Trains, Trains, Trains

While perusing the blogs today, I learned an interesting fact. 40% of all US freight rail traffic goes through the Chicago region.

US rail network facing congestion 'calamity' - Associated Press (5/29/08)

To summarize, freight traffic is overwhelming the US rail network resulting in huge backlogs. A single stopped train in Chicago can cause ripple effects all the way to Los Angeles. This will increasing cause problems as freight traffic increases. Commuter trains in Chicago share tracks with freight, and we're constantly being delayed due to freight train interference.

Obviously large amounts of money will need to be spent to increase rail capacity. One big problem is that many of these lines go through the downtown areas of many wealthy suburbs which will fight hard to keep out the increased train traffic. However, given the ever escalating cost of fuel, it seems inevitable that our society will shift away from automobile transportation and towards the much more fuel efficient rail network, both for transportation of people and goods. The tricky task will be balancing the interests of local communities which will see the extra trains versus the needs of the greater society.