Browsing by Author "Buffington, Jesse L."
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Item Pollution and Energy Consumption of Railroad Transportation(Texas Transportation Institute Texas A&M University, 1977-01) Buffington, Jesse L.In order to make rational decisions with regard to the public assistance that might be necessary to maintain a viable transportation system for Texas, the decisionmakers should have knowledge of the energy consumption and pollution emission characteristics of competing modes of transportation. This is especially true with respect to energy consumption at the time when the nation is being made acutely aware of its dwindling supply of petroleum fuels used by motor vehicles, airplanes, and locomotives. The emphasis is on fuel efficiency and conservation in all modes of transportation. As prices of petroleum fuels continue to increase, the mode of transportation that is the most fuel efficient in transporting people and goods will become more and more attractive to commuters and shippers. Also, other fuels, such as coal (converted to gas or electricity), will be used more and more to furnish the energy needs of competing modes of transportation. As our cities in Texas and the Nation continue to grow, it will become increasingly difficult to maintain clean air to breathe. Therefore, the mode of transportation which pollutes the air the least will become more and more desirable, especially in the major urban areas of the State. All forms of pollution (air, noise, water, etc.) are receiving more and more attention in the quest to maintain a healthy and pleasing environment for everyone.Item Railroad Property Acquisition, Use, Taxation and Abandonment(Texas Transportation Institute Texas A&M University, 1977-01) Buffington, Jesse L.This report is a summary of findings concerning railroad property acquisition and use, taxation, and abandonment in Texas and is one of a series of reports that has results from the Texas Rail Evaluation Study. The four major sources of data upon which these findings are based are the (1) Texas Railroad Commission's annual reports, (2) State Comptroller's annual reports, (3) History of Texas Railroads, by Reed, and (4) the railroads. With the problems experienced by railroads, particularly, those in the northeast, in recent years, an evaluation of the status of railroad industry serving Texas is both timely and needed. However, time and funds did not permit an exhaustive study, but enough data are presented to indicate the present status of railroads operating in Texas with respect to rail property acquisition and use, taxation and abandonment. An overall report of findings based on this and other reports will be prepared at the end of the Texas Rail Evaluation Study.Item Socioeconomic Characteristics and Forecasts affecting the Demand for Railroad Transportation(Texas A&M University Texas Transportation Institute, 1977-02) Buffington, Jesse L.Railroads have played a vital role in the industrial development of Texas by providing essential transportation services to all parts of the State and the Nation. There are many things which determine the demand for railroad services in Texas including the supply of and demand for raw materials (sand, gravel, minerals, petroleum, etc.), agricultural products and manufactured products produced in Texas. Railroads now serve 226 (90 percent) of the 254 countries within the State. With several applications for railroad abandonments pending, the number of counties with rail service is expected to be reduced. The need for railroad services by a county is indicated by the annual level of retail sales, agricultural receipts, manufacture value added and mineral production maintained by that county. If railroad services to a county are changed through abandonments, mainline consolidation, etc., the effects are reflected in the county's population, employment, and per capita income. In turn, changes in the socioeconomic conditions of a county can affect the level of railroad services that can be provided in the future. To assist in the evaluation of what level of railroad service that should be provided in each county and the State as a whole, selected socioeconomic forecasts and characteristics are presented in this report.