Source Notes 14

Revving Up the Rails (Governing Magazine, 03/2007)

Summary:

Governing Magazine reported that the main problem with rail travel in America is that passenger trains have to share rails with freight trains.  Having to build passenger-specific rails could make the federal government hesitant to invest in high-speed trains or encourage it to create new jobs, which could swing the answer to my policy question either way.

Topic:

High-Speed Rail Policy

Category:

Institutional

What is it?

a magazine article

Publication Information:

The name of the publication is Governing.  The article was published in March, 2007 in Washington D.C.

Author:

Josh Goodman

Location:

Governing Magazine

Accessed:

February 12, 2009

Support:

Frank Busalacchi, secretary of the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, and chairman of States for Passenger Rail

Richard L. Beadles, member of Virginia’s Rail Advisory Board

Tom White, a spokesman for the Association of American Railroads

Karen Rae, a deputy secretary in the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation

Cliff Black, an Amtrak spokesman

Patrick Simmons, director of the rail division of the North Carolina Department of Transportation

Frank Busalacchi says that the reason on-time performance is slipping is because of problems with freight traffic.  Richard Beadles says that there has been a tremendous lack of planning historically with railroads.  Tom White says that private rail companies can’t invest in passenger rail because their investors don’t see it as a good investment.  Karen Rae says that Amtrak can’t focus on state rail routes because they have the entire country to worry about, and that state governments are better able to start state projects.  Cliff Black says that freight trains are not trying to make operation difficult for passenger trains; the track s are simply overcrowded.  Patrick Simmons says that the federal government designating high-speed rail corridors means that state governments can freely invest their own money in them.

Audience and Agenda:

Governing magazine has a paid and controlled readership of 86,000.  Most of its readers are state, county, and municipal officials.  Other readers include academics, journalists, and advocates.  They are looking for professional information sources on national issues.  They expect objective articles focusing on government policy, politics, and management of government projects.

Governing is published by Congressional Quarterly publications, which is owned by Times Publishing Company.  Times Publishing Company is owned by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.  Therefore, the article was payed for by the acedemic institute founded by Nelson Poynter.  They are trying to reach an audience of state, county, and municipal officials, academics, activists, and journalists trying to keep up with sub-federal issues in Washington D.C.  The are trying to influence federal policies on state, county, and municipal issues.

Usefulness:

This article was created via funding from a non-profit educational institute to influence federal policy on state, county, and municipal interests.  The academics use professionals in their reports, which give them more credibility.

The report is addressing an audience of professional government officials, members of the media, and policy advocates.  Government officials are the exact people that need to be influenced for investment in high-speed rail to happen.

It is making the argument that separate tracks have to be built for passenger rail to meet its full potential.  Having to invest in separate tracks could dissuade the government from investing in high-speed rail.  It takes a lot of money to buy land for tracks, and to improve them.

The article does not leave out much vital information, providing an objective and in-depth report.  It’s not advocating investment in high-speed rail, but identifying the prerequisites for successful passenger rail.

Focusing on problems with high-speed rail, this source relates to Source Notes 9.  Being from a professional periodical, this source relates to Source Notes 11, Source Notes 12, and Source Notes 15.

Works Cited:

“Ulrichsweb.com.”  Ulrich’s Periodical Directory.  <http://ulrichsweb.com/ulrichsweb/>

“Governing.” Governing Magazine.  <http://www.governing.com/>

“Governing Magazine.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Governing_Magazine>

“Congressional Quarterly.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Congressional_Quarterly>

“Times Publishing Company.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Times_Publishing_Company>

“The Poynter Institue for Media Studies.”  Wikipedia.  <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poynter_Institute>

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