Open Policy Issues

Rail Transportation Policy Questions VRPI Hopes to Address,

Relative to State and Federal Transportation Planning, Funding and Development:

 

  1. In what transportation applications does rail possess an inherent advantage, all things being equal?

  2. From a competitive standpoint, if things are not found to be equal, what are such  factors, and what would it take to equalize?

  3. In light of the foregoing, what transportation service roles and responsibilities should be assigned to rail, and what results might be expected as a consequence?

  4. How might the inevitable conflict between the private-sector profit motive be reconciled, if possible, with the public-sector need for transportation service, and in fairness to both?

  5. What infrastructure ownership and maintenance models best serve public needs, and the public interest?

  6. Where and how should publicly-sponsored and publicly-funded rail service network infrastructure and operations oversight responsibilities be located within State government, or elsewhere, for best economic and service quality results?

  7. How best to pay for publicly-required intercity rail transportation infrastructure and services, within the broader context of the inevitable future requirement for a comprehensive overhaul, and restructuring, of the present system of public revenue sources for highways, transit, aviation and ports?




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