His next step was to integrate the rail-freight transport system with the ports.

ECONOMIST: Face value

Mineta cited the freight rail system as one area of concern.

CNN: Mineta: System 'safe' and 'secure'

Weekly traffic reports also show intermodal freight, or the system of putting tractor-trailer boxes on trains for more efficient cross-country transport, was up 4.4% in the week ending Oct. 1, and up 1.8% so far this year.

FORBES: Recovering Economy? Not If You're Counting Truckloads

The Columbia and Snake River system allows large volumes of freight to be moved with negligible impact on air quality, and replacing this transportation capacity would require use of 120, 000 rail cars or 700, 000 trucks.

CNN: Snake River dam resolution called unfair

"Passenger rail service, especially services at higher and high speeds, will require new safety rules, constant public capital investment and operating subsidies, and balance with freight rail service and the rest of the national transportation system -- and currently only some of these elements are in place, " according to a GAO report.

CNN: Is the U.S. turning a corner on high-speed rail?

Travel would be provided by a streamlined and refurbished underground system, which would also be used at night for transporting freight and goods into central London.

ECONOMIST: Cars