The 2026 National Freight Strategic Plan was released by the U.S. Department of Transportation. It sets out a five-year framework for modernizing the nation’s multimodal freight network. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

2026 National Freight Strategic Plan sets six priorities
2026 National Freight Strategic Plan sets six priorities

It also covers safety, security and efficiency across that system. The network spans nearly 7 million miles across the country.

USDOT plan covers six freight focus areas

According to a USDOT press release, the first National Freight Strategic Plan was published in 2020. That earlier plan identified challenges tied to e-commerce and the United States’ shift toward becoming a net energy exporter.

The 2026 National Freight Strategic Plan is built around six focus areas: safety, efficiency, security, resiliency, innovation and workforce. In addition, each area includes objectives and improvement priorities for freight sectors, including rail.

“The department will use this plan to guide national freight policy, programs, initiatives and investments; inform guidance to states developing their own freight plans; identify freight data and research needs; inform selection priorities for USDOT’s freight-related competitive funding programs; and provide a framework for increased cross-sector, multi-state and multimodal coordination and partnerships,” USDOT officials said.

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