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Title: KEYNOTE ADDRESS: THE VISION FOR INTERCITY PASSENGER RAIL IN THE UNITED STATES
Accession Number: 00748174
Record Type: Component
Availability: Find a library where document is available Abstract: The quick and dirty answer to the question, what is the vision for intercity rail passenger service in this nation, is that the vision is hazy. This is a period of historic change, when change is dramatic, complex and rapid. This is happening in many areas, including transportation. To manage this change is not easy, because there is not a national consensus on direction or goals. Today, a fully-integrated, intermodal transportation system that allows us to maximize our resources is a necessity if we are going to be a productive economy, capable of competing in the international trade arena. The authors of the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) understood this and sought to establish a national transportation plan. There was also an understanding in ISTEA that we need a rail passenger service component of an integrated transportation system for many reasons, including congestion mitigation, environmental protection, energy efficiency, and mobility for those population sectors who, but for rail passenger service, would have their mobility diminished dramatically. In order to develop a vision for the future of rail passenger service, it is necessary to undertake an evaluation of the problems and shortcomings of the existing systems and the opportunities to overcome those shortcomings. Additionally, a determination as to the future demands and requirements of rail passenger systems must be undertaken. After such an analysis, it would be possible to establish some clear sets of goals for the future. Steps for realizing those goals could then be introduced and evaluated for their potential contributions, risks, and costs. Once implemented, the final aspect must be a system of metrics to ascertain the progress towards the goal and the vision.
Supplemental Notes: Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
Monograph Accession #: 00748171
Language: English
Corporate Authors: Transportation Research Board 500 Fifth Street, NW Authors: Florio, JPagination: p. 7-9
Publication Date: 1998-3
Serial: Conference:
National Conference on Critical Issues for the Future of Intercity Passenger Rail
Location:
Washington, D.C. Media Type: Digital/other
TRT Terms: Identifier Terms: Old TRIS Terms: Subject Areas: Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Public Transportation; Railroads
Files: TRIS, TRB
Created Date: Apr 13 1998 12:00AM
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