The State of U.S. Railroads: A Review of Capacity and Performance Data

by Weatherford, Brian A.; Willis, Henry H.; Ortiz, David S.

• ISBN13: 9780833045058
• ISBN10: 0833045059
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-10-25
• Publisher: RAND Corporation

Summary

U.S. railroads have improved their productivity, but increasing freight volume threatens performance-degrading capacity constraints. This report describes the current state of railroad capacity and performance for freight transportation. The public consequences of private investment decisions justify a public role in addressing concerns about railroads, but better data and analysis are needed to inform transportation policymaking.

Table of Contents

Figures
Tables
Introduction	p. 1
Freight Transportation: An Engine for Economic Growth	p. 1
The Pressures of Increased Demand for Transportation	p. 2
Concerns About Rail Infrastructure	p. 4
The Public Costs of Private Logistics Decisions	p. 5
Content of This Report	p. 8
Capacity	p. 11
Capacity: Industry Structure	p. 11
Capacity: Infrastructure	p. 13
Track	p. 14
Cars and Locomotives	p. 16
Signals	p. 18
Maintenance	p. 20
Capacity: Motive Power	p. 22
Capacity: Operating Strategies	p. 23
Adjust Rates	p. 23
Shed Traffic	p. 24
Adjust Operating Speeds	p. 26
Adjust Volume or Productivity	p. 26
Unit Trains	p. 27
Capacity: Crews	p. 28
Capacity Summary	p. 29
Performance	p. 31
Average Speed	p. 31
Reliability	p. 32
Prices	p. 37
Productivity	p. 38
Resilience	p. 39
Observations and Recommendations	p. 41
References	p. 45
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