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==== Introduction to VitalRail ====
==== Introduction to VitalRail ====
VitalRail 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. Through our IntelliConferences and a continual diualogues, VitalRail’s organizing and facilitation teams and professional stakeholders identify breakthroughs, make them actionable, and tackle industry challenges head-on. Check out [[VitalRail Organizing Principles|VitalRail's organizing principles.]]
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. Increasing freight rail service will contribute cascading benefits to all stakeholders:


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.
* A one-mile-long train moves the same goods as a 27-mile convoy of trucks.
* For the same freight, rail reduces fuel use and its resulting emissions by one-half to three-quarters.  


Railroads offer irreplaceable space, energy, and capital efficiencies. Increasing freight rail service will contribute cascading benefits to all stakeholders:
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.


* A one-mile-long train moves the same goods as a 27-mile convoy of trucks
Through our IntelliConferences and a continual diualogues, VitalRail’s organizing and facilitation teams and professional stakeholders identify breakthroughs, make them actionable, and tackle industry challenges head-on. Check out [[VitalRail Organizing Principles|VitalRail's organizing principles.]]
* Its energy efficiency allows it to move that freight on one-quarter to one-half of the fuel required as well as the resulting emissions


VitalRail serves at the heart of OTNA as a comprehensive strategy for enhancing the productivity of our industrial systems by expanding freight rail service.


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.
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.
At the same time, 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.


Expanding freight rail service is crucial for sustainable industrial growth across North America.
Expanding freight rail service is crucial for sustainable industrial growth across North America.


As the continent pursues reshoring and reindustrialization, railroads need to serve as the backbone of supply chain transportation. Like high-speed internet, robust rail service is fundamental to community prosperity; its absence creates economic barriers and environmental costs. However, neither marketplace dynamics nor vested-interest lobbying lead to smart supply chains. For North America’s future prosperity, they must be reconceived with the thoughtful input of all stakeholder groups.
As the continent pursues reshoring and reindustrialization, railroads need to serve as the backbone of supply chain transportation. Like high-speed internet, robust rail service is fundamental to community prosperity; its absence creates economic barriers and environmental costs. However, neither marketplace dynamics nor vested-interest lobbying lead to smart supply chains. The challenge is not a lack of intelligence; there are many smart and committed people in industry, government, and the community. What we have been lacking are the effective forums and methods for gathering this intelligence into smart policy, programs, and marketplace improvements. OTNA provides that platform.
 
The challenge is not a lack of intelligence; there are many smart and committed people in industry, government, and the community. What we have been lacking are the effective forums and methods for gathering this intelligence into smart policy, programs, and marketplace improvements. OTNA provides that platform.


Learn more about the [[VitalRail/VitalRail Value Proposition|VitalRail Value Proposition]].
Learn more about the [[VitalRail/VitalRail Value Proposition|VitalRail Value Proposition]].

Latest revision as of 19:56, 4 November 2025

Introduction to VitalRail

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 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. Increasing freight rail service will contribute cascading benefits to all stakeholders:

  • A one-mile-long train moves the same goods as a 27-mile convoy of trucks.
  • 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.

Through our IntelliConferences and a continual diualogues, VitalRail’s organizing and facilitation teams and professional stakeholders identify breakthroughs, make them actionable, and tackle industry challenges head-on. Check out VitalRail's organizing principles.


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.

Expanding freight rail service is crucial for sustainable industrial growth across North America.

As the continent pursues reshoring and reindustrialization, railroads need to serve as the backbone of supply chain transportation. Like high-speed internet, robust rail service is fundamental to community prosperity; its absence creates economic barriers and environmental costs. However, neither marketplace dynamics nor vested-interest lobbying lead to smart supply chains. The challenge is not a lack of intelligence; there are many smart and committed people in industry, government, and the community. What we have been lacking are the effective forums and methods for gathering this intelligence into smart policy, programs, and marketplace improvements. OTNA provides that platform.

Learn more about the VitalRail Value Proposition.

VitalRail FAQs

Go to the VitalRail FAQs page to get your early questions answered.

VitalRail Core IntelliConferences

We start with core dialogues on the subject of North America’s freight service. Dialogues are goal directed. They have been conceived by Leaders and Stakeholders. Using our IntelliConference and IntelliSynthesis events and methods, the dialogues will develop as we all delve deeper into the challenges of the frieght and rail industry of North America

Join Us!

Go to Participation Options to enter this world of positive change collaboration. The OTNA staff and all our stakeholders look forward to meeting you.

VitalRail Stakeholders

Collaboration among stakeholders is fundamental to achieving the tremendous growth opportunity for:

  • Railroads
  • Rail-related companies
  • The industries and communities they serve

VitalRail engages 14 interdependent stakeholder groups:

  • Class I, II, and III railroads
  • Investors, banks, and economic developers
  • Rail employees, customers, suppliers, and citizens
  • Transportation planners, land developers, realtors, and site selectors
  • Researchers, other transportation services and modes, and government leaders

Learn more about VitalRail Stakeholders.