In the new proposal, commuter rail has been scaled back to include only rush hour service. Modeling by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Corporation shows that, with appropriate RTA and Amtrak investments, projected passenger and freight traffic can be accommodated through the year 2005. Thus, there should be no negative impact of commuter rail on freight mobility. In addition, beyond the year 2005 there are physical constraints which may limit the growth of rail traffic through Seattle and to the north. The two RTA elections have focused public attention on one aspect of regional transportation, high capacity transit.
Businesses depend upon the movement of freight as much as the movement of people.
An inefficient freight transportation system will result in higher consumer prices within the region and lower wages. In January 1994 the Economic Development Council of Seattle and King County assembled the Regional Freight Mobility Roundtable to help the PSRC develop a freight mobility component for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The Roundtable brings together a number of parties with interests in the freight network of the central Puget Sound region, including railroads, trucking lines, ports, and industrial and commercial businesses. Freight Movements in the Region's Economy Today, short haul freight, with trips of less than 250 miles, moves predominately by truck. Trains, trucks, and ships are all used to provide long haul service.