“Our nation's freight-rail system will be relied upon to handle significant increases in traffic in the years ahead,” notes Charles D. Nottingham, STB chairman. “This hearing should shed light on whether current plans and investments are adequate to meet rail capacity demands, and, if not, what new policies and strategies need to be implemented.”
Specific topics STB expects to cover include “the extent of capacity constraints and the ability of railroads to meet rising demand; the infrastructure investment needed to ensure that the nation's freight-rail system continues to operate in an efficient and reliable manner; possible solutions to the challenges presented by growing rail traffic and limited capacity; and the potential role of public-private partnerships and innovative financing tools in meeting these challenges.”
