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April 22, 2024 No Comments
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NEED HELP 
A significant stride elevates the importance of freight policy and infrastructure at the national level
Washington, D.C. – In a significant move for the nation’s freight industry, Allison Dane Camden has assumed leadership of the newly established Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy within the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). As the first Deputy Assistant Secretary for this crucial office, Camden aims to elevate the role of freight policy on the national stage.
Camden’s extensive experience, honed during her tenure as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multimodal Development and Delivery at the Washington State Department of Transportation, positions her as a key player in coordinating national freight policy across all 50 states. Tasked with spearheading initiatives such as the National Multimodal Freight Network (NMFN) and the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) data portal, Camden spoke with FreightWaves to share her vision and the immediate benefits her office brings to the industry.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Allison Camden emphasizes that the new office will break down silos within the DOT, acting as a centralized hub for freight policy. The goal is to facilitate collaboration with other DOT divisions, industry partners, and state and local governments, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of the supply chain.
“FREIGHT NOW HAS A PERMANENT SEAT AT THE TABLE,” Camden states, highlighting the significance of the new office in consolidating and advancing the ongoing efforts within the DOT.
Navigating the National Multimodal Freight Network
One of Camden’s key responsibilities is to kickstart the National Multimodal Freight Network in 2024. This initiative, mandated by Congress in 2015, aims to prioritize investments in freight infrastructure. Camden envisions the NMFN as a critical component of the overall strategy to fortify the nation’s transportation networks.
FLOW: Revolutionizing Data Infrastructure
Deputy Assistant Secretary Allison Camden sheds light on the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) initiative, conceived as a solution to challenges exposed during the supply chain crisis. FLOW acts as a data infrastructure enhancement, addressing the need for improved information sharing among stakeholders.
Camden expresses her satisfaction with the initial outcomes of FLOW, with the first tranche of data already benefiting private sector partners. Despite its current participant list, the platform’s success underscores its potential to revolutionize decision-making in the freight industry.
Inclusive Growth for FLOW
Addressing concerns about absent major players from FLOW, Camden assures that the initiative started intentionally small and will expand gradually. With 65% of all import container bookings and participation from key industry players, FLOW stands out as an unprecedented collaboration between the federal government and the private sector. “THIS IS PROPRIETARY DATA, BUT WE FOUND A WAY TO MAKE THE PRIVATE SECTOR COMFORTABLE SHARING IT,” Camden emphasizes, highlighting the commitment to mutual benefit and overall supply chain improvement.
In conclusion, Allison Dane Camden’s leadership marks a significant stride in elevating the importance of freight policy and infrastructure at the national level. With ambitious initiatives like the NMFN and FLOW, the Office of Multimodal Freight Infrastructure and Policy, under her guidance, is poised to reshape the future of the U.S. freight industry, fostering collaboration, efficiency, and innovation.
