Infrastructure week: America counts on freight rail

Posted on May 16, 2017 in Nuts & Bolts

With Infrastructure Week underway, millions of Americans are learning about the challenges that a failing infrastructure poses to the nation’s economy. However, one industry stands above because of its ability to privately invest in maintaining their network – freight rail. For the men and women of America’s railroads, every week is Infrastructure Week.

11 numbers to know about freight rail:

$60 million – How many dollars per day freight railroads invest in their infrastructure.
8 – The number of times rail in the U.S. network could circle the earth.
$274 billion – Freight rail’s economic impact in 2014.
54 – The number of tons of freight moved for every American each year.
$1 – Invested by the railroads generates $10 in economic activity.
69,000 – Tons of new rail laid in 2015.
43 – Percent decrease in accidents and derailments since 2000.
$100 million – Amount invested each month to develop, test, and install Positive Train Control (PTC)
14.6 million – Number of crossties installed in 2013
$121,000 – Average rail employee compensation, including benefits.
6 – Freight railroads invest six times the average manufacturer.