A History of Transportation Moving Goods and People Tansportation Systems Management

The earliest systems in the history of rail transport can be traced to wagonways in Greece around 600 BC. These wagonways consisted of channels that guided the wheels of the cart or wagon. The first wagonway was the Diolkos wagonway which was used for 650 years. Tansportation Systems Management

German “Hunds” – also known as tub rails used in mining in the 1500’s. Tansportation Systems Management

 Railroads reduce friction which allow greater loads to be moved with less energy.  Bulk dense goods can be moved more efficiently and cost effectively. Tansportation Systems Management

Pre-1605 James Clifford used a funicular in Shropshire, England to move coal. George Stephenson in Great Britain created the first successful steam locomotive. Tansportation Systems Management

 Early railroads in England dropped the cost of shipping by 60 – 70%  The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad raised $4,000,000 to fund construction in 12 days in Tansportation Systems Management

 Pacific Railroad Act of  Central Pacific and Union Pacific Companies build a transcontinental railroad to connect the US from east to west.  Built in 7 years.  Joined in Promontory, Utah on May 10, Tansportation Systems Management

 Opened the east coast markets to the west coast and Asian trade.  $50 million dollars of freight shipped in first 10 years.  Connected the US – people could travel the length of the country in days.  Opened the mid-portion of the US to settlement.  Provided better postal service to the west. to the west.  Provided resources for mapping the west. Tansportation Systems Management

1880 – 17,800 freight locomotives and 22,200 passenger locomotives in the US – Standard time Zones were adopted by the railroad – US had 230, miles of track – Railroads nationalized during World War I 1940’s – World War II brings highest ridership in US History as trains are used to transport soldiers. used to transport soldiers. Tansportation Systems Management

$60 Billion industry $60 Billion industry 140,000 rail miles 140,000 rail miles 221,000 jobs (2012) 221,000 jobs (2012) Accounts for 40% of US freight transport Accounts for 40% of US freight transport Tansportation Systems Management

Agricultural products - grain, cooking oil, livestock Energy products – crude oil, coal, diesel Automobiles and automobile components Construction materials ChemicalsEquipmentFoodMetalsMineralsPaper Manufactured Goods Tansportation Systems Management

 Rail is more efficient for shipping goods. Rail fuel efficiency has improved by 20% since  The ability to “double-stack” shipping containers increases efficiency.  One double-stacked train can replace 300 trucks and save over 75,289 gallons of fuel.  Computer technology and rail expansion will enhance rail transport. Tansportation Systems Management