High Speed Transit Corridor Studies Rail/Freight Session 2011 ITE/MSA Spring Conference Black Canyon Conference Center Phoenix, Arizona March 9, 2011
The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is the designated metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation planning in the Maricopa County region. MAG is responsible for developing a regional transportation plan (RTP). The RTP, approved by voters in November 2004, provides a broad vision for the regional transportation system for the next two decades. The RTP includes many different modes of transportation including freeways, streets, and transit. MAG also engages in studies to evaluate future transportation alternatives and opportunities, including commuter rail. Website - www.azmag.gov
Peer Regions ~ Commuter Rail Systems WHAT IS COMMUTER RAIL? Peak Period, Peak Direction Service. Traditionally caries less daily riders than light rail, but for longer distances. Similar market and characteristics with Bus Rapid Transit / Express. Can share railroad right of way (row) and track with freight railroads and can operate concurrently (does not require exclusive right-of-way). Typically longer station spacing (every 3-7 miles on average) than light rail (1-2 miles) with emphasis on park-and-rides and traditional city central business districts (CBDs). Locomotive technology (diesel or clean/green hybrid Genset). Passenger coaches (push-pull). Engines and cars meets federally mandated structural requirements for rolling stock crash resistance Larger, heavier profile than light rail vehicles. Higher max. speed (79mph), slower acceleration/deceleration than light rail. Average speed approx 44mph. Lower capital cost per mile($10-$20m) due to existing right of way use/ reuse. Light rail traditionally ($40-$80M).
Peer Regions ~ Commuter Rail Systems SOUNDER-Seattle Seattle CALTRAIN-San Francisco ALTAMONT COMMUTER EXPRESS San Jose METROLINK Los Angeles COASTER San Diego FRONT RUNNER Salt Lake City-Ogden RAIL RUNNER Albuquerque-Santa Fe TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESS Dallas-Ft. Worth NORTHSTAR Minneapolis- Big Lake
Vancouver Seattle North American Commuter Rail Systems San Francisco San Jose Portland Marin-Sonoma Stockton Boise Salt Lake City Denver Minneapolis Chicago Kansas City Detroit Toronto Springfield Montréal Boston Scranton New York City Newark Philadelphia Baltimore Washington DC Los Angeles San Diego Oceanside Phoenix Santa Fe Albuquerque Ft Worth Austin San Antonio Denton Dallas Houston Nashville Atlanta Charlotte Orlando Anchorage Mat-Su Miami Heritage Systems (Pre-1985) New Systems (Since 1985) Opening in 2012 Proposed, planned or in design
MAG Region System Study Corridors
System Study-Key y Elements Commuter Rail Operational Requirements Freight RR Corridors and Requirements Land Use/ Demographic Trends Multi-modal Connectivity Grand Ave. Corridor Development Plan Yuma West Corridor Development Plan System Study Corridor Evaluation/ Prioritization Intercity Corridors Statewide Rail Framework Corridors Implementation/ Coordination Recommendations
Commuter Rail System Study Multimodal RTP approved by voters in November 2004 Commuter rail study funds allocated to MAG in RTP Commuter rail Strategic Plan completed in 2008 Commuter rail System Studies Project added to MAG work program in January 2009, completed in 2010. Study purpose - Evaluate passenger rail service on existing freight corridors and possible extensions Prioritize implementation of commuter rail service through evaluation of: Ridership Potential Operating Strategies Capital and Operating Costs System study recommends: Corridor ranking, ADOT coordination, further studies, Next Steps
Corridor Prioritization: Segment #1
Daily Boardings per Revenue Mile Interlined Corridors 4.5 4.0 3.5 3.1 Boardings pe r Revenue Mile 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 2.8 20 2.0 2.5 2.6 National Average (1.5) 1.3 1.8 1.9 1.0 0.5 0.0 GRAND-SE (Interline) YUMA-SE (Interline) GRAND-SE & YUMA-SE GRAND-SE & YUMA-TEMPE YUMA-SE & GRAND-TEMPE GRAND-CH & YUMA-CH GRAND-CH & YUMA-TEMPE YUMA-CH & GRAND-TEMPE
Overall Most Productive Commuter Rail System 2030 Daily CRT Boardings by Station 2,830 boardings 36 miles / 42 min. 1,420 boardings 31 miles / 47 min. 6,450 boardings 34 miles / 46 min. 950 boardings 18 miles / 29 min.
Potential Corridor Extensions (Existing i railroad lines, historic i railroad corridors and new rights of way)
MAG Regional Council (May 26, 2010) 1. Accepted the findings of the Grand Avenue Commuter Rail Corridor Development Plan, Yuma West Commuter Rail Corridor Development Plan, and Commuter Rail System Study 2. Revise the corridor ranking included in the Commuter Rail System Study upon the completion of update regional socioeconomic forecasts or relevant passenger rail studies.
Commuter Rail Implementation 1. Continued coordination with ADOT and railroads 2. Determine liability and indemnification statutes 3. Regional Sustainable Transportation and Land Use Integration Study 4. Identify local funding 5. Develop and implement governance plan 6. Railroad agreements 7. Design and construction 8. Operation
Western High Speed Rail Alliance/ State Rail Plan Update
WHSRA members Nevada DOT / Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (Las Vegas) have made progress with Federal Railroad Administration on high speed rail studies. Funding had been allocated by the FRA in late 2010 for high speed rail corridor studies between Phoenix, Los Angeles and Las Vegas, also known as The Golden Triangle, and additional details are forthcoming. The Golden Triangle www.whsra.com www.whsra.com
COORDINATION WITH BUILDING A QUALITY ARIZONA ~ STATE RAIL PLAN The Arizona State Rail Plan is the next step in implementing the Statewide Rail Framework for passenger and freight rail transportation in Arizona. Building on the Statewidet Rail Framework, the Plan will achieve the following objectives: Identify 20-year rail projects and initiatives. Prioritize rail investments that need to be made to achieve Arizona s vision and goals. Develop the decision-making process for rail investments. MAG is also coordinating with ADOT to assist in implementing MAG Region goals/objectives as identified within the new ADOT/BQAZ State Rail Plan. Completed State Rail Plan is a federal requirement for federal funding participation in state rail studies. Draft State Rail Plan was presented to the State Transportation Board on Monday January 10, 2011. Comments and suggestions from the Board incorporated into Final Draft and adopted on March 18, 2011. Final draft will be submitted to FRA in spring/summer 2011. FRA encourages thatt the plan be updated d and revised annually by ADOT, as it is considered a dynamic, ever-changing document.
www.whsra.com AN OPPORTUNITY FOR HSR IN THE GOLDEN TRIANGLE As highway h capacity between major metropolitan centers becomes increasingly i overburdened, d the corresponding options for expansion are also increasingly limited. Environmental challenges, right-of-way constraints, escalating costs and the limits of highway technology all contribute to the demise of unlimited highway expansion. Connecting the western U.S. would be the first step toward reducing air traffic and highway congestion, while in turn increasing interstate highway capacity for trucking and improving air quality by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Connecting Western states via high-speed rail is the future of our nation.
Intercity Rail AA / EIS Study Phoenix - Tucson
High Speed Transit Corridor Studies QUESTIONS? 2011 ITE/MSA - Spring Conference Phoenix, Arizona March 9, 2011