The collaborative research initiative between NC State University and Railinc is exploring how even modest shifts in freight volume from trucks to trains can yield significant cost savings, environmental benefits, and infrastructure planning insights.
The goal of the study is to identify opportunities to shift long-haul shipments from truck to rail, reducing highway congestion, shipping costs, and environmental emissions.
"The rail industry has made tremendous progress improving freight efficiency over the years," said Allen West, CEO of Railinc, a resource for rail data, IT, and information services for the railroad industry. "This kind of analysis can build on that foundation, informing current trucking shippers of the benefits of rail."
NC State professor Dr. George List said early assessments already point to significant gains.
"A 2% shift from truck to rail could meaningfully increase intermodal rail tonnage and help justify infrastructure investments," he said. "We can pinpoint where that shift is feasible and cost-effective."
The study builds on NC State's recent work (NCDOT Research Project 2023-09) analyzing the modal demands of supply chain businesses across sectors, which laid the groundwork for a more comprehensive national analysis. This research will support collaborative efforts for emissions reduction and transportation efficiency while advancing the rail industry's commitment to safety and sustainability.
"By combining Railinc's capabilities with the analytical capabilities of NC State, we can deliver insights that help industry leaders and policymakers make smarter, faster, and more confident decisions," said Dr. Daniel J. Findley, PE, Associate Director at NC State's Institute for Transportation Research and Education. "Rail is often an overlooked option in freight, yet it can offer advantages in cost, capacity, and sustainability compared to other modes. This research helps identify where rebalancing is not only possible but practical—creating pathways for more resilient supply chains and stronger communities."
The freight landscape is already teetering on the brink of a generational overhaul. Union Pacific Corporation and Norfolk Southern Corporation in July announced an agreement to create America’s first transcontinental railroad – an $85 billion deal that connects more than 50,000 route miles across 43 states from the East Coast to the West Coast, linking approximately 100 ports and nearly every corner of North America. The deal still must be approved by the Surface Transportation Board.
That deal has the backing of Knight-Swift Transportation (CCJ Top 250, No. 4) and C.R. England (No. 32).
