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Tag Archives: rail
Electrifying freight trains in the U.S. is a really bad idea
Preface. Diesel-electric locomotives are ALREADY electric, and more energy efficient than electric freight trains. Diesel-electric freight is very efficient and moves 4 times more tons per mile than trucks because they hardly ever accelerate, stop, start, or travel over 40 … Continue reading
Posted in Electric Grid, Electrification, Railroads
Tagged electrification, electrify, electrify rail, rail, train, train electrification
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Why is passenger rail so damned inefficient?
[ 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 auto, bus, mass transit, passenger, rail
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Most energy efficient: passenger bus, rail, or auto?
Preface. Weight reduces energy efficiency, so one way to make transportation more efficient is to light-weight rail cars, buses, trucks, and cars. For every 10% reduction in weight, up to 7.6% more fuel efficiency can be gained (Joost 2012). While … Continue reading
Posted in Automobiles, Mass Transit, Railroads
Tagged auto, bus, car, efficiency, energy, mass transit, passenger, rail
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Overview of the United States freight transportation system. House hearing 2013
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, U.S. Congress Transportation
Tagged freight, rail, ship, transportation, truck
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USA rail policy: goals, objectives, and responsibilities. House hearing 2013
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 Railroads, U.S. Congress Energy Policy, U.S. Congress Transportation
Tagged freight, house hearing, passenger, rail
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Congressional hearing on transportation – industry and agricultural perspectives
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 agriculture, industry, rail, transportation, truck
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How logistics facilitate an efficient freight transportation system 2013. U.S. House
[ 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, Trucks, U.S. Congress Transportation
Tagged energy, logistics, rail, transportation, truck
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Congressional hearings on Rail
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 capacity, efficiency, funding, rail
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Expanding rail infrastructure to accommodate growth in agriculture and other sectors
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 agriculture, food, rail
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