Insights - July/August 2018 - 30

HAMBERGER
"IANA and AAR have had a close
and mutually beneficial working
relationship over the past two
decades," said Joni Casey, president
and CEO of IANA. "I have always been
able to count on Ed as a dependable
ally on issues that impact the
intermodal industry. During his tenure,
domestic intermodal has transitioned
Casey
to one of the railroads' primary markets
and experienced sizable growth. This growth, largely through
Ed's leadership, has been achieved based on a stable regulatory
environment and growing attention to creating an environment
where railroads can continue to flourish. On behalf of IANA, I
congratulate Ed on his many achievements and wish him the
best for the future."

"I have always been able to count
on Ed as a dependable ally on
issues that impact the intermodal
industry."
- Joni Casey, president and CEO, IANA

'A Lot to Get Done'
"There is still a lot to get done," Hamberger said. Particularly,
he cited ongoing attention to economic and safety regulation,
truck size and weight, confirmation of two additional Surface
Transportation Board members, capitalizing on international
trade opportunities and devoting more attention to technology
and industry demographics.
"Ed has been a great advocate for the rail industry. During his
tenure, AAR did everything to effectively protect their view that
the regulatory scheme that is in place should remain in place,"
said Daniel Elliott III, former chairman of the Surface Transportation Board and now a Washington attorney. "I have the utmost
respect for Ed. He was one of the nicest men I've ever met."
Independent rail analyst Tony
Hatch, who praised Hamberger's "grit"
in effectively fending off past regulatory challenges, said the industry
still has to maintain that defensive
posture against shippers and truckers
trying to challenge railroads on economic grounds.
Right now, economic regulatory
pressure appears to have eased.
Hamberger noted that a small number
Hatch
of congressional members attended a
recent House hearing where their attention focused on Amtrak,
instead of past sessions where legislators "pounded the table
calling for captive shippers to be freed."

'Some of Our Best Customers'
On the other hand, the controversy
over truck size and weight continues.
Hamberger said the railroads aren't
trying to inhibit competition with truckers,
who he described as "some of our best
customers." The issue, he said, is having
each mode pay its fully allocated share
for infrastructure.
Safety regulation and technology
are increasingly important, Hamberger
said, calling for greater recognition of
rail technology achievements and a
new regulatory approach at the Federal
Railroad Administration.
"It is very hard to get FRA to allow and
encourage new technologies," Hamberger
said, while noting that new Administrator
Ron Batory, a former rail executive, is
aware of the situation. "We hope to
change the mindset, to look at technology
and safety enhancements, and not as a
matter of lost jobs."
Another issue ahead is changing
demographics, the AAR official said.
"Management has to understand
the younger person's point of view,"
Hamberger said, recognizing workforce
diversity and embracing technology in the
recruitment process.
30 Intermodal Insights | July/August 2018

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