Vision Statement
For a model port and goods movement system

  1. Uses all electric power on land from non-nuclear, renewable sources (solar, wind, wave, geothermal)
  2. Is non climate-changing. Mitigates ocean crossing carbon emissions with tree planting (or equivalent).
  3. Uses regional container movement planning to expedite freight movement and minimize energy demand.
  4. Uses urban planning models that place high capacity facilities near rail tracks (or maglev guideways) to minimize energy use and sprawl.
  5. Uses employee truck drivers for all trucking needs, in the ports and inland.
  6. Pays all labor a livable or family wage and benefits package with pensions.
  7. Has safe working conditions and allows labor organizing.
  8. Limits trucking to shortest hauls — uses modernized rail for longer hauls.
  9. Uses technologies like maglev or modernized rail to reduce noise.
  10. Uses electric trucks in high-demand, short-haul areas.For flexibility, rail system (maglev or modernized rail) can move cargo containers one at a time or in longer trains.
  11. Has no grade crossings that mix trains and vehicles (a given for maglev).
  12. Is paid for by users not taxpayers. This passes on the thrift incentive to us as consumers — and avoids a taxpayer subsidy that encourages overspending and over-consumption.
  13. Does not externalize environmental, health, or debt expenses, does not rely on subsidies — stands on its own feet and pays its own way
  14. Every container is given a unique serial number and "thumb print." The whereabouts of all containers is known at all times. Ample time is allocated to ensuring shipments are safe and secure.
  15. Does not create visual blight and overwhelm neighborhoods with negative impacts.
  16. Balances load between ports and uses multiple freight routes to decrease vulnerability in a natural disaster.
  17. Uses national and global goods movement management to minimize transportation needs. Encourages local production to minimize transportation needs.
  18. Engages in fair and free trade with equal partners. Overseas workers must have the right to organize and citizens to redress their governments for grievances without fear of persecution.