We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • ProMat 2023
    • Upload Your Video
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • TRANSPORTATION
  • MATERIAL HANDLING
  • TECHNOLOGY
  • LIFT TRUCKS
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • Webcasts
    • Blogs
      • One-Off Sound Off
      • Global Logistics and Risk
      • Empowering Your Performance Edge
      • Analytics & Big Data
      • Submit your blog post
    • Events
    • White Papers
    • Industry Press Room
      • Upload Your News
    • New Products
      • Upload Your Product News
    • Conference Guides
    • Conference Reports
    • Newsletters
    • Mobile Apps
  • DCV-TV
    • DCV-TV 1: News
    • DCV-TV 2: Case Studies
    • DCV-TV 3: Webcasts
    • DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    • DCV-TV 5: Solution Profiles
    • ProMat 2023
    • Upload Your Video
Home » Passenger rail initiative could give boost to freight
outbound

Passenger rail initiative could give boost to freight

February 22, 2010
Mitch Mac Donald
No Comments

When it comes to infrastructure improvements, logistics folks can be a skeptical lot, and with good reason. For more than four decades, the professionals responsible for moving the materials and merchandise we all use each day have repeatedly seen their interests take a back seat to the interests of commuters and other motorists who are moving, for the most part, only themselves.

It's frustrating, yet understandable. As the old political saw goes: "People vote. Freight don't."

So it's probably no surprise that in the logistics community at least, President Obama's Jan. 28 announcement that the federal government would begin work on a nationwide high-speed passenger rail system was greeted with a collective shrug. After all, what were the chances that a major rail passenger initiative would offer substantive benefits for freight?

Actually, it appears the chances are pretty high.

In order to bring the vision of a national high-speed rail program to fruition, existing tracks will have to be enhanced, upgraded, and in many cases, replaced. Compared to today's trains, the high-speed trains need flatter beds and straighter lines. And in most cases, they require dedicated track—that is, track that's clear of slower-moving freight trains. It seems logical to conclude that building new tracks to accommodate high-speed passenger trains will free up more of the existing lines for freight.

Rail advocates love the idea. As they see it, the benefits cannot be overstated. Making greater use of trains, which are substantially more fuel-efficient than trucks, would reduce the nation's dependence on foreign oil and significantly decrease carbon dioxide emissions. On top of that, it would likely go a long way toward relieving highway congestion—by some estimates, a single fully loaded freight train can carry the same payload as 280 trucks.

Of course, it's a very big leap from visualization to realization. Consider that the $8 billion in federal stimulus funds the president pledged in January is just a "down payment" on a longer-term rail passenger project. The total cost of building out the 13-corridor project proposed by the government would actually run much higher. Although estimates vary, one source, CNNMoney.com, puts the total price tag at "close to $100 billion."

And it wouldn't even be a truly "high speed" network—one made up of rail lines devoted exclusively to trains traveling 150 to 220 mph. What the government has proposed is something far more modest. Although its plan does call for building some high-speed rail corridors (notably in California and Florida), most of the projects involve nothing more than upgrades to existing track to raise average speeds—which currently hover around 80 mph—to 90 to 110.

Trouble is, trains moving at a relatively poky 90 mph are unlikely to have much appeal for travelers. Some contend that in order to attract passengers for trips between 50 and 600 miles in length, the trains would have to move at speeds like those in Europe and Asia—150 miles per hour and up. But building a national network capable of handling "bullet trains" wouldn't be cheap. CNNMoney.com puts the cost at almost $500 billion.

Given the growing public outcry over government spending, it's hard to imagine that funding for such a high-speed rail network would be approved anytime soon. It's also hard to imagine that much progress could be made with just $8 billion in "seed money."

But it's nice to imagine it happening. After all, for logistics folks, it's the stuff that dreams are made of.

Transportation Rail Regulation/Government
    • Related Articles

      Shipper group says reciprocal switching proposal could save rail users up to $1.2 billion a year

      Export initiative could be supply chain nightmare

      Truck freight, passenger interests urge Chao to kill CSA proposal

    Mitchmacdonald
    Mitch Mac Donald has more than 30 years of experience in both the newspaper and magazine businesses. He has covered the logistics and supply chain fields since 1988. Twice named one of the Top 10 Business Journalists in the U.S., he has served in a multitude of editorial and publishing roles. The leading force behind the launch of Supply Chain Management Review, he was that brand's founding publisher and editorial director from 1997 to 2000. Additionally, he has served as news editor, chief editor, publisher and editorial director of Logistics Management, as well as publisher of Modern Materials Handling. Mitch is also the president and CEO of Agile Business Media, LLC, the parent company of DC VELOCITY and CSCMP's Supply Chain Quarterly.

    Recent Articles by Mitch Mac Donald

    20 years later, the question remains the same: Are you up to SPEED?

    Hail and farewell: interview with Gail Rutkowski

    Thought I’d something more to say …

    You must login or register in order to post a comment.

    Report Abusive Comment

    Most Popular Articles

    • U.S. manufacturing resurgence faces headwinds

    • FedEx pilots a trailer-loading robot with twin arms

    • Peak season for intermodal arrives with a whimper, as slack demand depresses volumes

    • GE Appliances unveils $450 million upgrade to manufacturing plant in KY

    • How to get your DC ready for driverless forklifts

    Now Playing on DCV-TV

    8022fd6a 1015 4e8b 9a40 4a5ac7c4f23d

    Take the guess work out of managing your forklift fleet

    DCV-TV 4: Viewer Contributed
    Intense materials handling operations can’t leave performance to chance. If you don’t know what’s happening with your forklift fleet – like truck location, utilization or maintenance needs – is your decision making really on solid ground? The Hyster Tracker wireless fleet management system offers real-time...

    FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

    • Rodent Radar: A Guide To Help Protect Your Business From Rodents

    • The Value of Genuine Parts and Service

    • Five questions to ask before electrifying your indoor forklift fleet

    • Unlock Success with Our Freight Tech Checklist!

    View More

    Subscribe to DC Velocity Magazine

    GET YOUR FREE SUBSCRIPTION
    • SUBSCRIBE
    • NEWSLETTERS
    • ADVERTISING
    • CUSTOMER CARE
    • CONTACT
    • ABOUT
    • STAFF
    • PRIVACY POLICY

    Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing