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20 Guidebook for Implementing Passenger Rail Service on Shared Passenger and Freight Corridors
Another factor in facilitating agreements may be the state's freight rail transportation programs.
Many states have a freight rail program aimed at enhancing rail access for the region's industry and
commerce and preserving lower-volume rail service where it is important to the local economy. In
addition, state and local government agencies interact with freight railroads in many areas other
than direct support for rail facilities and may have a number of discussions in progress at any one
time. In some cases, it may be possible to incorporate both passenger and freight elements into a
combined transportation initiative involving the freight railroad. In other areas, it may be possible
to leverage a positive relationship with a freight railroad to enhance the chance of reaching agree-
ment on a passenger rail project.
2.3.2 The Feasibility Study
After the initial contacts with the railroad, the next step in developing a new passenger rail ser-
vice is to perform a feasibility study or build on existing studies to include detailed analysis of the
proposed route, service, and operations. The feasibility study is a vital step in moving from plan-
ning and informational contacts with the host railroad to substantive negotiations. This discus-
sion concentrates on aspects of a feasibility study relevant to negotiations with the host railroad
and Amtrak.
The inputs for the feasibility study include any prior studies for passenger rail in the region
served by the proposed service, the State Rail Plan (where available), the vision for the proposed
service, any other previous studies, and railroad inputs. The scope and objectives for the study
would have been discussed between the passenger rail agency, the host railroad, and Amtrak where
applicable, at initial meetings. They are likely to include the following elements:
· A staged plan for the introduction and growth of the proposed service. This plan includes
target journey times, planned station locations, daily trips with target departure times in each
direction, and anticipated freight service on the corridor at each stage. It is assumed that passen-
ger ridership and revenue estimates are available, indicating that the planned level of service at
each would be adequately patronized, but this is not specifically part of an operational feasibil-
ity study. There does not have to be a schedule for implementing each stage, only a logical pro-
gression toward a final goal.
· Plans for infrastructure investments that would enable each stage of service growth to be
implemented while providing adequate facilities to meet the host railroad's goals for freight
service. The investments will include track quality upgrades, signal system upgrades, grade
crossing warning system improvements, crossing consolidations and grade separations, the
addition of passing sidings and/or a second track where required, and similar matters. Signal
system requirements for positive train control (PTC) and for speeds over 79 mph must be
included.
· Plans for station locations and facilities. These plans will include what buildings and facilities
(such as parking lots) are planned, access to the station for vehicles or pedestrians (especially
where access routes cross active tracks), safety of passengers while at the station and boarding
trains, and whether the passenger rail agency plans to acquire railroad property for station
buildings and facilities.
· An initial capital cost estimate for the first stage in developing the proposed service and an
outline of cost estimates for later stages. The capital cost estimates should include costs to be
borne by the passenger agency and the host railroad, where applicable.
· Initial estimates for operations and maintenance costs at each level of service. As for capital
costs, estimates should be detailed for the first stage and may be preliminary for later stages.
· Plans for funding capital and operating expenses, including from federal grant programs,
where applicable, as well as from state and local sources.
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Getting Started and Negotiations 21
· Requirements for passenger cars and locomotives or self-propelled passenger cars to support
the proposed services, including number of vehicles, performance requirements (e.g., top
speed, power/weight ratios), whether or not electrification is planned at some stage, and
whether the passenger rail agency or Amtrak will provide equipment.
The approach for a typical feasibility study is illustrated in Figure 2-2.
Some observations about the feasibility study follow:
· If at all possible, the host railroad should be closely involved in the feasibility study to facilitate
buy-in with the results. This involvement will help speed up the substantive negotiations and
Getting Started
Finalize scope and objectives in consultation with host railroad and Amtrak.
Select consultant (if required) and define participation by railroad and/or Amtrak,
including participation in oversight or review group, provision of data, and
involvement in analysis.
Prepare detailed work plan for study.
Define Service Goals
Target journey times and station locations.
Identify desired number of daily trips.
Set expected accommodations on train.
Identify needs for each stage of service development.
Service quality--on-time performance, maximum delays
Gather Data
Gather existing route information--number of tracks, location of passing sidings
and industry connections, signal systems, grades and curvature, posted speeds,
etc.
Gather existing freight and passenger traffic information (if any)--schedules and
types of trains (through or local freight, intercity or commuter).
Perform Operations Analyses
Perform preliminary capacity analyses and operations simulations, as discussed
in Section 3.2.
Perform train operations analysis to estimate car and locomotive needs.
Perform capital cost analysis, as discussed in Section 3.3, including for passenger
stations and maintenance facilities.
Perform operations and maintenance cost analysis, as discussed in Section 3.4.
Document Results
Gather results for each service development stage, which include:
Proposed physical infrastructure investments (track upgrades, sidings and
double track, signal systems, etc.).
Investment cost.
Expected service performance.
Operations and maintenance costs.
Passenger car and locomotive requirements.
Figure 2-2. Steps for completing a passenger rail service feasibility study.
