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After a PSR asset and resource downsizing, the network services have the ability to as if spring back rapidly into shape (called Elasticity).ĭo railroads using their current version of PSR (better described perhaps as a “Predictable Service Railroading” business model) satisfy all of these resilience definitions? The twin cornerstones of resilience and reliability effectively must be measured from the point of view of the shipper/receiver sector.The system managers can intercede quickly with counter measures.The system is flexible in resources and routings.The system can recover quickly from interruptions.So, what do freight railroads have to provide in a playbook for resilience? Can we agree that resilience has these four critical resiliency measurements? We are awaiting a stand-out report from customers that the railroads are specifically accurate to such minute-to-hour or two deliveries. At best, the jury is still out on their determination of e-commerce-like results. Which of the seven Class I railroads meet that kind of precision-like final delivery performance?įrom the published carload service and intermodal service report cards published by the Class I’s to their shareholders, few seem to display a consistent performance. Reliability in the e-commerce sector is measured in minutes or perhaps to just a few hours of final delivery reliability. That’s where the essential market demand is most often located. Reliability from the market demand fulfillment perspective has to be measured at the destination (receiver) end. But let’s ask, “How reliable and resilient are railroads”? In fact, there is evidence that, in some cases, the PSR business model has slowed some trains down. Outright speed is not a freight railroad trait these days. Let’s therefore look closer at the railroads’ real role in container and high-priority freight movement.Į-commerce requires speedy delivery, constant reliability, and flexibility (resilience). There is little evidence to support such a theory that somehow intermodal rail is essential. The phrase “enable” refers to the positive act of helping someone accomplish something that could not be done alone. Upon closer examination, that bold assertion does not seem to be true.įirst, let’s recognize that the term enables suggests a critical necessity as a first step toward e-commerce success. One claim is that the freight railroads “enable” e-commerce. There are promotional statements about how rail freight railroads are essential to such growth sectors as e-commerce.
However, a closer look at the available data suggests that this is mainly correct for heavy-haul commodity density products and resource materials, from chemicals to coal. Meanwhile, there are selective assertions about how the North American railroad network is helping keep society supplied with essential goods.