UNITED STATES RAILROAD INDUSTRY: OVERVIEW

This article surveys the freight operations, inter-city passenger services, safety and regulatory initiatives, and technology of the UK rail industry. Railways carry about 40% of US freight transport in tonne-km. In 1997, the major railways moved 1440Mt of freight an average distance of 1370km, and earned US$35 billion. The rail freight industry is in the private sector, and includes companies engaged in inter-city freight operations, which are responsible for owning and maintaining their track and equipment. The Surface Transportation Board (SRB) is responsible for the economic regulation of freight railways. Intermodal traffic is the fastest growing rail business, and was 29% of US rail freight traffic in 1997. Amtrak (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) is the quasi-governmental railway passenger company, and connects 45 states and Washington, DC. It operates over the freight railways, and owns lines in the north east USA. In August 1996, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) published its major study of future options for high-speed rail. In 1995, it implemented its Safety Assurance and Compliance Program (SACP). Technologies being developed by the railway industry and the FRA include new train control systems, non-electric high-speed locomotives, and safety improvements.