© 2024 MICHIGAN PUBLIC
91.7 Ann Arbor/Detroit 104.1 Grand Rapids 91.3 Port Huron 89.7 Lansing 91.1 Flint
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

A conference in Lansing this week will attempt to put Michigan railroads on the right track

en.wikipedia.org

In Lansing this week, a group hopes to lay the course for developing Michigan's railroads.

There is a growing demand for passenger and freight rail transportation. But the question is how to increase capacity on the rail lines that crisscross Michigan.

Tuesday’s conference at Lansing Community College will try to answer that capacity question.

Pasi Lautala is an engineering professor at Michigan Technological University and the director of the MTU Rail Transportation Program.   He’s also one of the co-chairs of the conference.

“We are going to be looking at both trying to improve how do we utilize current lines and how do we enhance the capabilities of the system.” Says Lautala, “If you want to increase the capacity, you’re going to need some funding. And that, as we know, is not easy to come by.”

Lautala says the conference will look at things like the growth of high speed rail and making the best use of aging rail lines in rural Michigan.

Michigan has about 36 hundred miles of track serving two dozen passenger and freight railroads.

Steve Carmody has been a reporter for Michigan Public since 2005. Steve previously worked at public radio and television stations in Florida, Oklahoma and Kentucky, and also has extensive experience in commercial broadcasting.
Related Content