Kansas DOT's Win-Win Support of Short Line Railroads

John Maddox has been working for over two decades to help short line railroads continue to provide competitive transportation options to farmers in Kansas. Meanwhile, the Kansas DOT program saves taxpayer dollars from unnecessary road wear and tear, improving road safety and reducing diesel emissions. 

This is a win-win program with strong bi-partisan support! 
Hear from John about how this work has been accomplished, the benefit cost analysis Kansas does, and how other state and short line railroads might learn from their effort. He presented on AASHTO and TRB webinars in the past year, and we were so impressed that we invited him to share the story Kansas has to tell, for the benefit of us all. 

Thank you John for sharing lessons from your work and all those from around the country who joined the conversation.  

John's slide presentation HERE.

Check out the Kansas DOT Cost Benefit Analysis tool HERE

John's bio:

John W. Maddox, CPM, is the Program Manager in the Office of Freight and Rail at the Kansas Department of Transportation. The short line infrastructure improvement programs John has overseen for the last 23 years promote public pri

vate partnerships with short line railroads, shippers, and local units of government throughout Kansas. These programs are designed to improve rail capacity, provide Kansas farmers and grain elevators with access to competitive transportation options, and improve railroad operating efficiencies - while keeping the Kansas agricultural sector connected to regional, national, and international markets. His creativity at work is matched by his passion for abstract painting, genealogy research, following MIZZOU athletics, and playing tennis.

John grew up in the metro Kansas City area and is a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia. His interest in agriculture was shaped through early exposure to farming at Olendorff Farm, the family farm located just northwest of Columbia, Missouri, and helping at the family’s business selling poultry and eggs, livestock feeds, and pecans. John’s uncle was a Pioneer seed distributor as well. John still operates the farm, raising corn and soybeans.

 

 

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