DOT releases ‘next step’ of National Rail Plan

DOT releases ‘next step’ of National Rail Plan    U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood on Tuesday announced the findings of a new report updating the department's efforts to develop a first-ever comprehensive National Rail Plan (NRP).
   'Giving rail a greater role in our national transportation system will help us meet the 21st century challenges of population growth, increasing energy costs, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring the nation remains competitive in the global economy,' LaHood said in a statement.

LaHood

   Moving Forward: A Progress Report, builds on the Preliminary National Rail Plan mandated by the 2008 Passenger Rail Improvement and Investment Act (PRIIA) and submitted to Congress in October 2009. It outlines the numerous factors, past, present and future that make a compelling case for improving rail infrastructure.
   The report’s findings show demographic analyses and forecasts anticipate continued population growth, especially in urban areas.
   “Coupled with corresponding increases in freight shipments, such growth will place additional burdens on transportation systems that are already working at or beyond capacity,” DOT said. “The resulting traffic congestion translates into lost productivity, not only harming commerce, but degrading quality of life for citizens. Since rail is one of the safest and most fuel-efficient modes of transportation, it is well positioned to make a significant contribution to accommodating this forecasted growth.”