ALERT to my RR freight colleagues… California (and other) political proponents NOW HAVE access to a University of Texas complex modeling tool upon which to test their RR FREIGHT DECARBON CONCEPT PLANS as to the investments hurdles and alternate outcomes of substituting different locomotive POWERED fuel sources. Addressing the question — how much cost? For which specific public benefit as well as private benefits — … YES. A tool that monetizes the potential outcomes of deploying very different technology solutions. Then, figuring out according to the project risks — how to share in the CAPEX check writing. Keep your eye out for the University of Texas simulation model and deep dive report text. On RR FREIGHT ELECTRIFICATION. Now delivered and under review at the FRA in Washington. Are you ready for some serious economic/engineering risk-reward dialogue and numbers crunching California? If you are: then the next step is an interview with Tyler Dick and Mike Iden — and Rydell Whittall. They are three of the four authors. It’s time to pick their brains. Figure out the possible investment options outcomes — before finalizing regulations you might later regret. Use the science. Cheers! Jim Blaze. The prileged to have participated 4th author
Jim Blaze’s Post
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Aii was referenced as a reputable institution in a recent DC Journal article, examining California's initiative to mandate zero-emission freight trains by 2035. The article highlights industry apprehensions regarding technological readiness and economic implications. Read full article here: https://lnkd.in/gcs6WAVQ #ThinkTank #Freight #Technology
Another Calif. Transportation Rule That’s on the Wrong Track – DC Journal - InsideSources
https://dcjournal.com
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Heads up Railtowners! Quick update. Late last week Warren Davidson submitted "H.R.9248 - To amend title 49, United States Code, to provide States the authority to limit blocking highway-rail grade crossings, and for other purposes." It appears that the bill is meant to counter the precedent-setting State of Ohio v. CSX Transportation decision from the Ohio Supreme Court (later upheld by the US Supreme Court when they decided not to hear the case.) Despite the text not yet being available on the Congressional website, the intent is clear. If passed, the bill would give States the ability to place limits on the amount of time crossings can be blocked by stopped trains within their borders. This isn't the first proposal to address blocked crossings. This Congress introduced H.R.1347 (Called D-BLOC) that sought to place a national 10-minute limit on blocked crossings. It hasn't seen action since being referred to committee. H.R.9690 in the 117th Congress also had a time limit, and also didn't pass. History suggests the railroad industry is unlikely to support the initiative, as it would create an uneven patchwork of regulations impacting interstate commerce. It's on our radar. I'll let you know if/when there's movement.
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Earlier this week, federal railroad regulators held a series of hearings to discuss the industry's competitive shortcomings in today's transportation. Railroad executives and a panel of analysts were among those present. Check out today's blog for a closer look: . . . #railroad #rail #railservice #STB #regulators #regulation #marketshare #freightrail #classI #unionpacific #csx #bnsf #norfolksouthern #intermodal #logistics #logisticscompany #CommerceExpressInc
STB Hearings: Addressing Rail’s Growth Problem
https://www.commerceexpressinc.com
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TCA Chairman and Knight-Swift Transportation Sr. VP David Williams pens his latest piece for CCJ — Commercial Carrier Journal titled Seeking Equilibrium in Trucking Policies is a Balancing Act. Dave is spot on when he writes the following: "As an industry, we must actively call on federal and state policy makers to take a step back and reexamine the trade-offs associated with the policies they develop. We must strongly encourage policy makers to recognize they cannot take the supply chain or the trucking industry for granted." Read the full article at https://lnkd.in/ey5Fu7Ni
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The Short Line and Regional Railroad Industry: Short line railroads are a critical part of the U.S. freight network. #railindustry #shortline_rail #freight
Industry Facts
aslrra.org
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Trains are the safest and most sustainable way to move freight by land.
Technology has changed the way we railroad, from how we assemble a train to its length, and, yet trains are still the safest and most cost-efficient freight system in the world. Union Pacific's Executive Vice President – Operations, Eric Gehringer, writes to reflect on recent stories and reports about train length – and to share some facts about railroading, stats about length and safety, and the specific actions Union Pacific has taken to work with community partners. https://lnkd.in/gdXwKh4C
Trains of All Lengths Keep Economies on Track
up.com
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National Rental Sales Manager at Ryder System, Inc. | MS Candidate at The University of Tennessee
Are you up-to-date on the latest CARB regulations impacting the transportation sector? Dive into Ryder's white paper for valuable insights and practical tips.
What to Know About CARB Regulations
ryder.com
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Account Development Manager ADM SCS at Ryder Supply Chain Solutions with expertise in Team Building
Are you up-to-date on the latest CARB regulations impacting the transportation sector? Dive into Ryder's white paper for valuable insights and practical tips.
What to Know About CARB Regulations
ryder.com
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🌱 Navigating the Future of Freight: Insights on California's Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) Rule 🚚 In the dynamic realm of freight transportation, understanding regulatory shifts is key to staying ahead. Recently, a group of states, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, and more, have taken legal action against California's Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, mirroring the challenges posed by the Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) rule. The ACF initiative aims to transition fleets to zero-emission vehicles by 2040s. However, legal hurdles and interstate commerce issues have arisen, sparking debate about the balance between environmental goals and economic realities. The lawsuit underscores the complexities of navigating a regulatory landscape where states' rights intersect with federal mandates. It also raises questions about the practicality and feasibility of transitioning to a fleet dominated by battery-electric vehicles, given concerns about infrastructure readiness and alternative fuel technologies. At Integrity Express Logistics, we're dedicated to guiding clients through regulatory complexities and offering innovative solutions. With our expertise, we ensure seamless navigation of evolving freight landscapes while maximizing efficiency and sustainability. Let's collaborate to overcome regulatory challenges and drive success in freight transportation. Reach out to explore how we can elevate your logistics strategy in today's changing regulatory climate. #FreightManagement #RegulatoryInsights #SustainableTransportation 🚛💡
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Those of you who like transportation policy (in this case, bad transportation policy) might be interested in the California Air Resources Board’s (CARB) recent “In-Use Locomotive Regulations.” In short, California is requiring railroads to switch to electric trains while operating in their state (or use some similar “zero emissions” technology). Besides the obvious problem with a state imposing regulation on what is inherently an interstate industry, the regulation could very easily increase GHG emissions. Trains have much lower emissions than trucks – everyone agrees on this. If you make rail less attractive by increasing costs, hurting service, or both, then shippers will switch to truck. If loads are “mode shifted” to truck, then emissions for those loads go up. If this happens to enough loads – not that many, as I show in my analysis (https://lnkd.in/eM87nafM) – then overall emissions will go up substantially. CARB’s regulations will likely increase prices, hurt service, and reduce investment in infrastructure for rail. Paradoxically, even if rail were to reduce emissions through something like electrification, if that makes rail less attractive to shippers, then emissions could go up overall due to modal competition. It is important for policymakers to understand the market dynamics of the industries they are regulating. We should be doing everything possible to make rail (and intermodal) more attractive for shippers, not less. (My analysis is available for free at the link provided and is written in an easily accessible manner, with all assumptions and sources documented).
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The CARB rules are an overreach that’s harmful to the immense public benefits associated with shifting more freight transportation share to rail. Particulate and NOx emissions at rail yards and intermodal terminals located in densely populated areas (notably not including the Barstow location for the proposed BNSF project) are a valid issue however. But “Abbs did not mention how much of the localized health harms cited by the CARB rule would be fixed solely by the rule’s requirement that diesel trains not sit idling their engines for more than 30 minutes at a sitting, which seems a much lower burden on interstate commerce than the rest of the rule.” points toward a compromise I would support.