U.S. GRAIN TRANSPORTATION NETWORK NEEDS SYSTEM PERSPECTIVE TO MEET FUTURE WORLD NEEDS

Grain transportation in the United States is a complex, interrelated activity that is essential to the farmer's ability to produce and export grain. The major components of the grain transportation system are railroads, waterways, roads, and ports. These elements tend to be viewed separately rather than as an integrated system in which developments in one area affect all others. Transportation is the lifeblood of commerce, but a number of problems threaten the ability of the grain transportation system to meet future demand. Bottlenecks that impede movement of $16 billion in grain exports and increase costs now can create even greater constraints in the future, hinder farm productivity growth, and threaten our balance of payments. GAO has reviewed problems in grain transportation and is recommending that the Department of Agriculture bring together Government, industry, and labor representatives to develop solutions to these transportation problems.

Media Info

  • Features: Appendices; Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: 87 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00341924
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: CED-81-59
  • Files: TRIS
  • Created Date: Oct 28 1981 12:00AM