The National Academies Press

Currently Skimming:

Pages 1-2

The Chapter Skim interface presents what we've algorithmically identified as the most significant single chunk of text within every page in the chapter.
Select key terms on the right to highlight them within pages of the chapter.

From page 1... ... 4 The National Cooperative Rail Research Program funded this project to develop an inventory of federal and state passenger and freight rail funding programs. This research effort was comprised of six tasks which included: rail funding trends and objectives, a program taxonomy, an inventory of federal and state programs, and case studies to highlight rail funding innovation in practice. What is a program? The word "program" is widely used and can have several meanings depending upon the context of the discussion. For this rail funding inventory the following definition was used to determine which programs should be included. A program is the means to implement a plan; it is strategic in nature and meant to create change in business activities. Outcomes can be social or environmental in nature. A program has a funding source, budget, defined eligibility criteria, a clear definition of success, and a stated process to meet specific business objectives. It cannot exist without resources. A program is administrative in nature and provides a performance management structure to implement a plan. Projects are planned and scheduled outcomes to meet the stated objectives of a program. A program is not a plan and is not a one‐time legislative appropriation to fund a project. Some states have rail funding programs; some states have broader funding programs for which rail is eligible. Programs vary widely between passenger and freight applications. Federal and state programs differ in terms of funding scale and expected benefits. Outreach and Public Involvement Three public outreach efforts were undertaken to gain insights from federal and state agencies, and freight and passenger rail service providers. The first event was hosted at the 2013 American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Read the entire page →
From page 2... ... 5 In June and July of 2014, the project team sent out an electronic survey to more than 500 AASHTO, TRB, federal, state, passenger, freight, university research institutes and railroad suppliers to identify rail program objectives and practical applications. The American Short Line and Regional Rail Association also distributed a link to the electronic survey in their July 2014 newsletter to increase survey participation. Select Class 1 and regional/short line railroads, along with supplemental investment community interviews, were completed to provide background information and industry insights concerning rail funding program innovation and project development. A validation session highlighting the survey findings was held at the TRB AR040 Summer Rail program in August 2014. Twenty‐five TRB committee members, students, and program attendees participated in a discussion of how to develop effective rail funding programs. Read the entire page →

From page 1...

... 4 The National Cooperative Rail Research Program funded this project to develop an inventory of federal and state passenger and freight rail funding programs. This research effort was comprised of six tasks which included: rail funding trends and objectives, a program taxonomy, an inventory of federal and state programs, and case studies to highlight rail funding innovation in practice. What is a program? The word "program" is widely used and can have several meanings depending upon the context of the discussion. For this rail funding inventory the following definition was used to determine which programs should be included. A program is the means to implement a plan; it is strategic in nature and meant to create change in business activities. Outcomes can be social or environmental in nature. A program has a funding source, budget, defined eligibility criteria, a clear definition of success, and a stated process to meet specific business objectives. It cannot exist without resources. A program is administrative in nature and provides a performance management structure to implement a plan. Projects are planned and scheduled outcomes to meet the stated objectives of a program. A program is not a plan and is not a one‐time legislative appropriation to fund a project. Some states have rail funding programs; some states have broader funding programs for which rail is eligible. Programs vary widely between passenger and freight applications. Federal and state programs differ in terms of funding scale and expected benefits. Outreach and Public Involvement Three public outreach efforts were undertaken to gain insights from federal and state agencies, and freight and passenger rail service providers. The first event was hosted at the 2013 American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

Read the entire page →

From page 2...

... 5 In June and July of 2014, the project team sent out an electronic survey to more than 500 AASHTO, TRB, federal, state, passenger, freight, university research institutes and railroad suppliers to identify rail program objectives and practical applications. The American Short Line and Regional Rail Association also distributed a link to the electronic survey in their July 2014 newsletter to increase survey participation. Select Class 1 and regional/short line railroads, along with supplemental investment community interviews, were completed to provide background information and industry insights concerning rail funding program innovation and project development. A validation session highlighting the survey findings was held at the TRB AR040 Summer Rail program in August 2014. Twenty‐five TRB committee members, students, and program attendees participated in a discussion of how to develop effective rail funding programs.

Read the entire page →

Key Terms

Next Chapter Skim →

This material may be derived from roughly machine-read images, and so is provided only to facilitate research.
More information on Chapter Skim is available.