Integrating Freight and Land Use in the Atlanta Region

1. Integrating Freight and Land Use in the Atlanta Region Talking Freight Seminars November 19, 2008 Caroline A. Mays, AICP Atlanta Regional Commission

2. Outline Overview of the Atlanta Region Key Freight and Land Use Challenges Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan Land Use Analysis and Recommendation Lessons Learned and Conclusions

3. Atlanta MPO Planning Boundary Former 10 County MPO 2000 Urbanized Area 18 County MPO

4. Continued Rapid Growth Expected

5. Atlanta Region2nd Largest Inland Distribution Market in US (tons) Atlanta Region is the 2nd Largest Inland Distribution Market in US (tons) Tons

6. Total Commodities by Mode for Atlanta, GA 12.31% Truck Air 0.25% Rail 87.44% Atlanta Region Total Freight Tonnage, 2005

7. Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography Truck Terminals Versus Business Location and Highway Network

8. Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography Distribution Business Establishments and Highway Network

9. Manufacturing Sector Establishmentsand Highway Network Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography

10. Atlanta Region Freight/Land Use Geography Construction Sector Establishments and Highway Network

11. Key Freight/Land Use Issues • Increasing the Consideration of Freight Needs in Regional Land Use and Transportation Plans • Conflicts Among Land Uses Constraining Redevelopment • Emerging Land Use Conflicts • Tools to Support Local and Regional Planners In Zoning & Site Plan Review • Methods to Better Consider the Multi-Jurisdictional and Corridor Impacts of Freight • Increasing Demands for Modern Warehousing and Distribution Facilities in Suburban & Exurban Areas

12. Importance of Freight and Land Use Coordination • Mitigation Requirements • Expansion Constraints • Operating Hour Limits • Limited Options to Enhance Logistics Efficiency • Noise • Light • Air Quality • Safety • Property Values • Quality of Life

13. Atlanta Regional Freight Mobility Plan Land Use Analysis

14. Conducted Site Visits Reviewed Existing Plans and Information Examined Interactions Among Land Uses Gained Perspectives on Freight Transportation-Land Use Connections Case Study Methodology For Examining Freight/Land Use Issues

15. Gwinnett County Interchange Development Area Atlanta Road-Marietta Blvd Activity Area Fulton Industrial Blvd Fairburn Area Henry County W & D Zone Case Studies

16. Freight Access Not Part of Urban/Site Design Major new mixed-use center with no loading zones, off-street truck parking or easy rear access

17. Residential Influx and Proximity to Intense Freight Uses New Housing Adjacent to Large and busy freight Facilities Townhomes Backing to Commercial Facility with Significant Truck Movements

18. Roadway Congestion, Safety and Usage Compatibility Issues Preserve Freight Mobility

19. “Brownfield” Redevelopment Potential

20. “Greenfield” Land Use Coordination

21. Incompatible Land Uses Coordinate Freight & Non-Freight Land Uses New Subdivision Overburdened “Last Mile” Locations

22. Preserve Freight Mobility as Region Continues to Develop Coordinate Freight & Non-freight Land Uses and Mobility Needs Ensure Adequate Segregation & Protection of Various Land Uses Build Goods Movement & Logistics Needs into Land Development & Site Design Summary of Case Studies Results

23. Plan in an Integrated Manner Provide Guidelines for Developers and Planners Enhance Local Comprehensive Planning and Zoning Processes to Address Freight-related Issues Key Recommendations

24. Recommendations Plan in an Integrated Manner - Look at the “Big Picture” • Long-range impacts of logistics activity locations • Planning, zoning, and policy tools to facilitate logical and community-sensitive siting of freight-intensive land uses • W&D development directed to locations with multimodal access options

25. Recommendations Provide Guidelines for Developers and Planners • Delivery/access needs built into site design and review process • Site layout and building design guidelines and templates • Adequate access for deliveries part of design standards

26. Recommendations Enhanced Planning and Zoning Processes Addressing Logistics-Related Issues • Integrate freight access needs into process • Consider community impacts of logistics operations

27. Freight and Logistics Needs Often an Afterthought in Planning & Site Development Review Processes Designing for Goods Movement Improves Overall Mobility and Access Proactive Freight Planning is Critical to Regional Economic Vitality and Quality of Life Consider Freight Implications in Land Use Planning and Development Review Activities Plan and Design Newly Emerging Areas to Accommodate Freight Needs Lessons Learned/Conclusions

28. Reflect Evolving Freight Transportation Needs and Practices in Site Plans and Land Development Apply Adequate Buffers and Mitigation Strategies Design Existing and Future Transportation Corridors to Accommodate Freight Needs Consider Freight Mobility Needs in Corridor Related Plans and Proposed Improvements Build Logistics Considerations into Land Development Lessons Learned/Conclusions

29. Thank You Caroline A. Mays, AICP ARC Freight Planner 404-463-3285 cmays@atlantaregional.com Additional Information http://www.atlantaregional.com/freightmobility/