Rail Advisory Committee
Within the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) sits the Rail Division.
The Rail Division is responsible for: crossing safety over all public highway-railroad crossings; managing 150 miles of state-owned railroad right of way along the Astoria Line and the Oregon Electric Line; acting as an agent for the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by inspecting track, railroad equipment and cars, hazardous materials and operating practices; regulating clearances between railroad tracks and structures to ensure the safety of railroad employees; inspecting tracks, including industrial spurs and sidings for compliance with ODOT regulations; and state safety oversight of transit agencies with rail systems, including street cars and trolleys operated by other government bodies.
The Rail Advisory Committee (RAC) serves in an advisory capacity to ODOT on matters relating to freight and passenger rail. Among those represented on the committee are the Class 1 railroads (national scope lines), short line railroads (in state operators), business that ships on the system, passengers that use the system, and local governments. These 14 individuals serve as unpaid volunteers on the RAC.
The RAC met for three days last week to scrutinize 29 ConnectOregonIII rail related grant applications. Applicants came to Salem to address the committee and answer very pointed questions about the nature of their requests. The RAC was charged with prioritizing all of the applications under three main criteria: first, does the project reduce transportation costs for Oregon businesses or improve access to jobs and sources of labor, second: does the project result in an economic benefit to the state, and third: is the project a critical link in Oregon’s transportation system that will measurably improve utilization and efficiency.
The next major project of the RAC will be to assist and advise with a 20 year plan for upgrading Oregon’s rail system. Unlike our highway system, the rail system has never had a comprehensive plan that will guide funding decisions to build a cohesive system for freight and passenger rail. Both on the federal and state levels, rail is receiving increasing support as a viable alternative to reduce congestion on the road system. As a general rule, for every rail car that can be put in motion, three trucks can be taken off the road.