The U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) is considering a rule that could increase the economic cost of shipping by rail without providing any benefits. That’s a bad idea.

At issue is a policy called reciprocal switching, where a company shipping something by freight rail obtains access to a competing railroad’s track, equipment and facilities for transport between two points generally served by only one competing railroad. This access is available today under commercially negotiated agreements between railroads.

Read Dr. Jamison’s complete Op-Ed at RealClearMarkets