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Chair -- Secretary Gene Conti, North Carolina Department of Transportation
Vice Chair -- Vacant
Secretary -- Leo Penne, AASHTO

WELCOME to the Standing Committee on Rail Transportation


The Standing Committee on Rail Transportation shall: review, evaluate, and recommend transportation legislation; exchange technical information and policy positions on railroad matters; evaluate, comment upon, and suggest revision to Federal regulations; reach a common viewpoint of the States on rail policies and problems; gather information and investigate railroad concerns; provide technical expertise and management training for State railroad connected agencies; provide public information on rail transportation matters; cooperate and coordinate activities with transportation users and the railroad industry; take a forward-looking view of and disseminate rail progress; and encourage research necessary to reach these goals.

Federal Railroad Administration – SCORT Conference Call – AUDIO

The Federal Railroad Administration on June 17th, 2009 held a conference call with the Standing Committee on Rail Transportation (SCORT). SCORT is chaired by Secretary Gene Conti of the North Carolina Department of Transportation.

Latest News from the
AASHTO Journal

FRA recently hosted several regional Outreach Workshops to garner public comments on its plans for distributing the $8 billion for passenger rail services appropriated in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.  Presentations from these workshops is now available online at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2241.

Intercity Passenger Rail

The Federal Railroad Administration began laying the groundwork for distributing $8 billion in economic recovery grants for intercity passenger rail with a series of stakeholder meetings across the country that began this week. Meanwhile, state transportation departments have outlined an action plan for delivering a robust intercity passenger rail network for the country. View the full story in the May 22 AASHTO Journal.

State Initiatives

State Rail Agencies throughout the U.S.
STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE, FUNDING

The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation conducted a survey compiling input from other states as to how public rail programs at the state level are structured, the governance of that structure and the funding conduits of which rail related programs and projects are funded. Including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, 52 surveys were sent with 41 responses received by the close of the comment period.

Read full report here: The Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation- Survey Findings (PDF)  |  To read more State Initiatives

 

Reports and Studies

AAR Sponsorship of AASHTO’s Freight Rail
Executive Summary report

This Executive summary report is offered as a framework for decision-making for those in both the public and private sectors who are responsible for making investments in transportation infrastructure. We are delighted that AAR sponsorship of this report will make the substance of the report available to a much wider audience and we are confident that it will advance the discussion about how to maintain and strengthen the nation’s freight transportation system. The original full report was wholly the responsibility of AASHTO. This printing of the executive summary was made possible by the sponsorship of the AAR.

To read more: AASHTO and ARR Executive Summary  |  More Reports »

 

News

NEW! The Federal Railroad Administration has posted the Pre-Application Form for ARRA High Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail funding to its website. This form and the Interim Guidance can be accessed via http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2243.

S. 294 – Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2007

Introduced by Senator Lautenberg (D-NJ) and former Senator Lott (R-MS), S. 294 passed the United States Senate on October 30, 2007.  The legislation focuses on reform, accountability, adequate funding for intercity passenger rail and passenger rail service improvements.  For fiscal year 2007, a record 25.8 million passengers rode Amtrak.  With the increased congestion on our nation’s highways and at our airports, reforming and funding for intercity passenger rail is critical.

More NEWS »