Association of American Railroads

North American Rail Volume Down Through Week Six, AAR

For the first six weeks of 2023 (ending Feb. 11), total U.S. weekly rail traffic was down 6.2%, compared with the same week last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Feb. 15 report. Both the U.S. and Mexico experienced decreases, while Canada saw an increase.

"TSA should clearly articulate any problem with cyber risk it believes exists prior to resorting to regulation," AAR and ASLRRA wrote to the agency on Feb. 1.

AAR, ASLRRA to TSA: CRM Regulations ‘Not Necessary’

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA) “believe regulation is not required, particularly considering the extensive efforts of the industry to mitigate risk, and the ongoing implementation of Security Directives (SDs) by industry,” the two associations wrote to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) on Feb. 1 as part of their submitted comments concerning the agency’s advance notice of proposed rulemaking (ANPRM) focused on cyber risk management (CRM) in the pipeline and rail sectors.

(Shutterstock/ Monton Tiemrak)

25 UNDER 40

RAILWAY AGE, FEBRUARY 2023 ISSUE: Railway Age is proud to recognize 25 ‘Fast Trackers’ Under 40 in 2023.

(BNSF Photograph)

North American Volume Flat Through Week Five, AAR

Through the first five weeks of 2023 (ending Feb. 4), total North American carload and intermodal traffic was virtually flat (-0.9%) with same point last year, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Feb. 8 report. Both the U.S. and Mexico experienced decreases, while Canada saw growth.

AAR to T&I: ‘Railroads Bullish on 2023 and Beyond‘

The House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, now under Republican Control in the 118th Congress, held its first hearing on Feb. 1, “State of American Infrastructure and Supply Chain Challenges,” hearing testimony from Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Ian Jefferies, American Trucking Associations (ATA) President and CEO Chris Spear, Hamilton Construction Vice President Jeff Firth (testifying on behalf of the Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), Port of Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther, and Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO President Greg Regan.

Commentary

Real-Time Tracking: What Are We Waiting For?

“AEI (Automatic Equipment Identification) technology is 40 years old and tells us where our shipment was. What we need is a technology that tells us where our shipment is, and a more

“Rail traffic began 2023 much the same way we ended 2022—demonstrating reasons for both optimism and caution,” said AAR Senior Vice President John T. Gray.

AAR: ‘The Worst January for Intermodal Since 2013’

“It was the worst January for intermodal since 2013 with major retailers cutting back on inventories and consumer spending—especially on goods—having contracted,” Association of American Railroads (AAR) Senior Vice President John T. Gray reported on Feb. 1.

(Photograph Courtesy of BNSF, via Twitter)

Week 3: U.S. Rail Traffic Falls Below 2022, 2019 Levels

U.S. freight rail traffic in Week 3 (ending Jan. 21, 2023) dipped 2.1% from the prior-year period, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 25. Traffic trailed the same period in 2019 by 14%, according to Susquehanna Financial Group (SFG) Analyst Bascome Majors.

Union Pacific Photograph

For Week 2, U.S. Carloads Up, Intermodal Down

For the week ending Jan. 14 (Week 2), total U.S. rail traffic was down 1.7% compared with the same week last year; carloads came in 4.2% higher while intermodal dipped 7.0% compared to 2022, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Jan. 18 report.