advertisement

---

Gil Carmichael, founding chairman of the Intermodal Transportation Institute at the University of Denver and former Federal Railroad administrator, recently addressed more than 200 members of the Railway Industrial Clearance Association. By soliciting industry input, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has taken “a significant step toward creating a new national rail plan,” Carmichael said.

However, the FRA could further address the needs of the globalized intermodal transportation infrastructure, he believes.

“Ten years into the 21st century, we finally realize the United States must produce a new, holistic, sustainable, ethical and environmentally friendly intermodal transportation system. This system would use alternative, reusable fuel sources to create an efficient rail-based freight and passenger transportation network,” said Carmichael.

In addition, the FRA’s National Rail Plan should include Canada and Mexico, he added.

By double- or triple-tracking at least 30,000 miles of mainlines with 100 percent grade separations, and using new technologies such as GPS, positive train control and digital sensors, an “ethical and sustainable, rail-based, North American transportation system will transform the continent’s infrastructure landscape in the next few decades,” said Carmicheal.