The Midwest Regional Rail System: A Transportation Network for the 21st Century study examines the Midwest Rail Initiative, the ongoing effort to develop an improved and expanded passenger rail system in the Midwest. In addition, the study assesses the recommendation plan proposed in the Midwest Regional Rail System Plan that was published in 1998 as well as several issues that have emerged from the 1998 plan such as operational requirements of implementing such an extensive rail system. Many details are reported, but one of the major findings include that the proposed rail system will help reduce travel time between Milwaukee and Chicago.