FREIGHT PLANS & STUDIES
SGA is a recognized expert in the preparation of multimodal freight system/corridor plans, freight feasibility studies, and associated benefit/cost analyses.
SGA works with private industry and the public sector to develop system investments that improve the flow of goods from origin to destination within urban areas and between terminals and intercity systems. Our freight planning work includes the development of short- and long-term multimodal freight investment plans, intermodal operation feasibility studies, creation of freight mobility programs, facilitating public/private advisory committees, and representing freight stakeholders on business and trade panels.
Sorin Garber has been appointed to multiple freight mobility/transportation industry task forces charged with advising governing bodies about infrastructure investments and other priorities related to the traded sector economy. He has performed freight planning services for the Washington State Legislature, the Oregon Legislature, Port of Portland, Portland Metro, BNSF Railroad, City of Portland, Chicago Metropolis, Brooklyn EDC, and the states of Oregon, Washington, and Florida.
He is an appointed member of the Portland Freight Committee, Oregon Freight Advisory Committee, Portland Fixing Our Streets Oversight Committee, and the Regional (Portland) Business Plan – Freight Mobility.
SELECTED PROJECTS | freight planS & STUDIES
TRANSPORTATION and ECONOMIC EFFECTS
of BREACHING SNAKE RIVER DAMS
WASHINGTON STATE LegisLatURE and Port of portland
At the request of the Washington State Legislature, the Port of Portland, Oregon Departments of Agriculture and Economic Development, SGA led a team through an analysis of the impact to commodity flow and transportation systems (highway, railroad, marine) from breaching four Snake River dams.
During the Corps of Engineers periodic review of its dams, national advocacy groups led a public outcry to breach four lower Snake River dams rather than continue to dredge channels and perform ongoing maintenance and repairs of dam infrastructure. Breaching the dams would render the river non-navigable for river barges which carry over 4 million tons of commodities and represent a critical land low-cost link for farmers and other growers in Montana, Idaho, eastern Oregon and eastern Washington.
Mr. Garber presented the complex analyses to peer review panels of national experts representing academia and industry to add credibility to the findings ultimately adopted by the Washington State Legislature, Port of Portland Commission, and Oregon Freight Advisory Committee.
PORTLAND FREIGHT MOBILITY PLAN
PORTLAND, OR
SGA led a technical team in the production of Portland’s first freight mobility plan, adopted by the Portland City Council.
The plan considered the current and future demand and infrastructure needs of all freight modes — truck, rail, intermodal, steamship, river barge, aviation, and pipeline — operating within the city of Portland, and the relationship between the freight system and services to the region’s economy and employment. Portland has traditionally ranked as one of most trade-dependent regions in the US.
Working with a stakeholder advisory committee, SGA's team refined the City’s truck routes, developed programmatic solutions, prepared infrastructure investment proposals, and resolved conflicts with the needs of passenger modes. The team worked with elected officials, business interests and other civic leaders to update City policies that affect freight movement.
In support of the Freight Master Plan, Sorin Garber also prepared the Sustainability Freight Strategy for the City of Portland, and the Design Manual for Trucks and other Large Vehicles in Portland, OR.
SGA was also a key leader of the City of Portland’s 2040 Freight Plan Update, adopted in 2024.
E-COMMERCE and EMERGING LOGISTICS TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH REPORT
PORTLAND (OR) Bureau of TRansportation
As a prelude to its update to the Portland Freight Master Plan (FMP), SGA conducted research into logistics practices, land development and last-mile delivery activities associated with the explosive growth in E-Commerce.
SGA used a three-tiered research approach including: literature search, interviews with local shippers, carriers, freight forwarders, and economists, and directed PBOT modelling staff in updating the origin-destination and truck volume forecasts that were prepared for the FMP.
SGA developed eleven short- and long-term recommendations including new ordnances, navigation and curbside reservation technologies, curbside reservation, development of urban logistics centers and delivery kiosks, a crowd-sourced "Last-Mile Exchange", and others.
