Off the Rails: How America Can Revitalize Its Railroads | Article

The story of railroads and other forms of public transportation in the United States is that of an astronomical rise followed by a woeful stagnation. Prior to 1950, the United States had a higher per-capita rate of public transportation use than Germany. In 2010, however, Germany’s per-capita use of public transportation amounted to seven times that of the United States. Even in major urban areas like New York City, annual subway ridership has remained roughly the same since 1946, despite an explosive increase in population. Conversely, nations like Japan, Switzerland, and China have highly-developed public transportation systems and railway infrastructure that allow for rapid economic and social development. What happened to the railway system in the United States, and how can the nation get back on the right track?

A Quick Snapshot of Rail in the United States

Prior to the rise of the automobile, the United States had built one of the most advanced public transportation systems in the world. Railroads linked the country together, transforming the way Americans in the 19th century talked about the nation—from a plural “these United States” to a singular “this United States.” The government invested in massive infrastructure growth while the country enjoyed an economic boom. However, as suburbs sprang up around the country and the cost of the automobile declined, rail and bus lines were underfunded and fell into a vicious cycle of being outcompeted by cars: fewer passengers led to cuts in service to save money, which pushed more riders away. Now, 45 percent of Americans have no access to public transportation, and passenger rail is backlogged with an estimated $45.2 billion dollars of repair work needed to return its infrastructure to a good condition.

Automobiles are now the primary transportation method for most people in the United States—however, they are far less sustainable than rail. A typical passenger vehicle emits 404 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per mile, while national rail emits 66 grams of CO2 per mile. It is clear that sustainable transportation is essential for a decarbonized nation, and robust railways will be critical to reviving the public transportation system. When considering public transit investments, advocates urge the consideration of environmental justice, such as making rail cost-accessible and ensuring communities of color are not disproportionately impacted by rail construction. More public transit lines also lead to a decrease in air pollution from highways, which has been a primary environmental justice concern for decades.

Currently, American rail is dominated by freight transport, with nearly 140,000 miles devoted to freight rail. While more passenger rail is needed to create a more robust public transit system, freight rail must also be improved for a sustainable transportation future. Increasing fuel efficiency, electrifying trains, and leveraging automation are only a handful of ways that freight rail can become more sustainable. Battery-electric and hydrogen-powered trains are also long-term, zero-emission locomotive solutions, with the former hitting tracks across the country. Electric locomotives are already in widespread use for passenger trains.

Light rail, heavy rail, and high-speed rail are all rail systems designed for public transit. Light rail (such as streetcars and trolleys) generally provides regional transport in suburban areas between business districts and runs on electricity, immediately decreasing carbon emissions. Heavy rail (such as subways and metros) operates most efficiently in dense urban areas. High-speed rail, like Amtrak’s Acela line in the Northeast corridor, operates at speeds over 125 miles per hour, with some trains running at 220 miles per hour. These rail lines connect transit centers over large distances and run on dedicated tracks, reducing delays. All forms of passenger rail are needed in a thriving public transit system, and all can be improved to provide efficient and sustainable transportation.

The United States has a long way to go until its rail infrastructure rivals that of Asian and European countries. The previously mentioned Acela high-speed rail line, running between Washington, D.C., and Boston, Massachusetts, was built on existing rail lines dating from the mid-19th century, which limits its speed. Meanwhile, countries like China have been investing heavily in modern rail infrastructure and are now reaping the rewards. Chinese high-speed rail serves 98 percent of major urban areas, and the nation’s 23,550 miles of high-speed rail is long enough to connect New York and Los Angeles at least eight times.

The Future of U.S. Rail

Not all hope is lost. The number of passenger rail systems in the United States jumped from 58 in 1999 to 98 in 2019, and transit ridership increased over 52 percent. Although many rail projects have been delayed because of funding issues and the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 heralds the opening of dozens of public transit expansion projects across the country, from a rail line in Honolulu to light-rail subways in San Francisco, along with new bus lines and streetcars.

And more is yet to come. Over the next five years, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) (P.L.117-58) will invest $108 billion for public transit and $102 billion for rail, representing the largest rail investment since Amtrak’s creation. The American Public Transportation Association breaks down the IIJA as it relates to public transportation, providing funding apportionment tables and analyses of the law’s impact on passenger rail and public transit.

Through this phase of new construction, experts emphasize the importance of keeping rail and other public transit systems affordable. As a consequence of having underfunded public transit agencies, the cost of building rapid rail transit in the United States is significantly more expensive than in most other countries. Some of these costs can be alleviated through gathering more data about construction projects and streamlining permitting processes. While the sticker price of rail projects may seem large, investing in rail will create jobs, increase economic activity, improve mobility, and reduce the United States’ reliance on foreign oil.

The dismal state of modern American rail is not set in stone. Previously, the United States had thriving railroads that facilitated economic growth and connection. Recent investments in public transportation will begin to catalyze the revival of U.S. infrastructure, and building on that momentum will allow for sustainable and accessible modes of transportation for all Americans.

Author: Nathan Lee