Though a shift to moving freight by rail is gaining steam, one analyst says that too much of a shift would actually expend more energy, rather than conserve it. A report from research firm FTR Associates urges an examination of the entire transportation system, utilizing rail to help reduce emissions and holding it to stricter emissions standards, and allowing trucks to do what they do best. One of the ways this would be best achieved is through construction of more truck/rail interchange terminals, according to the study.

NASHVILLE, Ind. — A new study questions the oft-cited notion that shifting freight to rail through government incentives will actually result in a ‘greener’ transport system.

FTR Associates’ Noël Perry, who authors a report titled Transportation Fundamentals, agrees that rail line haul is far more fuel efficient than truck per load, but maintains that this is just part of the energy equation and rail should face similar emission rules that the trucking does.

He suggests that reductions in greenhouse gas emissions can be achieved through improved access to intermodal terminals, equalization of rail and truck standards for production of potent NOx exhaust and modifying existing truck size and weight regulations to put more freight on the road per tractor-trailer unit.

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