THERE IS NO SHORTAGE OF FREIGHT CARS--RAILROADS MUST MAKE BETTER USE OF WHAT THEY HAVE
Railroads cannot satisfy the demand for freight cars because they do not use the existing car fleet efficiently. Enough cars are available, but they are not in the right place at the right time. Federal agencies can do little to substantially improve utilization. Federally financed research does point the way to improve car utilization techniques, but only railroad managers can make the operating improvements which will largely eliminate the illusive freight car shortage. To supplement improved utilization, railroads could use greater pricing freedom to defer peak demand for cars. The recently approved rail deregulation act permits greater pricing freedom but it is too early to evaluate this legislation's effects.
- Record URL:
-
Corporate Authors:
U.S. General Accounting Office
441 G Street, NW
Washington, DC United States 20548 - Publication Date: 1980-11-10
Media Info
- Features: Appendices;
- Pagination: 83 p.
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Car distribution (Railroads); Car service rules; Car shortages (Railroads); Car utilization (Railroads); Deregulation; Peak periods; Pricing; Regulations
- Identifier Terms: U.S. Interstate Commerce Commission
- Old TRIS Terms: Car shortage; Empty cars; Government regulations; Operating strategies; Peak capacities
- Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Law; Railroads;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 00324488
- Record Type: Publication
- Report/Paper Numbers: CED-81-2
- Files: TRIS
- Created Date: Feb 18 1981 12:00AM