As stated in Connect SoCal, the 2020-2045 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Plan, the efficient movement of goods is critical to a strong economy and improves quality of life in the SCAG region by providing jobs and access to markets through trade. However, increased volumes of goods moving across the transportation system contribute to greater congestion, safety concerns and harmful emissions.
The Southern California Goods Movement Communities Opportunities Assessment aims to understand goods movement communities and opportunities. While the benefits of goods movement are broadly dispersed in support of our consumption and economic activity, impacts are often concentrated, having disproportionate impacts on certain communities. It is therefore important to ensure that those most impacted are benefiting from the economic opportunities generated by the region’s goods movement industry.
This study aims to improve the ability of communities to capture the economic benefits of goods movement through a closer look at workforce development initiatives. It will focus on public health, workforce development, and communications best practices. Key products include a best practices toolkit for impacted communities, recommendations for impacted communities and the region, and a communications strategy for SCAG goods movement outreach.
Study Goals
The SoCal Goods Movement Communities Opportunities Assessment looks to:
- Engage the populations of identified communities to understand their views related to goods movement challenges and opportunities.
- Identify goods movement opportunities and how to connect to them.
- Identify burdens related to air quality, traffic, and lack of employment.
- Build relationships with disadvantaged, freight impacted and frequently underrepresented communities.
- Prepare, execute, and evaluate an innovative communication approach.
- Prepare a toolkit of strategies for the region.
Additionally, the study seeks to identify 6-8 communities of interest that are quantifiably disproportionately affected by goods movement activities and/or facilities, satisfy generally accepted criteria for a disadvantaged community, and represent and reflect various geographic areas, causes, and intensities.
This study is expected to result in an improved understanding of the challenges faced by goods movement impacted communities and how they are perceived; locally generated solutions and best practices to address goods movement challenges; identification and evaluation of innovative outreach tools and an improved community vetted approach towards outreach with goods movement impacted communities. This study will provide tools to empower communities to address goods movement challenges and benefit from economic opportunities in their neighborhood.
Please see the Fact Sheet for more details on how to get involved with this study.
Study Updates
Workshop I
SCAG organized a workshop on Tuesday, January 18, 2022 to learn about the SoCal Goods Movement Communities Opportunities Assessment.
Our workshop aimed to:
- Introduce the study goals and expected outcomes.
- Provide a forum to discuss potential goods movement opportunities and challenges that affect your community.
- Discuss the process of identifying 6-8 communities of focus for this study.
- Announce the next steps in the study and share opportunities to stay engaged.
Please view the Meeting Agenda here.
Please find the presentation slides here.
Contact
Alison Linder, PhD, SCAG Project Manager & Senior Regional Planner at linder@scag.ca.gov.
