Railway Age’s 2023 ‘Fast Trackers’ 25 Under 40 Honorees
Railway Age is pleased to announce the 25 “Fast Trackers” selected for this year’s 25 Under 40 awards program.
Association of American Railroads
AAR: U.S. Rail Traffic Results Mixed as 2023 Begins
U.S. freight carload traffic gained ground as 2023 began, while U.S. intermodal volume dropped, according to a Jan. 11 report from the Association of American Railroads (AAR).
For 2022, Overall North American Rail Volume Down
Total U.S. carload traffic for the 12 months of 2022 was down 0.3% from the same period last year; and intermodal units were down 4.9%; the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Jan. 4. For the week ending Dec. 31 (Week 52), North American rail volume was down 8% compared with the same week last year. The U.S. experienced a decrease, while Canada and Mexico saw increases.
North American Rail Volume Down Through 51 Weeks, AAR
Through the first 51 weeks of 2022 (ending Dec. 24), total North American carload and intermodal traffic dipped 1.9% from the same point last year, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reported Dec. 28. Both the U.S. and Canada experienced decreases, while Mexico saw an increase.
U.S. GAO: Effect of PSR on Rail Safety ‘Unclear’
According to a recent study released by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO), implementation of precision-scheduled railroading (PSR), a strategy to increase efficiency and reduce costs among Class I railroads, resulted in reductions in staff and assets, such as locomotives, and longer trains, but its effect on rail safety remained “inconclusive.”
STB Sets 1Q23 Rail Cost Adjustment Factor
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has adopted for first-quarter 2023 the rail cost adjustment factor (RCAF), defined as “an index formulated to represent changes in railroad costs incurred by the nation’s largest railroads over a specified period of time.”
U.S. Carloads, Intermodal Down in Week 50
For the week ending Dec. 17 (Week 50), total U.S. rail traffic was down 5.5% over the same week last year; carloads were down 3.2% and intermodal volume continued its downward trend, dropping 7.5%, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Dec. 21 report.
For Week 49, U.S. Carloads Up, Intermodal Down
For the week ending Dec. 10, 2022 (Week 49), total U.S. rail traffic was down 2.5% over the same week last year; carloads came in 1.3% higher while intermodal volume continued its downward trend, dipping 5.8%, according to the Association of American Railroads’ (AAR) Dec. 14 report.
Associations Petition TSA for Extension of Surface Cyber Risk Management Comment Period
The American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association (ASLRRA), the Association of American Railroads (AAR) and six other groups have petitioned the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for an extension to the public comment period on an advance notice of proposed rulemaking concerning surface cyber risk management.
Railcar Cushioning Devices Included in Component Tracking Program (UPDATED)
Railinc on Dec. 7 reported that it has added railcar cushioning devices to the Component Tracking program, providing “enhanced visibility” into their location and status.