National Rail Plan reaffirms passenger train importance
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefDOT Secretary Ray LaHood submitted a progress report on the National Rail Plan to Congress this week with the comment that it “reaffirms the commitment of the Congress and President Obama to build a high speed and intercity passenger rail system while preserving the nation’s premier freight rail network.”
Noting the success of two historic transportatio ninitiatives—President Lincoln’s action enabling "the first transcontinental railroad” and President Eisenhower’s backing of the Interstate HighwaySystem—LaHood (pictured at left) said:
“The next American transformation will require an interconnected and balanced transportation network, that maximizes the efficiencies of every mode. A key to integrating these systems is high-performing rail, including the spectrum of high speed and intercity passenger rail, commuter rail, and freight rail … This investment will set the stage for the creation of environmental sustainability and economic competitiveness.”
“High performance freight rail” is the subject of much of the National Rail Plan.
“Key investments will be needed to meet future growth in freight demand,” says the progress report, though there is no mention of the federal participation envisioned by many railroaders in the construction of high-capacity intermodal rail corridors that would relieve the public highways of some of their truck burden. The report does note that compared with other industries, “the freight railroads invest one of the highest percentages of revenues to maintain and add capacity to their systems.”
