Longtime Plainview resident Howard Mann received an Excellence in Transportation award from the New York State Department of Transportation for exceptional achievements in freight planning for the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC).

The award, which was presented by state DOT Commissioner Astrid Glynn at a ceremony in Albany on Oct. 21, recognized his contributions over the last decade for developing a regional freight planning process.

"At the state Department of Transportation, our employees are one of our biggest assets, without which we would not be able to meet our mission of managing the state's transportation infrastructure," Commissioner Glynn said. "Governor David Paterson and I are proud to highlight the successes of these hardworking people."

The awards are presented annually to employees who demonstrate exceptional skill or dedication within one of four categories, including act of valor, career excellence, program or process advancement and project or individual accomplishment.

"For the last 10 years, Howie has brought a renewed emphasis and energy to freight planning in our region," said Joel Ettinger, executive director of NYMTC. "Considering that the vast majority of the freight in the tri-state region is transported by trucks on public roads - and that we expect to see a 47 percent increase in freight movement in our region over the next 20 years - this work is increasingly important to our communities and to our economic health. The work that Howie is doing really is groundbreaking and, without a doubt, he deserves this recognition."

Mann joined the NYMTC staff in 1983, and since 1999, has spearheaded regional freight planning. He is a nationally recognized expert in the field and has been in the forefront of critical freight-related studies and plans, including NYMTC's first Regional Freight Plan. He is currently overseeing studies looking at the potential to connect freight planning and land use planning through freight villages in the region, and at multistate coordination in the provision of truck rest stops in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. Mann also convenes NYMTC's Freight Transportation Working Group and has made presentations to national organizations on freight issues.

"It's been rewarding and satisfying to work on a subject as unique as freight planning," said Mann. "I have had a great opportunity to contribute to a better understanding of something that affects everyone's life. As we continue to plan for the future of freight movement in our area, our past efforts will be the basis for the next steps and a rational plan for our region."

The New York Metropolitan Transportation Council is an association of governments, transportation providers and environmental agencies that is a collaborative forum for regional transportation planning. The NYMTC region includes New York City, Long Island and the lower Hudson Valley.