Alabama Statewide Rail Plan Update and Directory

BKI as contracted by the Alabama Department of Transportation - Bureau of Multimodal Transportation, to produce the 2001 Alabama Rail Plan Update. The plan was a component of the Alabama Statewide Transportation Plan.

BKI documented how the 28 existing railroads have reacted to changing market dynamics, innovative technology, and societal expectations over the past decade. Several trends, such as corporate mergers and acquisitions, line abandonments, and intermodalism were identified as causes of change in Alabama’s rail industry, which hauls over 93.5 million tons of cargo annually over 4,700 miles of active railroad tracks and generates over $280 million in revenues.

BKI prepared an inventory of Alabama’s operating railroads, contacting each directly to gather current information as to their location and use. This resulted in the compilation of the 2001 Alabama Rail Directory– the first ever in state history. The directory was then disseminated to manufacturers and shippers, economic development agencies, local and regional governments, and citizens with an interest in railroads in an effort to promote the industry and develop new outlets.