Freight Facts and Figures 2008
"The Nation’s 114 million households, 7.6 million business establishments, and 88,000
government units are part of an enormous economy that demands the movement of
freight. The U.S. Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to grow, on average, almost 3percent per year between now and 2035, resulting in even greater demand for freight transportation. This growth will be driven by a population that is expected to increase from 300 million people in 2006 to 380 million in 2035..."

DHS Announces Security Standards for Freight and Passenger Rail Systems
"The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today regulations aimed at strengthening the security of the nation’s freight and passenger rail systems and reducing the risk associated with the transportation of security-sensitive materials...

The Rail Security final rule will require freight and passenger rail carriers to designate rail security coordinators and report significant security concerns to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). The rule also will codify TSA’s broad inspection authority. For freight rail, the rule will ensure the positive handoff of security-sensitive materials as well as establish security protocols for custody transfers of security-sensitive material rail cars between receivers of these materials that are located in high threat urban areas, shippers of these materials, and rail carriers."