The NJTPA region is the platform for the distribution of goods to one of the largest consumer markets on earth. This encompasses the New York-New Jersey-Connecticut metropolitan area and much of the mid-Atlantic and New England states. The region is also a leading US international gateway with the largest port on the Atlantic Coast and one of the largest air cargo operations in the US.

The NJTPA supports freight in the region by:

  • Identifying and addressing regional and local freight needs in coordination with public and private sector partners
  • Developing and disseminating freight data, forecasts, and planning tools
  • Conducting freight planning studies
  • Managing the Freight Concept Development Program to advance local and regional freight initiatives
  • Hosting the Freight Initiatives Committee to serve as a regional forum for freight dialogue and education

Freight at a Glance

The region’s freight system includes:

Port: Northern New Jersey is the home of the largest container port on the Atlantic seaboard. The Port handled 8.7 million TEUs in 2024.  The rail moves inland at the Port totaled  639,657 in 2024. The Port also handled 407,657 vehicles, 2.68 million metric tons of bulk cargo, and 845,532 cruise passengers during 2024. Source: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Rail: Northern New Jersey is served by two Class I railroads—CSX and Norfolk Southern, a regional railroad (the New York, Susquehanna & Western), and several short line railroads. This region also includes the Conrail Shared Assets Area and extensive on- and near-dock rail operations that serve the Port. In 2023, New Jersey had 17.2 million tons of rail freight originating in the State and 21.6 million tons terminating in the State.  Source:  The Association of American Railroads.

Air: During 2023, Newark Liberty International Airport handled nearly 686,700 tons of air cargo.  In 2023, the three leading airlines in terms of cargo volume were Federal Express, United and UPS.  In 2022, the Airport was ranked as the 12th largest air cargo airport in North America and 39th in the World. Source: Port Authority of NY and NJ

Trucking: Trucking moves the most freight in the NJTPA region. Approximately 70 percent of the total 399 million tons of goods moved in the region were handled by trucks.  Source:  NJTPA 2050 Freight Industry Level Forecasts Update.

Industrial Properties: As of the second quarter of 2025, northern and central New Jersey had 875.5 million square feet of industrial properties, one of the leading concentrations in North America. About 2.3 million square feet of new construction started during the quarter.  Vacancies continued to increase during the quarter and are now at 7.2%. Source: CBRE

Data, Forecasts, and Planning Tools

Freight Activity Locator

The Freight Activity Locator is NJTPA’s ArcGIS-based freight data hub for North Jersey, providing interactive maps, dashboards, and datasets on freight facilities, corridors, truck parking, and commodity, and growth forecasts. It includes themed pages for the regional freight systems, developments opportunities, truck parking, and freight profiles. The freight profiles provide a 2050 freight industry level forecasts by region and by commodity type, including data on highway utilization, e-commerce, freight facilities, tonnage and more. The data provided in the Freight Activity Locator may be used to:

  • Screen corridors and sites for freight significance
  • Justify grants and investments with mapped evidence of freight activity and needs
  • Understand how local industrial/warehouse districts fit into the regional system
  • Identify truck parking constraints and high-impact freight opportunity areas

Goods Movement Strategies for Communities

The Goods Movement Community Engagement Tool is NJTPA’s interactive web resource for helping communities understand and learn how to address the impacts of goods movement by truck on local streets and neighborhoods. It explains the basics of freight and deliveries, illustrates how truck routes, land use, and curb activity affect quality of life, and offers practical strategies communities can use to respond to concerns about noise, safety, congestion, emissions, and operations. Freight research and strategies are constantly evolving; this tool is for information purposes only.

Freight Initiatives Committee

The Freight Initiatives Committee (FIC) hosts public bi-monthly meetings to discuss regional updates, provide learning opportunities and provides a forum to discuss regional freight trends.  You can sign-up for notices of freight-related news, events and meetings through the NJTPA E-list. Meetings are also posted in the Calendar. Over the years the FIC has had a large variety of speakers and presentations to promote discourse and learning. The Freight Initiatives Committee invites industry representatives to share updates and foster dialogue on freight issues; their participation and presentations should be understood as informational contributions rather than an indication that NJTPA endorses or fully supports the views expressed.

Freight Concept Development Program

The NJTPA established the Freight Concept Development Program (FCDP) to advance regional and local freight initiatives identified through planning studies conducted by the NJTPA, its planning partners and its subregions. The FCDP is consistent with federal guidelines and the Project Delivery Process implemented by the New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT). Moving forward the NJTPA plans to conduct FCDP studies every three years.

Studies to date:

  • Dover and Rockaway Rail Realignment Project
  • Hackettstown Bridge over Drain Weight Restriction Elimination Project
  • Berkshire Valley Road Truck Circulation Project in Roxbury
  • Port Reading Secondary South Main Street Grade Crossing Elimination Project
  • Southern Middlesex County North-South Truck Corridor Project in Cranbury and Monroe (ongoing)
  • East Hanover Avenue Bridge Catenary Rail Clearance Project in Morris Plains and Morris Township (ongoing)

Projects and Studies

Current and recently completed NJTPA freight planning initiatives are listed below. Past initiatives can be found on the NJTPA Studies page:

Regional Studies

County Studies

Key documents from other agencies include:

Freight Projects in the Transportation Improvement Program

Examples of freight projects and programs in the Transportation Improvement Program include:

  • Port Street Corridor Improvement Project (Project ID: PA2201)
  • Delancy Street, Avenue I to Avenue P in Essex County (Project ID: NS0504)
  • Kapkowski Road – North Avenue East Improvement Project (Project ID: 17339)
  • Portway, Fish House Road/Pennsylvania Avenue, CR 659 in Hudson County (Project ID: 97005B)
  • Local Freight Impact Fund Program (Project ID: 17390)
  • Maritime Transportation System (Project ID: 01309)
  • New Jersey Rail Freight Assistance Program (Project ID: X34)