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==== Introduction to VitalRail ====
{{DISPLAYTITLE:VitalRail Hub}}
VitalRail serves at the heart of OTNA as a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the productivity of our industrial systems by expanding freight rail service. This initiative 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. Railroads offer irreplaceable space, energy, and capital efficiencies:
VitalRail is unprecedented in its industrial policy scope. We have positioned the comprehensive set of initiatives for expanding freight rail service to North America’s industrial systems and communities. Expanded rail service is crucial to the continent’s economic and environmental sustainability. There is no technological replacement on the horizon for railroads' efficient movement of heavy weight over land. To meet this moment, VitalRail facilitates the multi-stakeholder investments and system-wide optimization that individual sectors or actors cannot achieve on their own. Now is the time to orchestrate the stakeholder collaboration needed to resolve long standing issues and realize this tremendous infrastructure development opportunity.


* A one-mile-long train moves the same goods as a 27-mile convoy of trucks.
'''To get involved in VitalRail, see our [[Participation Options]], and for background information see [[VitalRail/About|About VitalRail]]'''
* For the same freight, rail reduces fuel use and its resulting emissions by one-half to three-quarters.
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. However, 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. Increasing freight rail service will contribute cascading benefits to all stakeholders.


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. Through our IntelliConferences and continual diualogues, VitalRail’s organizing and facilitation teams and professional stakeholders identify breakthroughs, make them actionable, and tackle industry challenges head-on.
VitalRail works simultaneously in these five essential areas for growing freight rail service:


==== VitalRail Core IntelliConferences ====
#Citizen and community education on the benefits of rail transportation
We start with core dialogues on the subject of North America’s freight service.  Dialogues are goal directed. They have been conceived by our [[BrainTrust|leaders and stakeholders]].  Using our [[IntelliConferences|IntelliConference and IntelliSynthesis]] events and methods, the dialogues will develop as we delve deeper into the challenges of the frieght and rail industry of North America together.
#"Rail-enabled economic development" training for economic developers, landowners, and land developers
#Growth capital for rail-served industrial systems and projects
#Rail-centered industrial development initiatives for states and provinces
#Collaborative resolution of long-standing barriers to shared prosperity, enabled by the IntelliConferences listed below:


== The VitalRail IntelliConferences ==
* [[Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger IntelliConference|Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger]]
* [[Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger IntelliConference|Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern Merger]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Growth Capitalization IntelliConference|Rail Growth Capitalization]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Growth Capitalization IntelliConference|Rail Growth Capitalization]]
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* [[VitalRail/Rail Trucking Coordination IntelliConference|Rail Trucking Coordination]]
* [[VitalRail/Rail Trucking Coordination IntelliConference|Rail Trucking Coordination]]


==== Organizing Principles ====
== See More ==
# '''Design for Action''' - Create dynamic, updatable, easy to track plans rather than static reports and unorganized discussion'''.'''
# '''Radical Inclusion''' - Engage all stakeholders, regions, and projects comprehensively
# '''Right Tools and Data''' - Use advanced mapping systems and private-sector data beyond basic government datasets
# '''Integrated Systems''' - Treat rail and roads as one collaborative system, not competitors
# '''Whole Supply Chains''' - Focus on complete supply chain strategies rather than individual projects
# '''Interstate Coordination''' - Plan across state lines through coalitions like the Southwest Supply Chain Coalition
# '''Smart Economic Development''' - Integrate rail planning with economic development strategies
# '''Land-Use Integration''' - Coordinate freight transportation with land-use planning
# '''Compelling Growth Plans''' - Present railroads with attractive business opportunities
# '''Private Investment''' - Attract private capital rather than relying solely on government funding


==== VitalRail FAQs ====
* [[VitalRail/About|About VitalRail]]
Go to the [[VitalRail/VitalRail FAQs|VitalRail FAQs]] page to get your early questions answered.
* [[VitalRail/VitalRail Stakeholders|VitalRail 360° Stakeholder Map]]
==== Join Us! ====
* [[VitalRail Capitalization|Bridging the Rail Growth Capitalization Gap]]
Go to [[Participation Options]] to enter this world of positive change collaboration. The OTNA staff and all our stakeholders look forward to meeting you.
* [[Media:OTNA VitalRail 18Nov2025.pdf|VitalRail Opportunity Memo]]

Latest revision as of 19:04, 25 November 2025

VitalRail is unprecedented in its industrial policy scope. We have positioned the comprehensive set of initiatives for expanding freight rail service to North America’s industrial systems and communities. Expanded rail service is crucial to the continent’s economic and environmental sustainability. There is no technological replacement on the horizon for railroads' efficient movement of heavy weight over land. To meet this moment, VitalRail facilitates the multi-stakeholder investments and system-wide optimization that individual sectors or actors cannot achieve on their own. Now is the time to orchestrate the stakeholder collaboration needed to resolve long standing issues and realize this tremendous infrastructure development opportunity.

To get involved in VitalRail, see our Participation Options, and for background information see About VitalRail

VitalRail works simultaneously in these five essential areas for growing freight rail service:

  1. Citizen and community education on the benefits of rail transportation
  2. "Rail-enabled economic development" training for economic developers, landowners, and land developers
  3. Growth capital for rail-served industrial systems and projects
  4. Rail-centered industrial development initiatives for states and provinces
  5. Collaborative resolution of long-standing barriers to shared prosperity, enabled by the IntelliConferences listed below:

The VitalRail IntelliConferences

See More

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