Two guys that "get it"

Trains Magazine Passenger
1

http://blogs.ajc.com/atlanta-forward/2013/06/25/multimodal-passenger-terminal/

Friedmann: “That’s why Norfolk Southern lacks capacity for new passenger trains inside Atlanta’s perimeter. Can new capacity be created? Sure, with tough choices about new passenger rights of way and public investment. Those choices should be part of any discussion about the MMPT.”

Alexander: "Norfolk Southern’s letter does not close the door. It is instead an opening gambit. The railroads have long lists of things they want so they can serve their customers efficiently. Public funds may not only help the railroads ease their congestion issues, but they may also “pay the price” for future access for passenger trains.

But for that to happen, politicians, planners and activists need to start talking with the railroads, rather than at them as they often do. It’s hard to do, but necessary. The future depends upon it."

2

What is the definition of volume ? Is it ton miles, # of cars, # of miles, same # of track miles, etc

3

Yes. [:)] All of them.

(but, in this case, it’s “units” - containers and trailers for Intermodal plus cars for merchandise and unit traffic.)

4

So the intermodal terminal north of Austell which did not even exist earlier and serves by drayage Columbus, Macon Winder, Gainesville, Rome, Bremen, etc are now included ?

5

Yes, but the volume isn’t just traffic to/from Atlanta - it includes all the through traffic.