Caltrans and the California Air Resources Board (ARB) briefed the Transportation Commission on a draft California Freight Mobility Plan and a companion sustainable freight strategy, and the commission directed staff to transmit formal comments to Caltrans and ARB.

Komei Ajise of Caltrans said the draft plan covers a multimodal freight network that includes interstates, major non‑interstate freight routes, ports, airports, Class I railroads and major hubs. The plan organizes needs around preservation, economic competitiveness, safety and security, environmental stewardship, congestion relief and funding, and it identifies categories of priority projects (gateways, corridors, last‑mile connectors, hubs and broad initiatives) rather than a single ranked list.

Ajise said Caltrans had engaged a broad advisory committee and conducted eight public meetings. He told commissioners the agency is working to meet the AB 14 deadline and expects to finalize the document later this year, with ongoing updates planned.

Doug Ito of ARB said the board's Sustainable Freight Strategy is a parallel effort focused on environment, economy and equity. Ito said ARB will present an informational update to its board in December and continue stakeholder work in 2015, with further drafts and analysis to follow. He described the strategy as intended to identify short‑term actions the state can take in the next five years and longer‑term pathways to low‑ and near‑zero emission freight technologies.

Commissioners and regional representatives urged stronger emphasis on freight's economic role and on coordination with regional goods‑movement plans. Aaron Hakimi of the San Joaquin Valley COGs asked Caltrans to acknowledge and prioritize projects from regions with adopted goods‑movement plans and to prioritize construction‑ready projects that lack funding, with specific mention of SR‑99 widening segments.

After discussion the commission voted to direct staff to prepare a letter to Caltrans summarizing the commission's comments (attachment A in the meeting material), incorporate commissioner feedback from the hearing and include stakeholder submissions such as the San Joaquin Valley recommendations. The motion to direct staff was made by Commissioner Fromer, seconded by Commissioner Inman, and carried (voice vote recorded as in favor).