Rail and Transportation Expert To Discuss First-Time Homeland Security Study And Threats To The Rail System On KNBC-TV This Sunday

Communities at risk are being ignored and more funds are needed to protect our rail corridors and freight rail services," said Executive Director Chris Becker of Orange North-American Trade Rail Access Corridor (OnTrac) Joint Powers Authority.

LOS ANGELES, CA (PRWEB) April 23, 2004 -—Executive Director Chris Becker, the Orange North-American Trade Rail Access Corridor (OnTrac) Joint Powers Authority is scheduled to speak live in a one-on-one interview on the potential terrorism threats to our nations rail system, Sunday, April 25, 2004. 7:00 – 8:00 a.m. (PDT), on KNBC-TV Channel 4, Today In LA Weekend." OnTrac has released the only Homeland Security Study through Los Angeles County Economic Development (LAEDC) and the Rand Corporation, which focuses on what the country needs to do next. A summary is posted at: www.MayoCommunications.com or www.laedc.org.

The threat of terrorism is real and last months deadly train bombing in Spain has created renewed interest in our Homeland Security study and OnTrac project," said Becker. The efficient movement of goods is the lifeblood of our national economy, creating jobs and an enviable standard of living."

Becker recently told the Subcommittee on Railroads Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure,
U.S. House of Representatives, that the most recent figures show that more than 15 billion tons of goods, worth more than $9 trillion, were carried on our intermodal transportation system. This translates into 310 pounds of freight moved daily for each resident of the United States. Disruption of our rail system would be devastating."

Becker believes the threat of terrorism to our freight and passenger rail system is an important issue confronting the country. OnTrac not only deals with reducing congestion, improving safety and enhancing environmental quality, but is also fundamental to the nations economic growth and international competitiveness according to the study.

Americas freight railroads carry more than 40 percent of the nations intercity freight (measured in ton-miles)," explained Becker. In many of the rail corridors and global gateways, from California to New York, and from Illinois to Texas, the railroads are operating in unsafe congested conditions, and run at unacceptable speeds because of the competition at grade crossings with automobiles and pedestrians. Many of the communities represented by Members of both the Subcommittee and Full Committee are confronted with these conditions every day," said Becker.

[Editors: For more about OnTrac visit: www.OnTrac-JPA.org or www.MayoCommunications.com].