Backgrounders

Below are deep-dive PDFs written by AAR’s Policy & Economics experts.

101 & Impact

• Freight Rail 101
• Economic Impact
• Environmental Benefits / Greenhouse Gas Emissions
• A Short History of American Freight Railroads  / Chronology

Policy

• Capacity & Investment
• The Need For Balanced Railroad Regulations
• The Staggers Act of 1980 Backgrounder
• Cost-Effectiveness of Freight Railroads
• Differential Pricing
• International Trade
• Performance Based Regulations
• Public-Private Partnerships
• Truck Size & Weight

Safety

• Moving America Safely
• Railroad Security
• Railroad Cybersecurity
• Highway-Grade Crossing
• High-Tech Advances

Industries We Support

• Grain
• Coal
• Crude Oil Traffic
• Chemicals
• Intermodal

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Fact Sheets

Looking for quick takeaways instead of full deep-dives? Below are PDFs that give high-level information on many of the same topics as above.

COVID-19

• Employee Safety
• Moving Critical Goods
• Priorities for Future Stimulus Packages

101 & Impact.

• Freight Rail Fast Facts
• Economic Impact
• Consumer Impact
• Freight Rail Jobs
• Collective Bargaining
• Amtrak
• Environmental Benefits

Policy

• Economic Regulation 101
  • Revenue Adequacy
  • STB Activity
• Operational Regulation
  • Mexican Crew Interchange
  • Crew Size & Supplemental Facts
  • Yardmaster Protection Act
• FAST Act Reauthorization Priorities
• Infrastructure Policies
  • Broadband
• Truck Size & Weight
• USMCA & International Trade

Safety & Technology

• Safety Record
• Hazmat Safety
• Preparedness & Response
  • Winter Weather
• Pedestrian & Driver Safety
• Infrastructure & Equipment Safety
• Positive Train Control (PTC)
• Safety Technology / Service Technology

Industries Freight Rail Supports

• Agriculture
• Automotives
• Energy
• Chemicals
• Construction
• Intermodal