Evaluating Train Length: Mitigating the Costs and Enhancing the Benefits of Longer Trains

In our report, we find that trains in the United States are getting longer, which raises policy considerations for public safety, the economy, and the environment. Although the available data does not strongly link longer trains to increased accidents, they might reduce the total number of trains, potentially lowering certain risks and shifting freight to trucks, which could increase highway safety concerns. Our report emphasizes the need for policymakers to carefully evaluate the costs and benefits of train length, noting the challenge posed by the lack of a clear definition of a “long” train.