AAR Lauds FRA Study on Major Fuel Efficiency Advantage for Railroads
20 Nov 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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Holly Arthur 202-639-2100
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AAR Lauds FRA Study on Major Fuel Efficiency Advantage for Railroads
Study Shows Freight Rail Up to Eight Times More Efficient than Trucks
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Nov. 20, 2009 – The Association of American Railroads today commended the Federal Railroad Administration for its report showing that significant fuel savings can be achieved shipping freight by rail instead of by truck.
The report, titled “A Comparative Evaluation of Rail and Truck Fuel Efficiency on Competitive Corridors,” examined 23 representative freight movements, covering different distances and commodities that could easily move by both truck and rail. For each movement, fuel consumption for both modes was estimated. The study found that railroads are up to 8.5 times more fuel efficient than trucks, depending on the commodity carried and distance traveled.
“Railroads are continuously improving fuel efficiency – through new technologies, locomotive improvements, enhanced employee training and other initiatives,” said AAR President and CEO Edward R. Hamberger. “The environmental benefits of freight rail – such as our ability to take trucks off the road and lower greenhouse gas emissions – are made possible by our fuel efficiency.”
The FRA study attributes the fuel efficiency gains to more efficient locomotives, changes in traffic mix and improvements to operating efficiency. The FRA’s full report is available at: http://www.fra.dot.gov/Downloads/Comparative_Evaluation_Rail_Truck_Fuel_Efficiency.pdf
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Editors’ Note: The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is the world's leading railroad policy, research and technology organization focusing on the safety and productivity of rail carriers. AAR members include the major freight railroads, or Class I railroads, of the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Class I railroads represent 67 percent of the U.S. freight rail mileage and 90 percent of freight railroad industry employees. Railroads account for 43 percent of intercity freight volume — more than any other mode of transportation. To learn more about how freight rail works for America, the environment and for you, please visit: www.freightrailworks.org.