Freight Railroads:
Highlights of GAO Report on Freight Rail Industry Performance, Competition, and Capacity
GAO-07-207R: Published: Nov 8, 2006. Publicly Released: Nov 8, 2006.
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Over 25 years ago, Congress transformed federal freight rail transportation policy. At that time, after almost 100 years of economic regulation, the railroad industry was in serious economic decline, with rising costs, losses, and bankruptcies. In response, Congress passed the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 and the Staggers Rail Act of 1980. Together, these pieces of legislation substantially deregulated the railroad industry. Since the passage of the Staggers Rail Act in 1980, we have issued several reports on the freight railroad industry. In October 2006, we issued our most recent report on the freight rail industry. The objectives of this report were to determine (1) the changes that have occurred in the freight railroad industry since the enactment of the Staggers Rail Act, including changes in rail rates and competition in the industry; (2) the actions STB has taken to address concerns about competition and captivity and any alternative approaches that could be considered to address remaining concerns; and (3) the projections for freight traffic demand over the next 15 to 25 years, the freight railroad industry's ability to meet that demand, and potential federal policy responses.
Among other things, this report describes the significant changes that have taken place in the railroad industry and reports that from 1985 through 2004, rates generally decreased, but nominal grain rates increased 9 percent. We also found that, on some routes, the amount of grain traveling at rates significantly above the threshold for rate relief had increased since 1985.
May 31, 2018
Capital Investment Grants Program:
FTA Should Address Several Statutory ProvisionsGAO-18-462: Published: May 31, 2018. Publicly Released: May 31, 2018.
May 29, 2018
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Interstate Pipeline Inspections:
Additional Planning Could Help DOT Determine Appropriate Level of State ParticipationGAO-18-461: Published: May 29, 2018. Publicly Released: May 29, 2018.
May 24, 2018
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Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems:
FAA Should Improve Its Management of Safety RisksGAO-18-110: Published: May 24, 2018. Publicly Released: May 24, 2018.
Apr 9, 2018
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Rail Transit:
Federal Transit Administration Can Strengthen Safety Oversight by Improving Guidance to StatesGAO-18-310: Published: Mar 20, 2018. Publicly Released: Apr 9, 2018.
Feb 28, 2018
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Positive Train Control:
Many Commuter Railroads Still Have Significant Additional Implementation Work and Opportunities Exist to Provide Federal AssistanceGAO-18-367T: Published: Mar 1, 2018. Publicly Released: Feb 28, 2018.
Jan 30, 2018
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Highway and Transit Projects:
Evaluation Guidance Needed for States with National Environmental Policy Act AuthorityGAO-18-222: Published: Jan 30, 2018. Publicly Released: Jan 30, 2018.
Jan 16, 2018
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Commercial Space Launch Insurance:
FAA Needs to Fully Address Mandated RequirementsGAO-18-57: Published: Jan 16, 2018. Publicly Released: Jan 16, 2018.
Dec 21, 2017
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Transportation Security Administration:
After Oversight Lapses, Compliance with Policy Governing Special Authority Has Been StrengthenedGAO-18-172: Published: Dec 21, 2017. Publicly Released: Dec 21, 2017.
Dec 14, 2017
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Transportation Security Administration:
Surface Transportation Inspector Activities Should Align More Closely With Identified RisksGAO-18-180: Published: Dec 14, 2017. Publicly Released: Dec 14, 2017.
Dec 4, 2017
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Auto Recalls:
NHTSA Should Take Steps to Further Improve the Usability of Its WebsiteGAO-18-127: Published: Dec 4, 2017. Publicly Released: Dec 4, 2017.
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