(The Association of American Railroads issued the following news release on February 13.)
WASHINGTON — The American public would like to see more freight and passenger traffic going by rail, according to a nationwide Harris Poll released February 8.
“The American public clearly recognizes the value of railroads,” said Association of American Railroads (AAR) President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger.
The poll showed that 63 percent of those surveyed believe that a greater portion of freight should move by rail, a higher total than was reported for any other mode.
“The public knows that moving more freight by rail will be good for the environment, will help the economy continue to expand and will reduce highway congestion,” Hamberger said, adding that one train can carry the load of 500 trucks.
“Today’s transportation infrastructure is already under stress,” he said, “and all modes of transportation will have to grow to meet the needs of an expanding economy.”
Hamberger pointed out that railroads face a particular challenge when it comes to increasing capacity. He pointed to a recent Congressional Budget Office report that said, “The railroad industry faces higher costs or other obstacles that competing industries — truckers and water carriers — do not face. Railroads provide their own infrastructure, whereas their competitors do not.”
Because of this, Hamberger added, “It is imperative that the nation adopt transportation policies that will encourage more investment in rail infrastructure.”
The Harris Poll showed that while 63 percent of adults would like to see rail have an increasing share of freight transportation, 35 percent favored moving more by air and 24 percent favored more moving by truck. Other options offered respondents were coastal shipping, favored by 17 percent; pipelines, 13 percent; and inland waterway, 8 percent. Because respondents could choose more than one mode, the totals add up to more than 100 percent.
Commuter and long-distance trains top the list of nine modes of transportation that adults would like to see “have an increasing share of passenger transportation,” with 44 percent selecting commuter trains and 35 percent selecting long-distance trains. Other options included local bus service, 23 percent; airlines, 23 percent; local travel by car, 11 percent; travel by bicycle, 11 percent; long-distance travel by car, 10 percent; pedestrian travel, 8 percent and long distance bus service, 6 percent.
The poll was conducted online within the United States between December 8 and 14, 2005 among 1,961 adults.