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<b>RE-SEED: Rail Enabled Sustainable Environment and Economic Development</b></br>
<div id="test">__FORCETOC__


<h1>RE-SEED is an economic vitality plan for enhancing the sustainability and productivity of our industrial systems by expanding freight rail service. The need and opportunity for railroad development to address environmental challenges and transportation efficiency has never been greater. However, we need more from railroads than they can do themselves. Fortunately, railroads do not need a government bailout; they outperform many other industries. That stability, combined with rail technology’s inherent energy, space, and capital efficiency, will deliver a high return on investment by working together on a comprehensive expansion of the rail transportation system. </h1></br>
==== What is VitalRail? ====
VitalRail brings together a diverse group of [[VitalRail Stakeholders|stakeholders]] who see unprecedented opportunities to boost efficiency in freight and rail transportation. We view rail infrastructure as the backbone of revitalizing North America’s essential industrial systems. Through continual dialogue among VitalRail’s organizing and facilitation teams and professional stakeholders, we identify breakthroughs, make them actionable and tackle industry challenges head-on.  


<h1>RE-SEED mobilizes twelve “Interdependent Stakeholder Groups”: Executives, Investors, Employees, Citizens, Customers, Suppliers, Economic Developers, Transportation Planners, Land Developers, Researchers, Other Transportation Modes, and Elected Leaders.</h1></br>
==== VitalRail Organizing Work ====
This is the place where CAPSI Organizers and Facilitators work with VitalRail Stakeholders to bring forth major sustainable economic and environmental improvements in the North American freight industry.


<h1>OnTrackNorthAmerica has identified an initial set of essential dialogues for expanding North America’s freight rail service. These dialogues are called IntelliConferences.  </h1></br>
==== How the Organizing Work Gets Done ====
We start with core dialogues on the subject of North America’s freight service. Dialogues are goal directed. They have been conceived by [[BrainTrust|Leaders and Stakeholders]].  Using our [[IntelliConferences and IntelliSynthesis|IntelliConference and IntelliSynthesis]] events and methods, the dialogues will develop as we all delve deeper into the challenges of the frieght and rail industry of North America


<h2>Rail Growth Capitalization</h2></br>
* '''[[Private:Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger IntelliConference Mock-up|Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger]]              Our first IntelliConference'''
* [[VitalRail/Rail Growth Capitalization IntelliConference|Rail Growth Capitalization]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Regulatory Excellence IntelliConference|Rail Regulatory Excellence]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Business Culture Transformation IntelliConference|Rail Business Culture]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Management – Rail Labor IntelliConference|Rail Management – Rail Labor]]
* [[VitalRail/Containerized International Freight IntelliConference|Containerized International Freight]]
* [[VitalRail/Revitalizing the Rail Carload System IntelliConference|Rail Carload System Revitalization]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Energy Efficiency IntelliConference|Rail Energy Efficiency]]
* [[VitalRail/Freight Transportation Land Use IntelliConference|Freight Transportation Land Use]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Technology Adoption IntelliConference|Rail Technology Adoption]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Trucking Coordination IntelliConference|Rail Trucking Coordination]]


<h2>Rail Business Culture Transformation</h2></br>
==== Your Time Commitment ====
To save you time, we use Action Buttons composed of  Summaries, Digests and a few other key orientation features to help you stay up-to-date and, if you desire, make contributions. Summaries are what you need to know. Digests are deeper analysis linked to source content generated in InteliConferences and IntelliSynthesis events. The '''Action Buttons''' are located at the top of each Dialogue Page.


<h2>Rail Management – Rail Labor</h2></br>
==== Join Us! ====
Go to [[Participation Options]] to enter this world of positive change collaboration. The OTNA staff and all our stakeholders look forward to meeting you.                                                                                                       
'''<big>[[Make a donation]]</big>'''


<h2>Rail Regulatory Excellence</h2></br>
==== Why is VitalRail Needed? ====
Though North America enjoys perhaps the world's most productive freight rail system in the World, the industry’s $115 billion annual revenue is in stark contrast with the freight trucking industry’s $1 trillion yearly revenue.


<h2>Rail Trucking Coordination</h2></br>
Railroads offer irreplaceable space, energy, and capital efficiencies. Increasing freight rail service will contribute cascading benefits to all stakeholders:


<h2>Containerized International Freight</h2></br>
* A one-mile-long train moves the same goods as a 27-mile convoy of trucks
* Its energy efficiency allows it to move that freight on one-quarter to one-half of the fuel required as well as the resulting emissions


<h2>Revitalizing the Rail Carload System</h2></br>
VitalRail serves at the heart of CAPSI as a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the productivity of our industrial systems by expanding freight rail service.


<h2>Rail Technology Adoption</h2></br>
There has never been a greater need or more opportunity for capitalizing railroad development to address transportation efficiency and environmental challenges. Rather than  emotional critiques and general calls for a so-called rail renaissance, VitalRail is informed by the real challenges and benefits of growing an industry as integral as railroads.


<h2>Rail Energy Efficiency</h2></br>
At the same time, we need more from railroad companies than they can accomplish on their own. Fortunately, railroads do not need a government bailout, and they outperform many other industries. That stability—combined with rail technology’s inherent efficiencies—delivers a high return on investment when the involved stakeholder groups work together.


<h2>Freight Transportation Land Use</h2></br>
==== VitalRail Stakeholders ====
Collaboration among stakeholders is fundamental to achieving the tremendous growth opportunity for:


<h1>Executives </h1></br>
* Railroads
* Rail-related companies
* The industries and communities they serve


<h2>Rail Business Culture Transformation IntelliConference</h2></br>
VitalRail engages 14 interdependent stakeholder groups:


<h2>The Class I rail industry’s historical and cultural dynamics have contributed to a decline in post-2006 market share and volume. Focusing on short-term profitability, cost-cutting, and an outdated corporate culture has negatively impacted customer success and satisfaction, employee morale, expertise retention, and innovation. There is a compelling opportunity to transform the railroad business culture to support a more vital contribution to supply chain efficiency and satisfaction, success, and safety for all stakeholders.</h2></br>
* Class I, II, and III railroads<!--Sometimes the 3 railroad classes are cited as Class I, II, and III, as in this instance, and sometimes they're cited as Class 1,2, and 3. Please choose a style and use it consistently throughout all publications (including emails, white papers, press releases, etc). Please note that the trend in the past years is to use Arabic, rather than Roman, numerals, so Class 1, 2, and 3 would be more modern.-->
* Investors, banks, and economic developers
* Rail employees, customers, suppliers, and citizens
* Transportation planners, land developers, realtors, and site selectors
* Researchers, other transportation services and modes, and government leaders


<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
Learn more about [[VitalRail/VitalRail Stakeholders|VitalRail Stakeholders]].


<h3>What reorientation would transform the rail business culture to balance investors' interests with key stakeholders' professional and personal interests?</h3></br>
==== VitalRail Value Proposition ====
Expanding freight rail service is crucial for sustainable industrial growth across North America.


<h1>Investors </h1></br>
As the continent pursues reshoring and reindustrialization, railroads need to serve as the backbone of supply chain transportation. Like high-speed internet, robust rail service is fundamental to community prosperity; its absence creates economic barriers and environmental costs. However, neither marketplace dynamics nor vested-interest lobbying lead to smart supply chains. For North America’s future prosperity, they must be reconceived with the thoughtful input of all stakeholder groups.


Rail Growth Capitalization IntelliConference</br>
The challenge is not a lack of intelligence; there are many smart and committed people in industry, government, and the community. What we have been lacking are the effective forums and methods for gathering this intelligence into smart policy, programs, and marketplace improvements. CAPSI provides that platform.


North American freight railroads require significant capital investments and strategic alignment among multiple stakeholders. One core cause of diminished growth capital is that freight railroads operate over private networks compared to other modes that operate over public networks. This has created an imbalance of risks and rewards for investors. Intelligent collaboration among the private sector investment community, rail management, and government will foster a rail growth strategy that strengthens a multimodal network, incentivizes public and private investment, and optimally serves supply chains. The key to facilitating this long-term growth strategy is to broaden investors’ valuation horizons, integrate public policies, and empower rail management.</br>
Learn more about the [[VitalRail/VitalRail Value Proposition|VitalRail Value Proposition]].


<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
==== VitalRail FAQs ====
 
Go to the [[VitalRail/VitalRail FAQs|VitalRail FAQs]] page to get your early questions answered.
<h3>What performance measures, financial incentives, and public policy adjustments can investors, rail management, and government reconceive to expand capitalization of the modernization and growth of North American freight railroads and enhance their strategic value to supply chain efficiency?</h3></br>
 
<h1>Employees</h1></br>
 
<h2>Rail Management – Rail Labor IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>Railroads and rail unions are filled with people dedicated to safety and organizational success. Their relations are often fraught with misunderstandings and missed opportunities. Creating a collaborative and trusting environment will leverage the strengths and contributions of all railroaders and is essential for the industry to grow and prosper.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
 
<h3>What aspects of the relationship between rail management and rail labor can be improved to boost productivity, safety, quality of working life, and service?</h3></br>
 
<h1>Citizens</h1></br>
 
<h1>Customers</h1></br>
 
<h2>Containerized International Freight IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>Globalization of supply chains has exacerbated congestion and chaos in how containerized freight is moved through North America. Stakeholder groups involved in containerized international freight face significant inefficiencies in the current use of ISO containers, chassis, trucks, railroads, ships, and related infrastructure.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
 
<h3>What improvements can stakeholders identify for moving containerized international freight through supply chains to improve efficiency, capacity, and commercial benefit with the least impact on the environment and community?</h3></br>
 
<h2>Revitalizing the Rail Carload System IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>There is an urgent need to reflect on and reinvent our rail carload system in light of the decline of coal shipments, reshoring and reindustrialization, new natural resource development, increasing population and freight demand, and urgent environmental, congestion, and financial challenges.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
 
<h3>How can stakeholders work together to build a rail carload system that best supports the nation’s sustainable prosperity?</h3></br>
 
<h1>Suppliers</h1></br>
 
<h2>Rail Energy Efficiency IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>There is an urgent need to improve the sustainability of freight transportation. Many disparate commercial actors and policymakers are advancing technologies aimed at reducing the energy requirements of moving railcars. Progress on these developments can only be accomplished effectively through large-scale collaboration. It is time to transform how we collectively evaluate and commit resources to significant new technology options.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
 
<h3>How can technology developers, railroads, investors, and policymakers make the wisest energy-efficiency decisions so that North American railroads contribute to lowering the emissions and resource requirements of freight movement?</h3></br>
 
<h1>Economic Developers</h1></br>
 
<h1>Transportation Planners</h1></br>
 
<h1>Land Developers</h1></br>
 
<h2>Freight Transportation Land Use IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>The industrial development planning paradigm has excluded the implications of site selection on the movement of freight to and from a property. This blind spot in land planning has had negative economic, environmental, and social consequences. Ensuring the quality of community life in municipalities, regions, and continents requires thoughtful coordination of land use decision-making with local and national supply chains, freight networks, and industrial systems.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
 
<h3>How can we institutionalize integrated planning of land use, freight transportation, and industrial systems among public and private-sector stakeholders?</h3></br>
 
<h1>Researchers</h1></br>
 
<h2>Rail Technology Adoption IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>Technology adoption by freight railroads has a long history, driven by internal business agendas, external regulation, and shipper requirements. Existing technologies can either be improved incrementally or replaced entirely by new technological advances. The dynamic pace of change is challenging to manage, exacerbated by organizational silos and varying perspectives among vendors and in-house developers. Technology is increasingly relied on for safe and efficient operations and business processes. There is an inclination to replace human labor with technological automation because of its assumed superiority. However, human intelligence is broader and more nuanced. The goal must be to optimize the interaction between technology and humans in complementary systems that empower situationally aware decisions.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
 
<h3>What level of cooperative interaction among stakeholders is required to implement technologies that effectively improve business results, increase safety, support growth, and improve customer service while promoting a culture of empowerment and inclusion for railroad staff at all levels, from executive management to craft labor?</h3></br>
 
<h1>Other Transportation Modes </h1></br>
 
<h2>Rail Trucking Coordination IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>Rail and trucking each have their strengths and limitations. In an unplanned system, those limitations leave unwelcome performance gaps. In an integrated system, each mode’s strengths can be optimized. It is time to apply collaboration and coordination to create a freight system that best leverages and integrates modal strengths and enhances financial returns for each mode.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core Question:</h2></br>
 
<h3>What new business interactions and public policy adjustments would improve the working relationship between trucking and rail systems to benefit shippers, providers, investors, labor and other staff, communities, and the environment?</h3></br>
 
<h1>Elected Leaders </h1></br>
 
<h2>Rail Regulatory Excellence IntelliConference</h2></br>
 
<h2>Rules and regulations are promulgated in reaction to various events and experiences. Often, they develop a life of their own, untethered to the original intent and absent the awareness of system consequences, frustrating stakeholders. Improvements are challenging when individual industries and companies beseech the government from a vested interest point of view. A robust set of recommendations informed objectively by all stakeholders is critical to meet urgent safety, productivity, financial, and environmental goals.</h2></br>
 
<h2>Core question:</h2></br>
 
<h3> What regulations can stakeholders agree are either outdated, de minimis, redundant, or counterproductive or can be improved or replaced to support the growth and safety of railroads and their service?</h3></br>

Latest revision as of 19:15, 18 August 2025

What is VitalRail?

VitalRail brings together a diverse group of stakeholders who see unprecedented opportunities to boost efficiency in freight and rail transportation. We view rail infrastructure as the backbone of revitalizing North America’s essential industrial systems. Through continual dialogue among VitalRail’s organizing and facilitation teams and professional stakeholders, we identify breakthroughs, make them actionable and tackle industry challenges head-on.

VitalRail Organizing Work

This is the place where CAPSI Organizers and Facilitators work with VitalRail Stakeholders to bring forth major sustainable economic and environmental improvements in the North American freight industry.

How the Organizing Work Gets Done

We start with core dialogues on the subject of North America’s freight service. Dialogues are goal directed. They have been conceived by Leaders and Stakeholders. Using our IntelliConference and IntelliSynthesis events and methods, the dialogues will develop as we all delve deeper into the challenges of the frieght and rail industry of North America

Your Time Commitment

To save you time, we use Action Buttons composed of Summaries, Digests and a few other key orientation features to help you stay up-to-date and, if you desire, make contributions. Summaries are what you need to know. Digests are deeper analysis linked to source content generated in InteliConferences and IntelliSynthesis events. The Action Buttons are located at the top of each Dialogue Page.

Join Us!

Go to Participation Options to enter this world of positive change collaboration. The OTNA staff and all our stakeholders look forward to meeting you. Make a donation

Why is VitalRail Needed?

Though North America enjoys perhaps the world's most productive freight rail system in the World, the industry’s $115 billion annual revenue is in stark contrast with the freight trucking industry’s $1 trillion yearly revenue.

Railroads offer irreplaceable space, energy, and capital efficiencies. Increasing freight rail service will contribute cascading benefits to all stakeholders:

  • A one-mile-long train moves the same goods as a 27-mile convoy of trucks
  • Its energy efficiency allows it to move that freight on one-quarter to one-half of the fuel required as well as the resulting emissions

VitalRail serves at the heart of CAPSI as a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the productivity of our industrial systems by expanding freight rail service.

There has never been a greater need or more opportunity for capitalizing railroad development to address transportation efficiency and environmental challenges. Rather than emotional critiques and general calls for a so-called rail renaissance, VitalRail is informed by the real challenges and benefits of growing an industry as integral as railroads.

At the same time, we need more from railroad companies than they can accomplish on their own. Fortunately, railroads do not need a government bailout, and they outperform many other industries. That stability—combined with rail technology’s inherent efficiencies—delivers a high return on investment when the involved stakeholder groups work together.

VitalRail Stakeholders

Collaboration among stakeholders is fundamental to achieving the tremendous growth opportunity for:

  • Railroads
  • Rail-related companies
  • The industries and communities they serve

VitalRail engages 14 interdependent stakeholder groups:

  • Class I, II, and III railroads
  • Investors, banks, and economic developers
  • Rail employees, customers, suppliers, and citizens
  • Transportation planners, land developers, realtors, and site selectors
  • Researchers, other transportation services and modes, and government leaders

Learn more about VitalRail Stakeholders.

VitalRail Value Proposition

Expanding freight rail service is crucial for sustainable industrial growth across North America.

As the continent pursues reshoring and reindustrialization, railroads need to serve as the backbone of supply chain transportation. Like high-speed internet, robust rail service is fundamental to community prosperity; its absence creates economic barriers and environmental costs. However, neither marketplace dynamics nor vested-interest lobbying lead to smart supply chains. For North America’s future prosperity, they must be reconceived with the thoughtful input of all stakeholder groups.

The challenge is not a lack of intelligence; there are many smart and committed people in industry, government, and the community. What we have been lacking are the effective forums and methods for gathering this intelligence into smart policy, programs, and marketplace improvements. CAPSI provides that platform.

Learn more about the VitalRail Value Proposition.

VitalRail FAQs

Go to the VitalRail FAQs page to get your early questions answered.

Retrieved from "https://capsi.ontracknorthamerica.org/index.php?title=VitalRail&oldid=6606"