U.S. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, asked U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg to provide information about the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) initiative.
In his April 20 letter, Wicker urged the USDOT to incorporate feedback from stakeholders in developing the FLOW program, an information sharing initiative that seeks to increase efficiency in the freight transportation system.
“Since 2020, U.S. manufacturers, retailers, consumers, and workers have experienced enormous freight and supply chain congestion,” Wicker wrote. “Any work to enable greater efficiencies in the freight transportation system must be usable for the enormous number of stakeholders who work in, and rely on, the freight network. To be successful, the FLOW initiative should adopt a balanced, open-minded approach that incorporates feedback from a broad array of transportation stakeholders and shippers.”
Wicker said he supported the principle of collaboration and information sharing amongst supply chain stakeholders but asked for additional information on the program’s implementation.
“Any work to enable greater efficiencies in the freight transportation system must be usable for the enormous number of stakeholders who work in, and rely on, the freight network,” he wrote. “To be successful, the FLOW initiative should adopt a balanced, open-minded approach that incorporates feedback from a broad array of transportation stakeholders and shippers.”
Wicker asked whether or not the USDOT consulted with stakeholders when developing the initiative, as well as what kind of organizational structure the agency anticipates for the initiative and its statutory authority. Additionally, Wicker asked for more information on the initiative’s budget, funding source, and measurable goals and outcomes.