SOCIO-ECONOMIC ASPECTS OF MOTOR FREIGHT TERMINAL LOCATION

This study focuses on three broad topics: (1) Examination of freight terminal location patterns within nine metropolitan areas with regard to efficiency of goods movement; (2) delineation of neighborhood impacts created by trucking facilities; and (3) a brief evaluation of policy alternatives. Regarding efficiency of goods movement, the study found that, generally, terminals are well located, with excellent overall accessibility to transportation routes and economic concentrations. The majority of terminals is situated less than 3 miles from an interchange of a major limited-access highway and has good access to manufacturers and wholesalers and to neighboring regions which represent the largest markets. Examination of neighborhood impacts found that more than three-quarters of the 142 terminals surveyed have five or fewer housing units nearby. With more densely developed residential neighborhoods, terminals generate noise and visual intrusion that are often irritating to residents only within a block or two, particularly for night operation. Other potential effects such as air pollution, security, parking, and lighting were generally not found to be major problems. Such wider impacts of noise and vibration and traffic problems on residential streets are caused by trucks traveling to and from terminals. Terminals are generally situated near lower middle- income, blue-collar neighborhoods in which much of the housing stock is old and most is owner-occupied. Residential value tends to decline with nearness to the terminal. A three-part set of planning guidelines is presented for (1) estimating terminal land use requirements, (2) identifying efficient terminal locations, and (3) evaluating neighborhood impacts. The study recommends that buffers be created between the terminal and residential areas; terminals be located in areas surrounded by industrial or commercial land uses; truck traffic be prohibited from residential areas; and truck routes be designated between terminals and Interstate highway interchanges, and between terminals and other major destinations. It is also recommended that terminals be entirely fenced, lighting fixtures be shielded, terminal lots be entirely paved, and nighttime operation be prohibited or permitted only under stringent conditions. /FHWA/