49 USC § 70101 - National multimodal freight policy

# § 70101. National multimodal freight policy

**(a)** **In General.—** It is the policy of the United States to maintain and improve the condition and performance of the National Multimodal Freight Network established under section 70103 to ensure that the Network provides a foundation for the United States to compete in the global economy and achieve the goals described in subsection (b).

**(b)** **Goals.—** The goals of the national multimodal freight policy are—

**(1)** to identify infrastructure improvements, policies, and operational innovations that—

**(A)** strengthen the contribution of the National Multimodal Freight Network to the economic competitiveness of the United States;

**(B)** reduce congestion and eliminate bottlenecks on the National Multimodal Freight Network; and

**(C)** increase productivity, particularly for domestic industries and businesses that create high-value jobs;

**(2)** to improve the safety, security, efficiency, and resiliency of multimodal freight transportation;

**(3)** to achieve and maintain a state of good repair on the National Multimodal Freight Network;

**(4)** to use innovation and advanced technology to improve the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the National Multimodal Freight Network;

**(5)** to improve the economic efficiency and productivity of the National Multimodal Freight Network;

**(6)** to improve the reliability of freight transportation;

**(7)** to improve the short- and long-distance movement of goods that—

**(A)** travel across rural areas between population centers;

**(B)** travel between rural areas and population centers; and

**(C)** travel from the Nation’s ports, airports, and gateways to the National Multimodal Freight Network;

**(8)** to improve the flexibility of States to support multi-State corridor planning and the creation of multi-State organizations to increase the ability of States to address multimodal freight connectivity;

**(9)** to reduce the adverse environmental impacts of freight movement on the National Multimodal Freight Network; and

**(10)** to pursue the goals described in this subsection in a manner that is not burdensome to State and local governments.

**(c)** **Implementation.—** The Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight, who shall be responsible for the oversight and implementation of the national multimodal freight policy, shall—

**(1)** carry out sections 70102 and 70103;

**(2)** assist with the coordination of modal freight planning; and

**(3)** identify interagency data sharing opportunities to promote freight planning and coordination.

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**Source Credit**: (Added Pub. L. 114–94, div. A, title VIII, § 8001(a), Dec. 4, 2015, 129 Stat. 1605; amended Pub. L. 117–58, div. B, title I, § 21101(d)(1), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 656.)

## Editorial Notes

### Prior Provisions

A prior section 70101 was transferred and renumbered as , National and Commercial Space Programs.

### Amendments

2021—Subsec. (c).  substituted “Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Freight” for “Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy” in introductory provisions.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective , see , set out as an Effective Date of 2015 Amendment note under , Government Organization and Employees.