Though modernized, computerized, and optimized, the core technology of rail transportation is what makes it so efficient: steel wheels rolling on steel rails. The steel in railroad wheels and track is among the hardest in the world. Impressive friction and wear characteristics provide a long useful life for track. There is no mode of transportation that makes better use of the earth’s properties—gravity, friction, weight, energy, and space—to move heavy loads across land more efficiently. Rail moves goods on 1/3 the diesel fuel and consequent air pollution as trucks moving on the highway system. This efficiency is the main reason that building and maintaining railroad track has historically provided a high return on investment.

These facts would seem to lend themselves to the expanded use of rail technology, but oddly, even as North American freight demand rises at the rate of 3% per year, rail freight’s market share had been in a long decline and has only recently stabilized.

Meeting the rising demand for freight transportation requires an expanded utilization and coordination of all transport modes. But as we look to grow the system, we must make best use of our natural resources and limit environmental impact. Increasing our utilization of freight railroads as we create the transportation system of the future will benefit all modes of transportation.

Photo: Michael Derrick