Tag Archives: rail

Electrifying freight trains in the U.S. is a really bad idea

Posted on December 13, 2016 by

[ Diesel-electric locomotives are ALREADY electric, and overall more energy efficient than electric freight trains.  Only passenger rail ought to be electrified, though since buses are far more energy efficient, this is arguable (Why is passenger rail so damned inefficient, … Continue reading →

Posted in Electric Grid, Electrification, Railroads | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on Electrifying freight trains in the U.S. is a really bad idea

Why is passenger rail so damned inefficient?

Posted on October 10, 2016 by

[ This is about passenger rail, not freight rail, which is incredibly efficient. Freight rail is efficient because to reduce aerodynamic drag and diesel fuel use (USDOT 2008), they travel on average  only 23 miles per hour (to reduce aerodynamic … Continue reading →

Posted in Mass Transit, Railroads, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

What is most energy efficient mass transit mode: bus, rail, or auto?

Posted on April 28, 2016 by

Before I get started on which of these transportation modes is better, consider how much lightweighting buses, locomotives, (and trucks) would save on energy.  I can’t find similar figures for trucks and locomotives, but the next 2 slides about autos … Continue reading →

Posted in Automobiles, Mass Transit, Railroads | Tagged , , , , , , | Comments Off on What is most energy efficient mass transit mode: bus, rail, or auto?

Overview of the United States freight transportation system. House hearing 2013

Posted on February 16, 2016 by

House 113-13. April 24, 2013. Overview of the United States Freight Transportation System. House of Representatives.   [ excerpts from the 193 page transcript of the house hearing ] Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Rahall have designated this panel to … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation, Transportation | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Overview of the United States freight transportation system. House hearing 2013

USA rail policy: goals, objectives, and responsibilities. House hearing 2013

Posted on February 13, 2016 by

House 113-28. June 27, 2013. National rail policy: Examining goals, objectives, and responsibilities. House of Representatives. [ Excerpts of the 211 page transcript of the hearing follow ] Edward R. Hamberger, President and Chief Executive Officer, Association of American Railroads … Continue reading →

Posted in Energy Policy, Railroads, Transportation | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on USA rail policy: goals, objectives, and responsibilities. House hearing 2013

When Trucks Stop Running, So Does Civilization. Energy and the Future of Transportation.

Posted on January 16, 2016 by

When Trucks Stop Running. Energy and the Future of Transportation. Available at Springer, Amazon, Google Play, Barnes & Noble, Alibris Alice Friedemann   www.energyskeptic.com  author of “When Trucks Stop Running: Energy and the Future of Transportation”, 2015, Springer and “Crunch! Whole … Continue reading →

Posted in Electric Grid, Electric trucks impossible, Electrification, Energy, Oil Shocks, Railroads, Ships and Barges, Transportation, Transportation, Trucks, When Trucks Stop Running | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Comments Off on When Trucks Stop Running, So Does Civilization. Energy and the Future of Transportation.

Congressional hearing on transportation – industry and agricultural perspectives

Posted on December 7, 2015 by

House 113-36. October 1, 2013. Perspectives from users of the nation’s freight system. U.S. House of Representatives. The United States manufacturing sector employs over 12 million people and contributes almost $2 trillion in goods and services to the Nation’s economy … Continue reading →

Posted in Congressional Record U.S., Transportation | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on Congressional hearing on transportation – industry and agricultural perspectives

How logistics facilitate an efficient freight transportation system 2013. U.S. House

Posted on December 6, 2015 by

[ It is alarming that at a time we are about to rollercoaster down the other side of Hubbert’s peak, continued growth is expected. Chairman Duncan states: “With our Nation’s population expected to exceed 400 million by 2050, freight volume … Continue reading →

Posted in Railroads, Transportation, Trucks | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on How logistics facilitate an efficient freight transportation system 2013. U.S. House

Congressional hearings on Rail

Posted on June 24, 2015 by

June 10, 2008. S. HRG. 110–1165 Keeping America Moving: A review of national strategies for efficient freight movement. 74 pages. Hearing before the subcommittee on SURFACE TRANSPORTATION & MERCHANT MARINE INFRASTRUCTURE, SAFETY, & SECURITY of the committee on COMMERCE, SCIENCE, … Continue reading →

Posted in Congressional Record U.S., Railroads | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Congressional hearings on Rail

Expanding rail infrastructure to accommodate growth in agriculture and other sectors

Posted on June 5, 2015 by

Excerpts from 103 page: Keith, K. Jan 2013. Maintaining a track record of success. Expanding rail infrastructure to accommodate growth in agriculture and other sectors. TRC Consulting. [I’m working on a book about the distribution of food when declining oil … Continue reading →

Posted in Railroads | Tagged , , | Comments Off on Expanding rail infrastructure to accommodate growth in agriculture and other sectors