Facilitator's Discussion Guide
Session 1. Advantageously Positioning
Louisiana's Transportation System
1. Topic: What should be included in a strategic plan to
improve Louisiana's freight transportation system?
A. Interoperability between manufacturers and carriers,
between modes?
B. How to market Louisiana's capabilities.
- What information is necessary to examine current
or potential development with transportation
systems?
- Does the State need to focus more on internal or
external audiences?
- Support for Expansion and Business Retention?
- Business Culture Improvements?
- Workforce development and Educational
opportunities?
C. Should Louisiana establish capital budgets to link
long-term government funding to short-term business
needs?
D. Do other states link transportation and economic
development issues? Any examples?
E. Are Louisiana’s Economic Development activities
well understood and appropriate for the State?
2. Topic: Which aspects of Louisiana's freight
transportation system are currently competitive?
A. What are your main reasons for working or
relocating to Louisiana today?
- Do you see these reasons changing in the future?
- If not, what is necessary for you to expand or
develop new business in Louisiana?
B. Does the transportation network link to markets
(both internal and external) work?
C. Do differences exist for serving various cargos,
either modally or regionally?
D. Does the State need to reform its current
organizational structure to be competitive?
3. Topic: Which additional business and markets could
Louisiana competitively serve with enhancements in its
freight transportation system?
A. Geographic:
-
South America
Central US
Canada
Europe
Asia (India and Far East)
Other (Africa, Australia, Middle East)
NAFTA (Canada, Mexico)
Caribbean Basin
Domestic U.S. markets
B. Freight type:
-
Perishables
Agricultural Commodities
Medical and Health related
Electronics – retail
Bulk
Energy
Construction
Automotive
Raw materials
Topic 4. How can Louisiana proactively prepare for
trade-related business opportunities associated with the
upcoming expansion of the Panama Canal?
A. Expansion of the Panama Canal?
B. Changes to NAFTA
C. Shifts in transportation modes
D. Ports, Markets, Inland Navigation, Terminals,
Drayage, etc.
E. Business Services and related freight activity
Session 2. Identifying and Pursuing
Transportation Infrastructure and Government
Priorities.
1. Topic: Which infrastructure and connectivity
improvements are needed to strategically position
Louisiana’s freight transportation system for
current/future market opportunities?
A. Major arteries and transportation corridors
-
Highways
Rivers
Rail
Air ways
B. Connectivity issues between terminals, ports and the
main transportation corridors.
- Intermodal Networks
- Terminal locations
C. Bottlenecks
- Narrow roads and bridges
- Airport access
- Rail transfer points
D. Reliability issues
- Frequent closure of locks
- Frequent closure of bridges
- Variations in transit times – locks and dams,
roadways, interstates
- Airport approach minimums
E. Other
- Low clearances
- Load posted bridges
- Airport
2. Topic: What are the key obstacles that need to be
addressed?
A. Major infrastructure and connectivity
B. Bottlenecks (e.g., capacity constraints, narrow
roads/bridges)
C. Reliability (e.g., frequent closure of locks/moveable
bridges, variations in transit times)
D. Other (e.g., low clearances, load posted bridges)
3. Topic: Which other ways can Louisiana become more
competitive for future business opportunities in freight
transportation?
A. Government regulations and taxation (e.g., liability,
permits, pilot fees)
B. Economic development incentives (e.g., structure,
eligibility, paperwork requirements)
C. Overall market conditions (e.g., workforce, energy)
D. Government help with:
-
State Regulations
Federal Regulations
Red tape
Taxes
Fees
Permits
Zoning
Insurance
Liability issues
Environmental
- Regulations
- Threat concerns and mitigation
E. Public and private incentives needed:
- Structures
- Energy
- Workforce
- Education
- Health
- Benefits
- Access to financial institutions
- Bond ratings
- Should local sales taxes be used to fund freight
related projects within the State?