AASHTO Journal - CORT Meeting to Focus on Safety, Freight, Passenger Rail

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials noted that the main themes the annual meeting of its Council on Rail Transportation, to be held October 20-23 in Minneapolis, will focus on rail safety, freight connectivity, and supporting a robust intercity passenger rail system. To register for this meeting, click here.

[Above image by AASHTO]

AASHTO’s Council on Rail Transportation – known as “CORT” – provides a forum to discuss, recommend, and coordinate with rail stakeholders on freight and passenger rail legislation, regulation, and other industry issues.

The CORT annual meeting will feature several spotlight sessions, keynotes, plenary panels, and workshops on key state and federal rail transportation issues – especially the issues of safety and freight connectivity as well as a robust intercity passenger rail system.

Roger Harris, president of Amtrak, will provide an update on Amtrak operations at the annual CORT meeting as well as on the partnerships between the national passenger rail provider and state departments of transportation.

Experts from the Texas A&M Transportation Institute and state DOTs will share insights as part of a “Centering on Safety” freight rail panel discussion at the meeting.

[Editor’s note: Garrett Eucalitto, commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Transportation and AASHTO’s 2024-2025 president, testified at a Congressional hearing in May about ways to improve the “efficiency and effectiveness” of federal rail funding, both for passenger and freight service.]

There are also planned spotlight sessions focused on AI-Powered Technological Insights for Rail Highway Crossings; Adjusting to Changing Travel Patterns/Enhancing the Passenger Experience; State DOT Perspectives on Trends in Shortline Rail; Advantages and Challenges of State DOT Rail Lines; and the Impacts of Passenger Rail Investment. Also planned is a spotlight session highlighting the National University Rail Center Consortium (NURail); a Corridor ID grant program workshop; and a state DOT railroad coordination workshop.

An AASHTO Freight States Meeting and a tour of the BNSF Northtown Yard in Fridley, MN, will also be featured during the annual CORT meeting.

To register for this meeting, click here.