Author: John Sanders Miller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 62
Book Description
The Virginia General Assembly's House Budget Bill for the 2006-2008 biennium directed the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to update the status of a proposed passenger rail service, called the TransDominion Express (TDX), between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC. Although TDX has been studied five times prior to this report during the past 10 years, ridership estimates have varied substantially, from as small as 26,000 to as large as 500,000. Findings from this study are that the capital cost for infrastructure to support full service between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC, is estimated at approximately $206 million (in 2010 dollars). The annual operating cost for full service is estimated at $19 million (in 2010 dollars), presuming two round-trip visits to all stations. The annual ridership is estimated at 14,000 to 58,000. Based on the estimated ridership levels, annual revenue is projected to be between $0.4 million and $1.8 million in 2010 dollars. Based on the estimated annual operating cost of $19 million, an annual subsidy of between $17.2 million and $18.6 million will be required. However, estimated ridership varies by station location: e.g., it is estimated that 70% of TDX ridership would occur at stations between Lynchburg and Alexandria inclusive. Although each additional station might add riders, some stations would add more riders than others. These findings are tempered by the fact that any travel demand forecasts for TDX rely on 18 assumptions that are documented in Table 9 of this report. For example, this report assumes that a schedule identified in 2001 as feasible will remain feasible as two external circumstances affecting the feasibility of TDX evolve: the Heartland Corridor Double-Stack Initiative and the I-81 Rail Corridor Study, both of which may improve or adversely affect passenger operations. Other assumptions pertaining to the sensitivity of passenger travel demand to other factors, such as food service, seat comfort, and the accessibility of the station, are also noted in the report.
Update on Status of Proposed TransDominion Express (TDX) Passenger Rail Service
Author: John Sanders Miller
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 62
Book Description
The Virginia General Assembly's House Budget Bill for the 2006-2008 biennium directed the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to update the status of a proposed passenger rail service, called the TransDominion Express (TDX), between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC. Although TDX has been studied five times prior to this report during the past 10 years, ridership estimates have varied substantially, from as small as 26,000 to as large as 500,000. Findings from this study are that the capital cost for infrastructure to support full service between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC, is estimated at approximately $206 million (in 2010 dollars). The annual operating cost for full service is estimated at $19 million (in 2010 dollars), presuming two round-trip visits to all stations. The annual ridership is estimated at 14,000 to 58,000. Based on the estimated ridership levels, annual revenue is projected to be between $0.4 million and $1.8 million in 2010 dollars. Based on the estimated annual operating cost of $19 million, an annual subsidy of between $17.2 million and $18.6 million will be required. However, estimated ridership varies by station location: e.g., it is estimated that 70% of TDX ridership would occur at stations between Lynchburg and Alexandria inclusive. Although each additional station might add riders, some stations would add more riders than others. These findings are tempered by the fact that any travel demand forecasts for TDX rely on 18 assumptions that are documented in Table 9 of this report. For example, this report assumes that a schedule identified in 2001 as feasible will remain feasible as two external circumstances affecting the feasibility of TDX evolve: the Heartland Corridor Double-Stack Initiative and the I-81 Rail Corridor Study, both of which may improve or adversely affect passenger operations. Other assumptions pertaining to the sensitivity of passenger travel demand to other factors, such as food service, seat comfort, and the accessibility of the station, are also noted in the report.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 62
Book Description
The Virginia General Assembly's House Budget Bill for the 2006-2008 biennium directed the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) to update the status of a proposed passenger rail service, called the TransDominion Express (TDX), between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC. Although TDX has been studied five times prior to this report during the past 10 years, ridership estimates have varied substantially, from as small as 26,000 to as large as 500,000. Findings from this study are that the capital cost for infrastructure to support full service between Bristol, Richmond, and Washington, DC, is estimated at approximately $206 million (in 2010 dollars). The annual operating cost for full service is estimated at $19 million (in 2010 dollars), presuming two round-trip visits to all stations. The annual ridership is estimated at 14,000 to 58,000. Based on the estimated ridership levels, annual revenue is projected to be between $0.4 million and $1.8 million in 2010 dollars. Based on the estimated annual operating cost of $19 million, an annual subsidy of between $17.2 million and $18.6 million will be required. However, estimated ridership varies by station location: e.g., it is estimated that 70% of TDX ridership would occur at stations between Lynchburg and Alexandria inclusive. Although each additional station might add riders, some stations would add more riders than others. These findings are tempered by the fact that any travel demand forecasts for TDX rely on 18 assumptions that are documented in Table 9 of this report. For example, this report assumes that a schedule identified in 2001 as feasible will remain feasible as two external circumstances affecting the feasibility of TDX evolve: the Heartland Corridor Double-Stack Initiative and the I-81 Rail Corridor Study, both of which may improve or adversely affect passenger operations. Other assumptions pertaining to the sensitivity of passenger travel demand to other factors, such as food service, seat comfort, and the accessibility of the station, are also noted in the report.
Virginia State Documents
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : State government publications
Languages : en
Pages : 204
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : State government publications
Languages : en
Pages : 204
Book Description
I-81 Corridor Improvement Study, from the Tennessee Border to the West Virginia Border, Tier 1
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 892
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 892
Book Description
Journal of the Senate of Virginia
Author: Virginia. General Assembly. Senate
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Virginia
Languages : en
Pages : 736
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Virginia
Languages : en
Pages : 736
Book Description
A Study of the Proposed Virginia Rail Transportation Development Authority
Author: Roger W. Howe
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 150
Book Description
Virginia Senate Bill 1279 (2003) calls for the creation of the Virginia Rail Transportation Development Authority. The purpose of this authority is "to finance or assist in the financing of the construction, repair, renovation, restoration, acquisition, and extension of rail lines, equipment, and facilities in the Commonwealth, including rolling stock, shops, terminals, bridges, tunnels, and any other passenger rail or freight rail facilities, equipment or infrastructure, upon a determination by the Authority that such action is in the public interest." Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 354 provided the argument for creating the new rail authority: (1) appropriate investments in railroad infrastructure will divert passenger and freight traffic from the highways to the railroads; (2) this will reduce the need for highway maintenance and construction, and it will reduce congestion, promote safety, and make it possible to avoid significant air and water pollution; (3) the railroads in Virginia do not have the financial resources to make the needed investments; thus, (4) a new rail authority is needed to finance or assist in the financing of the needed investments. The authors investigated rail authorities in other states in hopes of finding a model for the new rail authority. This survey did not provide any straightforward and unambiguous model for the "appropriate" structures and powers of the new authority. An examination of the Virginia Port Authority proved to be illuminating. It seems reasonable to attribute a significant part of the Virginia Port Authority's success to its "independence" from state government. Its "independence" allows it to function as a business with little interference from state government. The authors examined three options for satisfying the needs that were to be fulfilled by creating the new authority: (1) create an independent rail authority, (2) create a new rail agency within the government, or (3) provide the powers needed (such as bonding) to a rail agency that already exists: the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. A range of financial options that could be used by the new authority to mobilize additional capital for investment in rail is discussed. The authors also discuss the different ways that an authority could involve itself in the rail transport sector. Finally, the report addresses the question whether the new rail authority would violate the Constitution of Virginia. The authors argue that the chances (with some caveats) of withstanding a constitutional challenge are good.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 150
Book Description
Virginia Senate Bill 1279 (2003) calls for the creation of the Virginia Rail Transportation Development Authority. The purpose of this authority is "to finance or assist in the financing of the construction, repair, renovation, restoration, acquisition, and extension of rail lines, equipment, and facilities in the Commonwealth, including rolling stock, shops, terminals, bridges, tunnels, and any other passenger rail or freight rail facilities, equipment or infrastructure, upon a determination by the Authority that such action is in the public interest." Virginia Senate Joint Resolution 354 provided the argument for creating the new rail authority: (1) appropriate investments in railroad infrastructure will divert passenger and freight traffic from the highways to the railroads; (2) this will reduce the need for highway maintenance and construction, and it will reduce congestion, promote safety, and make it possible to avoid significant air and water pollution; (3) the railroads in Virginia do not have the financial resources to make the needed investments; thus, (4) a new rail authority is needed to finance or assist in the financing of the needed investments. The authors investigated rail authorities in other states in hopes of finding a model for the new rail authority. This survey did not provide any straightforward and unambiguous model for the "appropriate" structures and powers of the new authority. An examination of the Virginia Port Authority proved to be illuminating. It seems reasonable to attribute a significant part of the Virginia Port Authority's success to its "independence" from state government. Its "independence" allows it to function as a business with little interference from state government. The authors examined three options for satisfying the needs that were to be fulfilled by creating the new authority: (1) create an independent rail authority, (2) create a new rail agency within the government, or (3) provide the powers needed (such as bonding) to a rail agency that already exists: the Department of Rail and Public Transportation. A range of financial options that could be used by the new authority to mobilize additional capital for investment in rail is discussed. The authors also discuss the different ways that an authority could involve itself in the rail transport sector. Finally, the report addresses the question whether the new rail authority would violate the Constitution of Virginia. The authors argue that the chances (with some caveats) of withstanding a constitutional challenge are good.
Funding Strategies and Project Costs for State-supported Intercity Passenger Rail
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
This report documents an investigation into project costs and funding strategies that U.S. states and coalitions of states use to fund intercity passenger rail projects. Four states (California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) and one multi-state corridor (the Pacific Northwest Corridor in Washington and Oregon) with documented histories of funding intercity passenger rail projects were selected for in-depth review. Factors that were considered in the case studies included: state-level funding sources, project costs, and estimated costs for future projects. A secondary goal of this research was to develop project cost analysis tools, such as a cost-per-mile index, for use by state rail planners in evaluating proposed intercity passenger rail projects. The research team concluded that the development of universally applicable cost-per-mile indices for intercity rail was infeasible at present due to the great number of variables involved in rail construction and the relatively small sample size of recent, comparable projects. Variables involved include project-specific factors such as terrain type, drainage requirements, regional labor and material costs, signalization and communication upgrade requirements, and the condition/track classification/traffic levels of existing infrastructure. As a result, researchers developed example project cost data and model cost ranges by project type.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Railroads
Languages : en
Pages : 166
Book Description
This report documents an investigation into project costs and funding strategies that U.S. states and coalitions of states use to fund intercity passenger rail projects. Four states (California, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia) and one multi-state corridor (the Pacific Northwest Corridor in Washington and Oregon) with documented histories of funding intercity passenger rail projects were selected for in-depth review. Factors that were considered in the case studies included: state-level funding sources, project costs, and estimated costs for future projects. A secondary goal of this research was to develop project cost analysis tools, such as a cost-per-mile index, for use by state rail planners in evaluating proposed intercity passenger rail projects. The research team concluded that the development of universally applicable cost-per-mile indices for intercity rail was infeasible at present due to the great number of variables involved in rail construction and the relatively small sample size of recent, comparable projects. Variables involved include project-specific factors such as terrain type, drainage requirements, regional labor and material costs, signalization and communication upgrade requirements, and the condition/track classification/traffic levels of existing infrastructure. As a result, researchers developed example project cost data and model cost ranges by project type.
The Great Railroad Revolution
Author: Christian Wolmar
Publisher: PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1610391802
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 450
Book Description
America was made by the railroads. The opening of the Baltimore & Ohio line -- the first American railroad -- in the 1830s sparked a national revolution in the way that people lived thanks to the speed and convenience of train travel. Promoted by visionaries and built through heroic effort, the American railroad network was bigger in every sense than Europe's, and facilitated everything from long-distance travel to commuting and transporting goods to waging war. It united far-flung parts of the country, boosted economic development, and was the catalyst for America's rise to world-power status. Every American town, great or small, aspired to be connected to a railroad and by the turn of the century, almost every American lived within easy access of a station. By the early 1900s, the United States was covered in a latticework of more than 200,000 miles of railroad track and a series of magisterial termini, all built and controlled by the biggest corporations in the land. The railroads dominated the American landscape for more than a hundred years but by the middle of the twentieth century, the automobile, the truck, and the airplane had eclipsed the railroads and the nation started to forget them. In The Great Railroad Revolution, renowned railroad expert Christian Wolmar tells the extraordinary story of the rise and the fall of the greatest of all American endeavors, and argues that the time has come for America to reclaim and celebrate its often-overlooked rail heritage.
Publisher: PublicAffairs
ISBN: 1610391802
Category : Transportation
Languages : en
Pages : 450
Book Description
America was made by the railroads. The opening of the Baltimore & Ohio line -- the first American railroad -- in the 1830s sparked a national revolution in the way that people lived thanks to the speed and convenience of train travel. Promoted by visionaries and built through heroic effort, the American railroad network was bigger in every sense than Europe's, and facilitated everything from long-distance travel to commuting and transporting goods to waging war. It united far-flung parts of the country, boosted economic development, and was the catalyst for America's rise to world-power status. Every American town, great or small, aspired to be connected to a railroad and by the turn of the century, almost every American lived within easy access of a station. By the early 1900s, the United States was covered in a latticework of more than 200,000 miles of railroad track and a series of magisterial termini, all built and controlled by the biggest corporations in the land. The railroads dominated the American landscape for more than a hundred years but by the middle of the twentieth century, the automobile, the truck, and the airplane had eclipsed the railroads and the nation started to forget them. In The Great Railroad Revolution, renowned railroad expert Christian Wolmar tells the extraordinary story of the rise and the fall of the greatest of all American endeavors, and argues that the time has come for America to reclaim and celebrate its often-overlooked rail heritage.
Transportation Conformity
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 24
Book Description
Transportation conformity is required under the Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 176(c) to ensure that Federally-supported transportation activities are consistent with (“conform to”) the purpose of a State Implementation Plan (SIP). Transportation conformity establishes the framework for improving air quality to protect public health and the environment. Conformity to the purpose of the SIP means Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding and approvals are given to highway and transit activities that will not cause new air quality violations, worsen existing air quality violations, or delay timely attainment of the relevant air quality standard, or any interim milestone. This Guide was prepared to help State and local officials understand transportation conformity and how conformity requirements relate to transportation investments in their communities. Specifically, the implications of conformity on metropolitan transportation plans, transportation improvement programs (TIPs), and transportation projects are discussed. The Guide provides overview information on the major elements of the conformity process and provides answers to basic questions. Several exhibits are included in the Guide to illustrate key elements of the conformity process. Appendices are also included that discuss the health effects of pollutants, options to reduce on-road mobile source emissions, and resource agency contacts.
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 24
Book Description
Transportation conformity is required under the Clean Air Act (CAA) Section 176(c) to ensure that Federally-supported transportation activities are consistent with (“conform to”) the purpose of a State Implementation Plan (SIP). Transportation conformity establishes the framework for improving air quality to protect public health and the environment. Conformity to the purpose of the SIP means Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding and approvals are given to highway and transit activities that will not cause new air quality violations, worsen existing air quality violations, or delay timely attainment of the relevant air quality standard, or any interim milestone. This Guide was prepared to help State and local officials understand transportation conformity and how conformity requirements relate to transportation investments in their communities. Specifically, the implications of conformity on metropolitan transportation plans, transportation improvement programs (TIPs), and transportation projects are discussed. The Guide provides overview information on the major elements of the conformity process and provides answers to basic questions. Several exhibits are included in the Guide to illustrate key elements of the conformity process. Appendices are also included that discuss the health effects of pollutants, options to reduce on-road mobile source emissions, and resource agency contacts.
Reverse Acronyms, Initialisms, & Abbreviations Dictionary
Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Abbreviations
Languages : en
Pages : 1452
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Abbreviations
Languages : en
Pages : 1452
Book Description
Journal of the House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia
Author: Virginia. General Assembly. House of Delegates
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Virginia
Languages : en
Pages : 1260
Book Description
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Virginia
Languages : en
Pages : 1260
Book Description