"During the 1990s it became clear that North America was in the middle of a growing transportation crisis. Today the challenge is even more urgent: Gas-guzzling SUVs clog the highways and fuel America's dependence on imported oil. Meanwhile, air travelers face delays, cancellations, and uncertainty about safety. The unprecedented terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, are forcing Americans to search for ways to solve their transportation problems. New Departures: Rethinking Rail Passenger Policy in the Twenty-First Century proposes realistic options for improving intercity passenger trains' capacity to move North Americans where they want to go."--BOOK JACKET.