Issue / Railroads
Railroads have been a vital aspect of the transportation system for nearly 200 years. Moving both passengers and freight, railroads offer high capacity and efficient transportation options. Freight railroads in the United States are mostly owned by private companies, who maintain and operate their system using wholly private revenues. Passenger systems, whether through Amtrak or various commuter railroads, require public assistance and either operate on their own track or pay to use freight railroad-own track.
Schedule Set for Possible National Railroad Strike in Mid-September
Jun 17, 2022 | Jeff DavisU.S. freight railroads and their unions took steps this week to enter the final phase of their latest labor negotiation, setting a...
House Lawmakers Debate Freight Rail Labor and Safety Issues
Jun 17, 2022 | Ethan McLeodThe House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee this week held a wide-ranging hearing with railroad regulators, labor leaders,...
Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Hearing Previews Future Rulings
May 13, 2022 | Paul LewisExacerbated by supply chain bottlenecks and workforce woes, members of Congress expressed their concern with the recent performance of...
Guest Op-Ed: The Real Danger of Mandatory Reciprocal Switching Is Freight Rail Stagnation
Mar 11, 2022 | Marc ScribnerOn March 15, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) will hold a hearing on a 2016 regulatory proposal that would amend agency policy...
As Brightline struggles with deadly accidents, what will future hold for South Florida rail expansion?
Feb 20, 2022 | Paul Lewis“It’s really in everyone’s interest to try to make sure this stops happening as soon as possible,” said Paul Lewis, policy...
T&I Hearing Looks at Expanded Intercity Passenger Rail
Dec 10, 2021 | Brianne EbyOn Thursday, December 9, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee...
Op-Ed: Recognizing the Reasons for Railroad Deaths
Oct 08, 2021 | Paul Lewis and Robert PuentesWhile we do not yet know the precise cause of the recent Amtrak derailment in Montana, the response was swift. The National...
Safer Railroading: A Guide Toward Targeted Safety Policy
Sep 29, 2021 | Paul Lewis, Malcolm KentonRailroads are among the safest modes of transportation for workers, riders, and the public. Strong federal standards for railroad track...
Webinar: Safer Railroading: A Discussion About Targeted Safety Policy
Oct 07, 2021 | Madeline GormanThis webinar discusses the findings from Eno's report: Safer Railroading: A Guide Toward Targeted Safety Policy. According to...
Guest Op-Ed: House Transportation Bill Incomplete on U.S. Rail Policy
Jun 18, 2021 | Ian JefferiesThe House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee recently passed a large-scale surface transportation bill, and it is safe to...
Here’s how the GOP infrastructure plan stacks up against Biden’s transportation plans
Apr 23, 2021 | Jeff DavisJeff Davis examined what Biden and Senate Republicans are proposing to spend on roads, transit, rail, airports and safety programs over...
White House plan calls for large expansion of federal government’s role in transportation
Mar 31, 2021 | Jeff DavisThe Biden administration is calling for $365 billion in highway spending, $189 billion for transit and $94 billion for rail over five...