Post on 21-Dec-2015
The Future of Rail
Standing Committee on Rail Transportation (SCORT)September 20, 2010
Federal Railroad Administration
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The Plan:
• $50 billion up-front investment
• Establish infrastructure bank with public and private funding
• Construct and maintain 4,000 miles of rail
• Target investments at US DOT’s five key strategic goals
• Develop performance-driven program
• Streamline, modernize, and prioritize surface transportation investments
The President’s Infrastructure Proposal
“Over the next six years… we’re going to lay and maintain 4,000 miles of our railways – enough to stretch coast-to-coast.”
- President Obama in Milwaukee, WI September 6, 2010
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National Rail System Development
Principles of development:
• Strong national vision, leadership, and support
• State-led implementation
• Predictable and sustained funding
• National standards-settings
• Planned and phased system development
Interstate System routes designated in September 1955
Development approach modeled after Interstate Highway System
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Why do we need high-speed rail?
America is growing by 70 million people over next 25 years—80% of them will live in a “megaregion”
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How will high-speed rail help connect a growing America?
Half of the country’s flights
carry 30% of all passengers
and are less than 500 miles
Populatio
n Dens
ity
Intercity Distance in Miles
0-100 100-600 600-300
Light 1) Auto 1) Auto2) Conventional Rail
1) Auto2) Air
Moderate 1) Auto2) Commuter Rail
1) High-speed Rail2) Auto
1) Auto2) Air
High 1) Auto2) Commuter Rail
1) High-speed Rail2) Air 1) Air
Sweet Spot for High-Speed Rail
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World Passenger and Freight Rail Volume Comparisons
India
China
Europe
Japan
USA
- 200,000 400,000 600,000
431,707
428,509
232,905
158,574
5,784
Europe
India
Russia
China
USA
0 500 1000 1500 2000
240
298
1290
1373
1770
Passenger(million passenger-miles)
Freight(billion ton-miles)
Room for significant improvement
Maintain market share, grow domestic intermodal
What level of investment is needed to implement this program?
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Analysis of freight movements shows that the transportation system consistently moves 40 tons of freight per person per year 1.
Sources:1. Source: Commodity Flow Survey 1993-2007, US Census Bureau (Gross amount of aggregate, consumable and durable goods, waste, etc.)
Freight needs grow proportionally
Food
Fuel
Consumer goods
Autoparts
Building materials
Durablegoods
Chemicals
Raw Materials
When Population Grows
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Freight Transportation Mode Share
Tons
Truck 75%
Rail 15%
Wa-ter
3.50% Pipeline 5.60%
Ton-miles
Rail 39%
Truck 29%
Pipe-line 20%
Water 12%
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Freight Rail’s Strengths and Opportunities
Freight Transportation Mode Share by Distance Traveled
One long-distance, double-stack train from Chicago to Los Angeles
• Capitalize on inherent advantages over long distances
• Enhance capacity to reduce highway congestion, pavement wear, accidents, and harmful emissions
• Facilitate public/private partnerships for improvements with public benefits that are low priority for railroads
can replace 300 trucks and save 75,000 gallons of fuel.
= 3,000 gallons
= 10 trucks
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Ton-miles per gallon of diesel fuel
water
rail
truck
0 100200300400500600
576
413
110
Fatalities per billion ton-miles
Water Rail Truck
0
0.5
1
1.5
2
2.5
3
3.5
0.230.33000000
0000002
3.19
As one of the most fuel efficient and safest transportation modes, rail is positioned to offer the most significant contribution to improving America’s transportation system to accommodate forecast growth.
Relative Efficiency of Modes
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TIGER Funding
Freight Rail receives funding from Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery
Project State Tiger Grant Amount
Crescent Corridor Intermodal Freight Rail Project
TN, AL $105,000,000
CREATE Program Projects IL $100,000,000
National Gateway Freight Rail Corridor
OH, PA, WV, MD $98,000,000
Alameda Corridor: Colton Crossing CA $33,800,000
Port of Gulfport Rail Improvements MS $20,000,000
Appalachian Regional Short Line KY, WV, TN $17,551,028
Total $374,351,028
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NEPA/ Environmental
Engineering Documents
Service Planning
Financial Planning
Agreements• Host Railroad • Operator • Other
Understanding the Process
Lessons Learned
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"The future does not belong to those who are content with today, apathetic toward common problems and their fellow man alike, timid and fearful in the face of bold projects and new ideas. Rather, it will belong to those who can blend passion, reason and courage in a personal commitment to the ideals of American society.“
Robert Francis Kennedy
Conclusion