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Association of American Railroads

  • Login
  • Publications
  • Join AAR
  • Data Center
  • News & Events
  • Blog

Association of American Railroads

  • Railroad 101
    • Facts & Figures
    • Fact Sheets
    • Railroad Chronology
    • Carbon Calculator
    • Resources
  • Impact
    • Investments
    • Environment
    • Supply Chain
    • States
    • Railroad Jobs
    • Military
    • CREATE
    • Amtrak
  • Policy
    • Economic Regulation
      • STB Reauthorization
      • Forced Switching
      • Final Offer Rate Review
      • Competition
      • Staggers Act
    • Operational Regulation
      • Crew Size
      • Automated Track Inspection
      • Highly Automated Vehicles
      • Performance Based Regulations
      • Hazmat & Tank Cars
      • Mexican Crew Interchange
    • Collective Bargaining
    • Time Off Policies
    • Cybersecurity
    • Climate Change
    • Trade
    • Infrastructure
      • Highway Trust Fund
      • Truck Size & Weight
      • Section 130
      • Environmental Permitting
      • Passenger Rail
      • Right of Way Access
  • Safety
    • Safety Record
    • Employees
    • Inspections
    • Infrastructure
    • Security
    • Train Length
    • Understanding Derailments
    • Hazmat
      • AskRail
      • Obligation to Move Hazmat
      • First Responders
      • Community Planning & Remediation
    • Pedestrians & Drivers
      • Blocked Crossings
    • Climate Resiliency
      • Heat
      • Flooding
      • Winter
  • Technology
    • Emissions Reduction
    • Workforce
    • Positive Train Control
    • Research & Development
  • Industries We Support
    • Intermodal
    • Chemicals
    • Food & Agriculture
    • Automotives
    • Construction & Pulp/Paper
    • Energy: Crude Oil, Ethanol & Coal
Always moving for all of us.
Freight Rail & The Staggers Act of 1980: The Turning Point for Railroads

The Staggers Act Turns 43

The Staggers Act Turns 43

The Staggers Rail Act of 1980, signed on October 14, led the way to today’s economic regulatory framework, which has allowed private railroads to make the investments needed to remain one of the world’s safest and most efficient freight rail system.

Fields to Markets: Freight Rail’s Deep Roots in Agriculture

Fields to Markets: Rail's Deep Roots in Ag

AAR’s Policy & Economics AVP, Luisa Fernandez-Willey details rail’s pivotal role in connecting grain producers with consumers across the world.

Freight Rail: Miles Ahead on Sustainability

Freight Rail: Moving Miles Ahead on Sustainability

Did you know freight rail is the most fuel-efficient way to move freight over land? From forward-thinking engineering to smart locomotives, railroads are committed to mitigating climate change.

The Signal: Your quick stop for freight rail news

Subscribe to the Signal Newsletter now and stay connected.

New to Freight Rail? Start Here.

America’s freight rail industry is one of the most cost-effective and efficient transportation networks in the world. Take a deep dive into our Railroad 101 to learn about the basics of freight rail — from the billions of dollars railroads invest annually to the technology that helps improve safety and service.

Get Started

AAR News

  • Oct. 11
    Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending October 7, 2023
    Washington, D.C.
  • Oct. 4
    Weekly Rail Traffic for September and the Week Ending September 30, 2023
    Washington, D.C.
  • Sep. 27
    Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending September 23, 2023
    Washington, D.C.
  • Sep. 20
    Weekly Rail Traffic for the Week Ending September 16, 2023
    Washington, D.C.
See All In News

Association of American Railroads

America’s freight railroads operate the safest, most efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally sound freight transportation system in the world — and the Association of American Railroads (AAR) is committed to keeping it that way. Founded in 1934, AAR is the world’s leading railroad policy, research, standard setting, and technology organization that focuses on the safety and productivity of the U.S. freight rail industry. AAR Full members include the major freight railroads in the United States, Canada and Mexico, as well as Amtrak. Affiliates and Associates  include non-Class I and commuter railroads, rail supply companies, engineering firms, signal and communications firms, and rail car owners.

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The Signal: Your quick stop for freight rail news

Get freight rail industry news right to your inbox, from important policy updates to fun facts about America’s private, nearly 140,000-mile network.

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