In the News…

Shifting more freight to rail can ease congestion and save fuel
The Seventh Annual Congestion Relief Index, a study of traffic congestion in 82 major urban areas, was recently released. It determined that if just 25% of the nation's freight volume shifts from truck to rail by 2026, motorists could save about 79 gallons of fuel each year, that is an average of $985 in fuel costs annually, because less time would be spent sitting in traffic. It also determined that commuters could save 41 hours in time spent commuting each year. In addition to easing the strain on motorists, the freight shift could reduce air pollutants by about 920,500 tons annually.
CNBC, "Study Shows that Freight Rail Can Reduce Gridlock on American Highways" 1 July 2008.

North Carolina announces more rail service between Raleigh and Charlotte
In early June, Governor Easley announced that a third Piedmont train would be added to run midday between Raleigh and Charlotte. The train was added to meet increased ridership and demand. Operation of the additional route is estimated at $3 million a year. The money will come from the federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Program. NCDOT estimates that it will take six to twelve months to make the additional run operational. To learn more about Amtrak service in North Carolina visit www.bytrain.org.
The News & Observer, "Train Service to Charlotte to Increase" 5 June 2008.

U.S. DOT Action Plan continues to make crossings safer
U.S. DOT Secretary Mary E. Peters recently announced that several safety initiatives designed to reduce collisions at highway-rail crossings will be completed by the end of 2008. The initiatives are part of the Highway-Rail Crossing Safety and Trespass Prevention Action Plan, originally issued in 2004. Thus far the Action Plan has been successful. Between 2004 and 2007 grade crossing accidents declined 10.8% and grade crossing fatalities declined 9.1%. More work is still needed, however, at the nation's nearly 227,000 grade crossings. Last year there were 2,746 collisions and 338 deaths. This year the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will issue a multi-year research and development plan, which will include research projects for innovative and low-cost technologies to modernize crossings, making them safer. The FRA will also issue a revised guidebook to assist states and communities in closing or consolidating public grade crossings, while improving crossings that remain open. Since 2004, 18,000 crossings have been closed. To learn more visit www.fra.dot.gov

Mass Transit ridership increasing
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) recently reported that mass transit ridership in the United States is surging, especially rail transit. APTA reported that Americans took 2.6 billion trips on public transportation in the first three months of 2008. That is almost 85 million more trips than during the same period last year. The total number of trips taken in 2007 was the highest in 50 years; it seems 2008 may surpass that record. While public transportation ridership has increased 3.3% in 2008, the Federal Highway Administration reported that vehicle miles on the nation's roads declined 2.3% in the first quarter of 2008.
Railway Track & Structure, "Mass Transit ridership surging" 2 June 2008.

Criteria for Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Program issued
The Federal Railroad Administration recently issued the eligibity requirements and selection criteria for grants provided by the SAFETEA-LU Rail Line Relocation and Improvement Program. To be eligble a project must ease rail traffic's effects on a community, improve safety or motor vehicle traffic flow, or involve a lateral or vertical relocation of any portion of the line. The state, or entity proposing the project, will be required to pay at least 10 percent of the cost. Congress has appropriated $20 million for the program in fiscal year 2008.
Progressive Railroading, "FRA lays out eligibility, selection requirements for capital grant program " 14 July 2008.

CATS could receive another $18 million for light rail
The Charlotte Area Transit System may receive $18 million in federal money to help pay for an extension of their Lynx Blue Line light rail system. That would be $8 million more than requested--a sign of the Lynx line's success. The money would go towards the $30 million engineering and design of an 11.5 mile extension from uptown to the University City area. CATS plans to have the final design of the extension completed by the summer of 2010 and will then attempt to obtain funding assistance from the Federal Transit Administration for construction. The construction is expected to cost at least $800 million.
Charlotte Business Journal, "U.S. Senate earmarks $18M for Charlotte light rail extension" 14 July 2008.

Freight intermodal traffic down in U.S.
According to the Association of American Railroads (AAR) reports, freight carload volume on U.S. railroads was up during most weeks this July, compared to volumes in 2007. Of the 19 commodity groups tracked by the AAR, six were up, with metallic ores up 23.8 percent and grain up 5.0 percent. Motor vehicles and equipment were down 33.6 percent, and lumber and wood products were down 19.6 percent. Intermodal traffic has also been down. Intermodal loadings, which are not included in carload data, totaled 235,397 containers, decreasing 3.2 percent from a year ago.
Logistics Management, "Railroad shipping: AAR says carload and intermodal freight are down" 31 July 2008.

House and Senate approve Amtrak reauthorization
The U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate have both approved legislation that reauthorizes Amtrak for five years and provides $1.55 billion in funding for Amtrak in the next fiscal year. The legislation aims to improve U.S. passenger train service, by encouraging significant investment in rail infrastructure and capacity. In addition, the bill includes $100 million in state capital grants to add or improve state-supported intercity passenger-rail service.  The Federal Railroad Administration was also allocated $1.8 billion.
Progressive Railroading, "Senate committee approves FY09 funds for FTA, FRA and Amtrak" 15 July 2008.

Working on the Railroad
21st Century Transportation Committee Looks at Rail and Transit

J. Bradley (Brad) Wilson currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Blue Cross Blue Shield North Carolina. His vast civic involvement, however, includes a great deal of transportation experience. In the 1980s Brad served as a member of the North Carolina Board of Transportation and the North Carolina Aeronautics Council. He served ten years on the North Carolina Railroad Company Board, where he served as Secretary, Vice Chair, and Chairman.

Brad currently serves as Chair of the 21st Century Transportation Committee, which is to make recommendations to the General Assembly in a plan due December 31, 2008. Brad knows improvements to North Carolina's transportation infrastructure are critical as North Carolina's population is expected to increase by 4 million by 2030, making it the seventh largest state in the nation based on population.

As a member of the North Carolina Railroad Company Board, Brad helped plan the North Carolina Railroad's $160 million capital investment program. He believes improved rail and roadway infrastructure will enable freight and passengers to move through the state efficiently, allowing North Carolina to remain competitive.

Did you know?

NCDOT, NCRR, and NS to improve 43 crossings in eastern NC
North Carolina Department of Transportation’s Rail Division (NCDOT), the North Carolina Railroad Company (NCRR), and Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) are making safety improvements to 43 at-grade public crossings between Selma and Morehead City in Johnston, Wayne, Lenoir, Craven and Carteret counties. Completion of all improvements will take approximately three years and cost an estimated $7.6 million dollars.

NCDOT will contribute about 56 percent of the crossing improvement costs through the Federal Crossing Safety Funds. NCRR will contribute about 24 percent and Norfolk Southern about 20 percent. This project is part of NCDOT’s comprehensive statewide program to enhance highway safety by adding or improving signals and gates at public railroad crossings. Mechanical warning devices are now in place at more than 2,400 of North Carolina's 4,121 public at-grade crossings.

Last year, there were 68 collisions at highway-rail grade crossings in North Carolina, resulting in 20 injuries and 5 fatalities. As rail and highway traffic continues to increase in the state, these crossing improvements will be essential in preventing future crossing accidents.

Published by the North Carolina Railroad Company Volume 2, Issue 4
Comments or questions? Catherine Campbell or Kat Christian (919) 954-7601 e-mail: raillines@ncrr.com

2809 Highwoods Blvd. Suite 100
Raleigh, NC 27604

To subscribe or unsubscribe to Rail Lines, please send an email to raillines@ncrr.com.