The Freight Roundtable was created in 2004 and consists of members of both the public and private sector. The Freight Roundtable’s mission is to assist in the efficient movement of freight in the Greater Des Moines Region.  The Freight Roundtable meets bi-monthly on the third Wednesday of the month.

If you have an active interest in freight and goods movement, have questions about the group, would like to attend the Freight Roundtable meetings, or would like copies of past agendas or minutes, please contact Andrew Collings.

Final Railport Project:

Market Analysis
Feasibility Report
Transportation Impediments
Rail Map

Another project that is spearheaded by the Freight Roundtable is a freight container coordination project. In Iowa there are thousands of shipping containers that enter the state’s borders every year that once they are delivered, the container then leaves empty in order to make its way back to ports for further usage. That equates to millions of deadhead miles and represents a major inefficiency. A project is underway to create a website that local shippers can use to identify containers coming to their area and then can negotiate to use that container to ship their product. This website will allow for greater usage of containers and should significantly reduce the number of deadhead miles being traveled.

For more information about this project, please contact Andrew Collings.

 Planning to attend a meeting?

Anyone planning to attend MPO meetings who may need auxiliary aids or services should call the Des Moines Area MPO office at 515-334-0075. Please call at least 48 hours in advance so that appropriate arrangements can be made.