1. 2017 SCORT Conference Washington, DC
Rail Plan Review
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2017 SCORT Conference
Washington, DC

2. Current Rail Impact to Virginia

3. Rail Plan: Approach Data Collection Chapter Development Outreach
Passenger Ridership
Freight Commodity Flows
Class I / III Profiles
Socioeconomic
Chapter Development
Draft Chapter 1: FRA Role of Rail
Draft Chapter 2: FRA Existing Conditions
In Development: Chapter 3 & 4 Unconstrained Project List
Outreach
Rail Plan Website (varailplan.org)
SYIP Public Meetings
Public Survey
Stakeholder Workshop

4. Stakeholder Workshop 1: Outreach Results
Stakeholder Responses
How should Virginia prioritize future freight rail service decisions?
Increased speed/reliability to existing distributors
Increased access to new distributors
Alleviate network bottlenecks
Expanded incentive programs
Construction of new routes to accommodate economic growth

5. Virginia Railroad Association
Sidings and Storage
Update Guidelines
Improve Split/Clawback
Lack Connectivity with General Public
Would Use Economic Analysis Data
Improve Highway Operations
Improve Rail Operations
Increase Rail Preservation
Handle Size/Type of Class I Volume
Bridges
Grade Separated Crossings
Industrial Access
Public Profile

6. Public Survey Public Survey: Outreach Results - Less than 1 min.
- Promote Plan
- 50+ Respondents
- 87% Urban Crescent
- 1,000 people “reached”

7. Outreach Results Last Mile Connections
Increased Frequency on Existing Lines
Improved Reliability on Existing Lines
Policies that Promote Operational Efficiency
Increased Funding Programs
Alleviate Chokepoints
Develop Third-Party Policy Guidance
Goals

8. Statewide Economic Analysis

9. Statewide Economic Analysis

10. Rail Plan: Going further
Context in Virginia
Goals
Economic Impact
Policies
Document Structure
Data Analysis
Federal Funding
2017 Virginia Rail Plan
Minimum Requirements

11. 2017 VA Rail Plan – Moving Forward
Defining VA Investment Priorities
Freight vs Passenger
Incremental vs Corridor Development
Defining VA Policies
Station Development
Modal Connectivity
Inter-State Cooperation
Public Ownership
Return on Investment
Defining VA Goals
Existing vs New Service
Speed vs Reliability
Operation vs Capacity
Rail vs Other Modes

12. Rail Plan: Going further
Economic Impact Analysis
- Regional Base Economic Analysis
- Defining Regional Industries Conducive to Rail
- Defining Investments to Serve Businesses
- Projecting Economic Impact
Continued Outreach
- One-on-One Interviews
- Public Meeting
- Additional Public Surveys
- Additional Stakeholder Workshop
Executive Summary
- Primary Source of Information - Marketing Document
- Context in Virginia

13. Regional Economic Analysis
Baseline Demand Assessment
Business Sectors & Locations
Volume & Commodity Type
Existing Network
Demand Trend Data
Projected Volume & Commodity Type
Population & Employment Projections
Labor Market Trends & Initiatives
Improvement Scenario Data
Potential Rail Diversion Scenario
Benefits Based on Mode Shift

14. Regional Economic Analysis

15. Regional Economic Analysis
*2012 Data

16. Regional Economic Analysis

17. Regional Economic Analysis
Scenario Analysis
Characterize rail investment types with potential to capture additional rail travel
(i.e. sidings, industrial spur, etc.)
Evaluate economic benefits of freight diversion
(i.e. vmt diversion, jobs, output, etc.)

18. Thank You
Questions?