The U.S. Department of Transportation, the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), and others all agree that demand for freight transportation will grow sharply overthe next 20 years.  With our highways already congested, the nation must choose how to accommodate these shipments in the most efficient and responsible way - by increasing freight rail capacity.

AASHTO's Freight Rail Bottom Line Report concludes that investing in rail would produce overwhelming public benefits.

Motorists
According to the U.S. DOT, congestion costs the U.S. almost $180 billion each year.  Putting more freight on rail, though, could significantly reduce this worsening problem.  One intermodal train can carry as many as 280 truck trailers; trains carrying other types of freight can carry the loads of 500 trucks.  Every ton of freight moving by rail means less congested highways.

AASHTO concluded that just a one percent increase in rail's freight shar over 20years would yield $635 billion in benefits to motorists in the form of time not stuck in traffic, less fuel usage, and fewer accidents.

Taxpayers
AASHTO also found that a one percent increase in rail's freight share would save taxpayers $27 billion over twenty years because of reduced spending on highway maintenance and construction.

The Environment
Locomotives are three or more times more fuel efficient than trucks.  One locomotive can move a ton of freight nearly 414 miles on a single gallon of diesel fuel.  Also, the Environmental Protection Agency estimates that for every ton-mile, a locomotive emits roughly three times less NOx and particulates than a truck.