically competitive, SCAG awarded the City a two-year grant of $145,000 to begin a Goods Movement Improvement Plan.6 After first-phase results were reviewed, SCAG provided the City with an additional $70,000 for the second phase of the study, and $50,000 for the third phase.7

SCAG also provides other means of support for the advancement of goods movement in the region. In 1996 SCAG brought together both public- and private-sector stakeholders and formed the Goods Movement Advisory Council to discuss the region's freight transportation issues and needs. The Advisory Council supports the development of policies and programs aimed at improving goods movement while fostering better working relationships between the trucking industry and the private sector.8

LOS ANGELES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION (LADOT)

LADOT has devoted much time and effort to improving truck mobility in and around the City. As part of its work on the Goods Movement Improvement Plan, LADOT identified 75 locations that affect truck mobility in the City. This approach can be used for similar planning applications in jurisdictions throughout the United States.

Like other state DOTs, LADOT funds, plans, designs, and constructs transportation improvements; manages traffic operations, including the design, installation, and timing of traffic signals; and enforces parking and other regulations. It also sponsors transportation-related research and publishes of variety of studies. Freight transportation is a major component of LADOT's research program, project identification, and planning initiatives.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY (METRO)

Metro is one of six County Transportation Commissions (CTCs) in Southern California. It is responsible for funding and programming all transportation projects in the region. Tasked with the assignment of allocating federal transportation funds, Metro has been a major source of funding for SCAG and other agencies involved in freight planning and project implementation.

6 Ibid.

7 Ibid.

8 Ibid.

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