Dierker Tag

What is Causing 1,000 Derailments Each Year?

25 Feb 2023, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

In one of his early responses to the derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg referenced the apparent common phenomenon of derailments in the United States. Whether to downplay or simply place it in context, Buttigieg stated that around 1,000 trains derail every year – around three each…

A Longer View on Longer Trains: Part 1 Safety

22 Feb 2023, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Analysis, Blog Posts

Longer trains can be a blessing or a curse, depending on where you sit. Certainly when stuck at a blocked crossing, one can only see the negatives. But what does a more wholistic assessment of longer trains reveal? Does the frustration outweigh the benefits, or are longer trains a key…

Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure Announces New Leadership

15 Feb 2023, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Press Releases

WASHINGTON, D.C. (February 15, 2023)— The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) has tapped Benjamin Dierker (@BenDierker), its longtime researcher and public policy director, as the new Executive Director. “Aii has an incredible mission and has made a real impact on infrastructure policy over the past decade,” Dierker said. “It…

Uncoupling Derailment from Disaster in East Palestine

14 Feb 2023, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

On Friday, February 3, 2023, a Norfolk Southern freight train moving through Ohio derailed in the city of East Palestine. While the definitive cause is still being investigated, reports indicate that 38 cars, including 11 carrying hazardous materials, derailed from a 150-car train with many damaged by fire. Subsequently, officials…

Decoding the Hydrogen Rainbow

31 Jan 2023, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

Blue, Grey, Green – oh my! The road to the emerald city of the future seems to feature a number of alternative energy projects with varying levels of promise. Perhaps the most touted yet least utilized at scale is hydrogen. But there seem to be many variations of hydrogen comprising…

More Damage, Most Costs, Less Clarity

17 Jan 2023, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

The Damage Information Reporting Tool (DIRT) Report from the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) is the definitive word on excavation damage to underground facilities. Stakeholders and policymakers alike go to this resource to understand the level of damage, estimate the costs imposed on society, and peer inside the root causes in…

What Did We Read in 2022?

28 Dec 2022, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

What did our team read this year? We are glad you asked! The work we do at the Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure very much revolves around public policy, innovative ideas, infrastructure topics, and related fields. In our personal lives, however, we sometimes venture down different avenues. We think this…

What the Data Says About Train Crew Size

13 Dec 2022, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Analysis, Blog Posts

Following two significant railroad incidents in 2013, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) began taking a sharper look at train crew sizes. Under the theory that human error was causing substantial harm to rail workers, the public, and the environment, the FRA proposed a minimum crew size on locomotives to ensure…

New Rail Report Calls for More Data Before New Rules

12 Dec 2022, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Press Releases

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Washington, D.C. (December 12, 2022) – The Alliance for Innovation and Infrastructure (Aii) published its latest report Monday, The Safety Impact of Technology and Crew Size: An analysis of accident data, incorporation of technology, and train crew staff levels on rail safety trends. This report will also be submitted to…

Sick Leave Will Not Derail the Supply Chain

02 Dec 2022, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

After years of negotiation through the collective bargaining process and a number of close calls with threatened labor strikes, President Biden on Friday signed into law a settlement of terms between railroad unions and railroad companies. The terms of the agreement are those recommended by the Presidential Emergency Board (PEB),…

Poll: 8 Billion People, What is the top infrastructure challenge?

30 Nov 2022, Posted by bdierker in Aii Asks, All Posts, Blog Posts

This month, the population of the planet is believed to have surpassed 8 billion living people. This milestone serves as a reminder of the importance of critical natural resources, infrastructure, agriculture, and various services. Without well-functioning markets, supply chains, and governments, millions of people will be exposed to heat or…

Cross Country on Premium Fuel

29 Nov 2022, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

Come along with Aii team member Andrew on his route from Norfolk, VA to Bozeman, Montana! In this video, we take a look at premium gas prices and how they vary from state to state. Enjoy not only a bit of insight into fuel costs, but a scenic route across…

Gas Versus Electric Race to the Capital

29 Nov 2022, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

This summer, Aii Founder Brigham McCown embarked on a cross-country road trip in his Tesla Model 3 from Seattle, WA to Washington, D.C. When he made it to Cincinatti, Aii team member Benjamin Dierker jumped in his gas-powered car to race to the nation’s capital from South Carolina. Watch these…

EV to DC: Taking an Electric Vehicle from Coast to Coast

29 Nov 2022, Posted by bdierker in All Posts, Blog Posts

This summer, Aii founder Brigham McCown embarked on a cross-country road trip in his Tesla Model 3. Starting from Washington state, he made a coast-to-coast drive all the way to Washington, D.C. In addition to seeing the nation’s beauty and bounty, he learned a number of lessons along the way….