Freight railroads account for over 40 percent (by weight) of the
nation's freight on a privately owned network that was largely built
almost 100 years ago and includes over 76,000 railroad bridges and over
800 tunnels.
But getting info on this topic is difficult because the railroads want to keep it a secret.nation's freight on a privately owned network that was largely built
almost 100 years ago and includes over 76,000 railroad bridges and over
800 tunnels.
Little information is publicly available on the condition of railroad
bridges and tunnels and on their contribution to congestion because the
railroads consider this information proprietary and share it with the
federal government selectively. Major (Class I) railroads maintain
detailed repair and inspection information, while other (Class II and
III) railroads vary, from keeping detailed records, to lacking basic
condition information. Despite their age, bridges and tunnels are not
the main cause of congestion, although some do constrain capacity.
Because bridge and tunnel work is costly, railroads typically make
other investments to improve mobility first.
Not very comforting is it? But not to worry -- our government has the greatest confidence in the railroads' commitment to their infrastructure:bridges and tunnels and on their contribution to congestion because the
railroads consider this information proprietary and share it with the
federal government selectively. Major (Class I) railroads maintain
detailed repair and inspection information, while other (Class II and
III) railroads vary, from keeping detailed records, to lacking basic
condition information. Despite their age, bridges and tunnels are not
the main cause of congestion, although some do constrain capacity.
Because bridge and tunnel work is costly, railroads typically make
other investments to improve mobility first.
The federal role in overseeing the safety of railroad bridges and
tunnels is limited because FRA has determined that most railroads are
sufficiently ensuring safe conditions. FRA has issued bridge management
guidelines, makes structural observations, and may take enforcement
actions to address structural problems. However, FRA bridge specialists
use their own, not a systematic, consistent, risk-based, methodology to
select smaller railroads for safety surveys and therefore may not
target the greatest safety threats.
tunnels is limited because FRA has determined that most railroads are
sufficiently ensuring safe conditions. FRA has issued bridge management
guidelines, makes structural observations, and may take enforcement
actions to address structural problems. However, FRA bridge specialists
use their own, not a systematic, consistent, risk-based, methodology to
select smaller railroads for safety surveys and therefore may not
target the greatest safety threats.
