Webinar:
Phoenix, Arizona
December 18, 2013 © 2013, All Rights Reserved. 1
Overview of
Regional Commuter Rail
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/Projects/
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MAG 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 completed in 2010 to
evaluate passenger rail service on existing BNSF Railway and
Union Pacific Railroad freight corridors and possible extensions.
Prioritized implementation through:
Ridership Potential
Operating Strategies
Capital and Operating Costs
Governance and Operating Agency
System study recommends corridor ranking, ADOT
coordination, further studies, and immediate next steps.
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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).
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PEER REGIONS ~ COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEMS
SOUNDER-Seattle CALTRAIN-San Francisco ALTAMONT COMMUTER EXPRESS – San Jose METROLINK – Los Angeles
COASTER – San Diego FRONT RUNNER – Salt Lake City-Ogden RAILRUNNER – Albuquerque-Santa Fe TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESS – Dallas-Ft. Worth
NORTHSTAR – Minneapolis- Big Lake WES – Portland CapMetroRail – Austin A-TRAIN – Denton
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AMERICAN / CANADIAN COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEMS
Los Angeles San Diego
San Jose San Francisco
Philadelphia
New York City
“Heritage” Systems (Pre-1985)
“New” Systems (Since 1985)
Opened in 2012
Proposed, planned or in design
Seattle
Montréal
Miami
Vancouver
Ft Worth Dallas
Nashville Santa Fe Albuquerque
Chicago Newark
Boston
Baltimore Washington DC
Toronto
Phoenix
Portland
Salt Lake City
Oceanside
Austin
Denton
Minneapolis
Denver
Atlanta
Houston
Marin-Sonoma
Springfield
Scranton
Charlotte
Detroit
Orlando
Anchorage/Mat-Su
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36 miles / 42 min.
31 miles / 47 min.
18 miles / 29 min.
34 miles / 46 min.
OVERALL MOST PRODUCTIVE COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEM 2030 DAILY CRT BOARDINGS BY STATION
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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.
© 2012, All Rights Reserved. 11
COMMUTER RAIL
IMPLEMENTATION STEPS
1. Continued coordination with ADOT and railroads (ADOT Passenger Rail Study to be completed in fall 2014)
2. Determine liability and indemnification statutes (State Legislature)
3. Regional Sustainable Transportation and Land Use Integration Study (completed in Summer 2013)
4. Identify local funding
5. Develop and implement governance plan
6. Railroad agreements
7. Design and construction
8. Operation
3-5 years (avg.)
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THANK YOU & QUESTIONS?
Marc Pearsall
Transit Planner III ~ Rail
Maricopa Association Of Governments(MAG)
602 254-6300 / email: [email protected]
© 2013, All Rights Reserved.
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