WELCOME ! 2011 Indiana State Rail Plan

Why is INDOT Completing a State Rail Plan? Provide guidance for future freight, passenger rail planning, investments, activities. The federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) of 2008 requires states to have approved State Rail Plans to be eligible for PRIIA and possible future federal rail financial assistance. To develop PRIIA compliant Rail Capital Programs which best achieve the transportation and transportation-related economic development goals of Indiana’s citizens.

What are the Primary Elements of the Rail Plan? Vision, Goals, Objectives for freight and passenger rail in Indiana Reflects consultation with stakeholders and general public Will guide actions, programs, priorities Rail System Inventory and Assessment Summarizes freight and passenger rail infrastructure and services within the state Assesses the performance of rail lines Identifies issues, opportunities, and needs Short term and long term investment program Prioritization and implementation plan

What is the Timing of the Rail Plan? Dec-10Jan-11Feb-11Mar-11Apr-11May-11Jun-11Jul-11Aug-11Sep-11Oct Interim Report Developed 2. Public Outreach Activities 3. Draft Rail Plan Completion 4. Draft Rail Plan Available for Public Review and Comment 5. Complete State Rail Plan

What are some of the Rail Programs that INDOT Funds or Administers? Industrial Rail Service Fund For small (Class II and III) freight railroads. Upgrade physical plant and assist in railroad track improvements related to new business development $1.5 to $1.7 million in grants per year Indiana Grade Crossing Fund Grants used to improve the safety of rail/highway grade crossings Administers Section 130 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing program Grants to improve train-activated warning devices at rail/highway grade crossings

What are some previous INDOT activities regarding passenger rail? One of nine member states in the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, an ongoing effort to develop and improve passenger rail in the Midwest, including high-speed rail service (80 – 110 mph) with shorter travel times. With the Illinois and Michigan DOTs, is developing a Service NEPA Environmental Assessment, Chicago-Detroit/Pontiac Rail Corridor Improvements from Chicago, Illinois to Pontiac, Michigan. In October 2009 submitted an application to the FRA for HSIPR Program for funding the Chicago-Cleveland High Speed Rail Project, which was estimated to cost $2.8 billion, would implement high speed rail services at speeds of up to 110 mph in the states of Indiana, Illinois and Ohio. Project was not selected for funding.

What has INDOT done to support passenger rail in the state? Continued August of 2009 submitted an application to the FRA for HSIPR Program for funding of the Indiana Rail Gateway Project, estimated to cost $71.4 million, would upgrade the NS Chicago-Cleveland line between Porter and the Indiana/Illinois state line. Project was selected for funding. Studied the potential for a high speed rail service between Indianapolis and Louisville. This service would replace the discontinued Amtrak Kentucky Cardinal and connect with the Cardinal and Hoosier State services in Indianapolis.

What is the extent of the Indiana’s freight rail network? 3 Class I (large) railroads and 39 Class II, III (small) railroads operate over almost 4,000 route miles of active rail lines in the state Indiana is ranked fourth in the nation for # of railroads operating and seventh in carloads handled Railroads in Indiana handled about 247 million tons and 5 million carloads of freight in 2009 Sources: INDOT Data, Association of American Railroads

What Is Carried by Indiana’s Freight Rail Network? Source: STB Carload Waybill Sample

Which Indiana Rail Lines Carry the Most Traffic? 2008 Millions of Gross Tons* per Mile *Weight of cargo + weight of railcars, locomotives Many of the most heavily used rail lines cross the northern portion of the state east/west *Weight of cargo + weight of railcars, locomotives Sources: INDOT, Federal Railroad Administration

What Are the Safety Trends Related to Rail in Indiana? Source: Federal Railroad Administration Rail-Related Accidents/Incidents Have Declined over the Past Decade

What are Some of the Benefits of Rail? Average Mileage One Gallon of Fuel Can Transport One Ton of Freight in – 2007 Fatalities per Billion Ton- Miles* Hauled Source: Texas Transportation Institute One Freight Train Can Carry the Equivalent of 280 Truckloads or More of Freight, Removing this Freight From Highways *A ton-mile is the movement of one ton of freight one mile

Where is Regular Passenger Rail Service Is Currently Available in Indiana? RouteIndiana Station Locations Amtrak New York – Chicago via Indianapolis Connersville, Indianapolis, Crawfordsville, Lafayette, Rensselaer, Dyer Amtrak Chicago – Washington via South Bend Waterloo, Elkhart, South Bend Amtrak Chicago – New York/Boston via South Bend Waterloo, Elkhart, South Bend Amtrak Chicago – Detroit/Pontiac Hammond-Whiting, Michigan City NICTD South Bend – Chicago Hammond, East Chicago, Gary, Portage, Chesterton, Michigan City, Hudson Lake, South Bend Note: Excludes tourist/excursion trains

What Passenger Rail Initiatives Have Been/Are Being Investigated? Indy Connect Potential Indianapolis Commuter Routes NICTD West Lake Corridor Study to Serve broader portions of Lake, Porter Counties Central Indiana Commuter Rail Feasibility Study to investigate service between Bloomington – Indianapolis-Muncie Commuter Rail Studies Midwest Regional Rail Initiative Ongoing effort to improve passenger rail service in Midwest Sponsored by transportation agencies from the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, and Wisconsin Increase train speeds to as high as 110 mph, frequency, on-time performance INDOT has also studied high speed rail on corridor between Indianapolis and Louisville

What are Some Rail Issues/Opportunities in Indiana? IssuesOpportunities Although abandonments have become less frequent, it is still important that low density rail lines remain viable Large forecasted increases in freight volumes will strain the rail network in the future Many small railroads are unable to accommodate industry standard heavy rail cars and/or operate rail lines in poor state of repair Proximity to Chicago has limited the ability to develop intermodal logics hub centers in Indiana Much of southern Indiana is served by light density, low capacity rail lines; the lack of North-South high density rail lines restricts access to growing Southern states High speed passenger rail could provide compelling transportation alternatives with societal benefits relative to driving or flying Congestion in Chicago and changing railroad practices could make Indiana more important to the U.S. intermodal rail system in the future Both freight and passenger rail can help to reduce roadway congestion in the future Improved rail service can benefit economic development in Indiana by attracting industries and lowering industry transportation costs Grade crossing safety can be further improved through continued improvements to driver education, crossing closures, and warning device improvements