About CAPSI: Difference between revisions

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''        “Whenever I hear that we need a national dialogue, as in, we need a national dialogue on gun control, police reform, or voter rights, I wonder, where exactly would we have that dialogue? In the newspapers, on social media, in our courts? These venues are ill-suited for substantive national dialogues. So, my team set out to develop an effective forum and methodology to answer the call. CAPSI is that urgently needed institutional model for governments, businesses, and citizens to co-create policies, plans, and investment strategies for a sustainable world. Our IntelliSynthesis® method optimizes participants’ time by gathering collective intelligence across sectors, stakeholder groups, and jurisdictions while preventing any vested interest from controlling or narrowing the dialogue or its outcomes. Now, we have an effective forum for having national dialogues.”''
<h2>OnTrackNorthAmerica is a nonprofit transportation consultancy and think tank committed to co-leading society in redesigning our industrial systems to support sustainable life.  Industrial systems are the complete set of commercial, policy, and planning activities that deliver materials and products for modern civilization’s survival and satisfaction. From the inputs of raw materials, labor, land, transportation, power, and infrastructure to the process and activities needed to convert those raw materials into finished products, we must conceive of industrial systems as a whole. Too often, industrial sectors operate in fragmented silos striving to reach arbitrary and, at times, conflicting goals. </h2></br>


<div style='margin-left: 78%;'>-Michael Sussman</div>
</br>
Too often, industrial sectors operate in fragmented silos striving to reach arbitrary and, at times, conflicting goals. Supply chain shortcomings came into public view during COVID-19 when goods were stalled for months at ports and intermodal transfer points. The Biden administration responded with a massive public investment in infrastructure. Unfortunately, this precious capital is allotted for individual competing projects while overall system inefficiencies remain. Consequently, we continue to stimulate more highway-centric supply chain activity and underutilize railroad's energy, space, and capital efficiencies for moving heavy weight over land. Future economic growth and sustainability require a multimodal, balanced logistics network.


Consider how transportation has typically been planned, or more accurately, not planned. Supply chains have evolved as a chaotic response to individual shippers’ and developers' indiscriminate land transactions, regardless of the transportation inefficiencies those choices impose. Railroads, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports, trucking companies, distributors, and shippers operate in a competitive, and in some cases monopolistic, mode, neither of which allows for the collaboration needed for supply chain efficiency. Creating sustainable industrial systems compels us to transition to comprehensive supply chain, land use, and transportation planning that uses the most efficient mode for each step.  
Competition has limited the efficiency of our industrial systems. Supply chains have evolved as a chaotic response to individual shippers and developers' indiscriminate land transactions, regardless of the transportation inefficiencies those choices impose. How we move freight between industrial locations must be a central focus in industrial systems planning. North America currently underutilizes freight railroads despite the fact that rail is often economically, environmentally, and geographically superior to other modes of moving freight over land. Climate change, air pollution, congested highways, and dependence on oil diminish our quality of life. Railroads, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports, trucking companies, distributors, and shippers must cooperate and coordinate in transitioning to a comprehensive, multimodal supply chain. </br>


As a society, we aren’t lacking intelligence. What we lack is a communication framework that builds solutions without being derailed by excessive competition, mistrust, or vested interests focused on short-term profits and maintaining power. Over thirty years as trusted advisors working with thousands of partners from industry, government, academia, and community organizations, OnTrackNorthAmerica has developed a powerful tool for mobilizing the knowledge, intelligence, and goodwill all around us.
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Some claim we lack the trust and cooperation to overcome our overly competitive economic system. Yes, a profound shift is needed. If not transformed, this mistrust will cost us and our children the chance of a sustainable and profitable future. Fortunately, when we approach conversations in an open and accepting way, we inspire that trust and cooperation. In co-creating CAPSI, stakeholders envision, articulate, and commit to shared principles, protocols, and desired outcomes. When people shift from a competitive to a collaborative mindset, they can create policies, programs, and commercial opportunities that provide for the collective good.
As a society, we don’t lack intelligence. We lack a communication framework that builds solutions without being derailed by excessive competition, mistrust, or vested interests focused on short-term profits. OnTrackNorthAmerica uses IntelliSynthesis®, our patented inquiry-based methodology for efficiently gathering collective intelligence into productive solutions. Using the most advanced communication technology, we convene stakeholders in IntelliConferences to collaboratively design the most efficient action plans for industrial transportation. </br>


Using this collaborative method, we can create profitable and sustainable industrial systems. Despite preconceptions, addressing all elements of a system makes it easier, not more difficult, to build consensus and develop action plans. The more elements of a system we identify, measure, and consider, the more we turn its interactions into positive synergies rather than unintended negative consequences. New solutions appear that would have otherwise been concealed. The more voices included the greater and more lasting the return on stakeholders' investments.
</br>


Clean air, clean water, natural resources, transportation, and land must all be considered integral parts of industrial supply chain systems. Climate change is teaching us that the energy driving all supply chains must not only be clean but also used more efficiently if we are to survive. As individuals, we can only go so far; together, we will reach our highest potential by tapping into our collective intelligence.
<b>Michael Sussman</b> began his career in transportation in 1994 by launching Strategic Rail Finance, a North American transportation-industry consulting firm. He went on to found OnTrackNorthAmerica in 2007 advising private and public sector clients in 44 states and Canada.</br>


''         “These are powerful ambitions. Thankfully, we now have the tools to produce action plans for success. Time is of the essence. We live in a critical moment of potential environmental collapse alongside the need to expand economic vitality to more people. Redesigning industrial systems will deliver both environmental and economic sustainability. Join us in CAPSI for a brighter future!”''
</br>
<div style='margin-left: 22%;'>-Michael Sussman</div>
 
In 2023 OnTrackNorthAmerica led a four-county stakeholder process in New Mexico in the aftermath of a 450,000-acre forest fire. This work resulted in the New Mexico Forestry Business Plan.</br>
 
In 2021 OTNA convened hundreds of transportation stakeholders in the process of creating Nevada’s 2021 State Rail Plan, supporting the Nevada Department of Transportation in a new whole-systems paradigm for freight rail planning.</br>
 
On December 11, 2008, OTNA convened a five-hour summit of industry and government leaders in the U.S. Capitol Building to consider new collaborative approaches to freight transportation efficiency.</br>
 
On December 8, 1998, OTNA convened a rail transportation conference in the U.S. Capitol Building for 55 congressional staff, praised by many as the finest briefing they had ever attended.</br>
 
</br>
 
He has contributed considerable time to improving public policy by meeting with staff or leaders of 68 U.S. Senate offices and 135 U.S. House offices.  </br>
 
</br>
 
In March of 2011 Michael was the only private sector invitee to a U.S. House Railroad Subcommittee Staff Workshop exploring ways to improve the FRA RRIF loan program.</br>
 
:On February 17, 2011, Michael testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Railroad Subcommittee on reforms to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program.</br>
 
On October 19, 2005, Michael spoke before the Surface Transportation Board on the 25th anniversary of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980.</br>
 
</br>
 
Those efforts were acknowledged </br>
 
On April 5th, 2024, Michal received the President’s Award from the Transportation Research Forum.</br>
 
Thank you letters from Republican House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf and Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller’s Chief of Staff.</br>
 
In 2003 he contributed to Washington State produce shippers by designing and writing important elements of the Washington State Produce Railcar Pool Act as passed by the 2003 state legislature.</br>
 
In 1999 he worked with the Federal Railroad Administration to eliminate audited financial statement requirements for Class II and III railroads from the Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing Act (RRIF loan program).</br>
 
In November of 1997 he was responsible for having freight rail projects made eligible in H.R.115 – the National Infrastructure Development Act.</br>
 
</br>
 
Michael has had several academic collaborators over the years to help bring focus to the pressing matters of our time:</br>
 
Penn State’s Center for Research in Conflict and Negotiation. Dr. Barbara Gray the former director of the Center, wrote me a letter of support.</br>
 
Partnering with the University of Tennessee to create the Land Freight Lifecycle Impact Calculator.</br>
 
Michael hosted at Temple University to deliver on December 5th, 2023 the OnTrack2025 IntelliConference.</br>
 
</br>
 
Michael has had articles published in several transportation industry journals.</br>
 
Railway Age, December 2014, “Revitalizing Direct Rail Service”</br>
 
Railway Age, April 2011, “A RRIF-Centered Capitalization Growth Strategy”</br>
 
Railway Age, September 2008, “Leveraging Capital for the Entire Industry”</br>
 
Transportation Quarterly, Fall 2002, “Regional and Short Line Railroads in the United States”</br>
 
Association of Transportation Law, Logistics & Policy, Fall 2000, “Assessing the Process of Creating the RRIF Program”</br>
 
Progressive Railroading, June 1998, “Getting a Lender’s Attention”</br>
 
:</br>

Revision as of 18:22, 12 September 2024

OnTrackNorthAmerica is a nonprofit transportation consultancy and think tank committed to co-leading society in redesigning our industrial systems to support sustainable life. Industrial systems are the complete set of commercial, policy, and planning activities that deliver materials and products for modern civilization’s survival and satisfaction. From the inputs of raw materials, labor, land, transportation, power, and infrastructure to the process and activities needed to convert those raw materials into finished products, we must conceive of industrial systems as a whole. Too often, industrial sectors operate in fragmented silos striving to reach arbitrary and, at times, conflicting goals.



Competition has limited the efficiency of our industrial systems. Supply chains have evolved as a chaotic response to individual shippers and developers' indiscriminate land transactions, regardless of the transportation inefficiencies those choices impose. How we move freight between industrial locations must be a central focus in industrial systems planning. North America currently underutilizes freight railroads despite the fact that rail is often economically, environmentally, and geographically superior to other modes of moving freight over land. Climate change, air pollution, congested highways, and dependence on oil diminish our quality of life. Railroads, ocean carriers, freight forwarders, ports, trucking companies, distributors, and shippers must cooperate and coordinate in transitioning to a comprehensive, multimodal supply chain.


As a society, we don’t lack intelligence. We lack a communication framework that builds solutions without being derailed by excessive competition, mistrust, or vested interests focused on short-term profits. OnTrackNorthAmerica uses IntelliSynthesis®, our patented inquiry-based methodology for efficiently gathering collective intelligence into productive solutions. Using the most advanced communication technology, we convene stakeholders in IntelliConferences to collaboratively design the most efficient action plans for industrial transportation.


Michael Sussman began his career in transportation in 1994 by launching Strategic Rail Finance, a North American transportation-industry consulting firm. He went on to found OnTrackNorthAmerica in 2007 advising private and public sector clients in 44 states and Canada.


In 2023 OnTrackNorthAmerica led a four-county stakeholder process in New Mexico in the aftermath of a 450,000-acre forest fire. This work resulted in the New Mexico Forestry Business Plan.

In 2021 OTNA convened hundreds of transportation stakeholders in the process of creating Nevada’s 2021 State Rail Plan, supporting the Nevada Department of Transportation in a new whole-systems paradigm for freight rail planning.

On December 11, 2008, OTNA convened a five-hour summit of industry and government leaders in the U.S. Capitol Building to consider new collaborative approaches to freight transportation efficiency.

On December 8, 1998, OTNA convened a rail transportation conference in the U.S. Capitol Building for 55 congressional staff, praised by many as the finest briefing they had ever attended.


He has contributed considerable time to improving public policy by meeting with staff or leaders of 68 U.S. Senate offices and 135 U.S. House offices.


In March of 2011 Michael was the only private sector invitee to a U.S. House Railroad Subcommittee Staff Workshop exploring ways to improve the FRA RRIF loan program.

On February 17, 2011, Michael testified before the U.S. House of Representatives Railroad Subcommittee on reforms to the Federal Railroad Administration’s Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing (RRIF) program.

On October 19, 2005, Michael spoke before the Surface Transportation Board on the 25th anniversary of the Staggers Rail Act of 1980.


Those efforts were acknowledged

On April 5th, 2024, Michal received the President’s Award from the Transportation Research Forum.

Thank you letters from Republican House Transportation Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Frank Wolf and Democratic Senator Jay Rockefeller’s Chief of Staff.

In 2003 he contributed to Washington State produce shippers by designing and writing important elements of the Washington State Produce Railcar Pool Act as passed by the 2003 state legislature.

In 1999 he worked with the Federal Railroad Administration to eliminate audited financial statement requirements for Class II and III railroads from the Railroad Rehabilitation & Improvement Financing Act (RRIF loan program).

In November of 1997 he was responsible for having freight rail projects made eligible in H.R.115 – the National Infrastructure Development Act.


Michael has had several academic collaborators over the years to help bring focus to the pressing matters of our time:

Penn State’s Center for Research in Conflict and Negotiation. Dr. Barbara Gray the former director of the Center, wrote me a letter of support.

Partnering with the University of Tennessee to create the Land Freight Lifecycle Impact Calculator.

Michael hosted at Temple University to deliver on December 5th, 2023 the OnTrack2025 IntelliConference.


Michael has had articles published in several transportation industry journals.

Railway Age, December 2014, “Revitalizing Direct Rail Service”

Railway Age, April 2011, “A RRIF-Centered Capitalization Growth Strategy”

Railway Age, September 2008, “Leveraging Capital for the Entire Industry”

Transportation Quarterly, Fall 2002, “Regional and Short Line Railroads in the United States”

Association of Transportation Law, Logistics & Policy, Fall 2000, “Assessing the Process of Creating the RRIF Program”

Progressive Railroading, June 1998, “Getting a Lender’s Attention”

:

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