East - West Passenger Rail Study Final Report

128.6 MB·English

by  Massachusetts Department of Transportation

Table of Contents
1, Executive Summary
11. Proliminary Alternatives Analysis
1.2. Final Akernatives Analysis
19. Koy Findings
14. Noxt Steps
2. Infroduetion
24. Study Rationale
22. Study Goals
29, Study Corridor.
24, Study Context
25, Chie Engagement
3. Existing Conditions
21. Existing Passenger Railroad Service...
32, Railroad Operating and Regulatory Issues
33, East-West Corridor Trangportation System
34, Comidar Demegraphies
35, Travel Patterns

26, lssuas and Oppartunties

4. Allomatives Development and Analysis.

48
a

Ag.

‘Guiding Prncinles and Universe of Ateratives
‘Altamatives Devalopmant

Proliminary Atternatives,

Evaluation Crteia

Evalation of Preliminary Alternatives

Final Alternatives

Evaluation of Final Akematives

5 Koy Fincings,

84

Key Trado-offs Among Final Altsnatives:

5 Next Steps

APPENDIX - BENEFIT-COST ANALYSIS

APPENDIX - RIDERSHIP METHODOLOGY

APPENDIX -CAPITAL COSTS

APPENDIX - OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE COSTS

APPENDIX - PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED

APPENDIK ~ PUBLIC COMMENTS RECEIVED

(POF ATTACHMENTS)

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Table of Tables

Tablo ES-1 ~ Passenger Rall Service Characteristics — Preliminary

Alternatives ESS
Table E&-2 ~ Pras and Cans af Final Akernatives Esa
Table 3-1 —Track and ROW Caneitions by Major Segment "7

“Tablo3-2~Goometic Challenges and Obstacioe by MajorSegmon..18
‘Table 3-3 ~At-Grad Crossings by Major Segment and Type 18
“Table 5-4 Passenger Rall Stations: Boston to Pitatild 2
“Table 5-5 Peak Travel Tine indices (Akl or Pht Peak! OF-Paak}..2

“Table 3-5 — Environmental Justice Communty Types and Criteria..29
“Table 3-7 El Community Type Data for FourMajor Markets ....29
“Table 3-8 — Relative Proportion of Travel Demand! arrong the Cortidor

Markets for All Tri Purposes 2010 MA Stat

wide Travel Survey}...34
‘Table 3.8~ Gorrmnuta Trips as Proportion of All Tiips batvean Cortdor
Markets 2010 MA Statewide Travel Survey a
Table 5-10 — Relative Commute Flows amang the Corridor Markets
(US Cenaus LEH) 22
Table 5-11 ~ Relative Employment Thas among the Corridor Markets
a8 a Share of Total Emphyment (US Census LEHD), 3

Talo 3-12 ~ Relative Proportion of Worker Home Locations Bascu on
Employment Location (US Census LEHD) 38

Table 313 — Relative Proporion of Employmant Location Based on

‘Worker Home Location (US Census LEHD) 00 38
Table 4-1 ~ Comidor Characteristics of Potential Alflematives 38
‘Table 4-2 ~ Spacd Characteristics of Potontial Atornatives At
Table 43 — Passenger Rall Sewice Characteristics (Preliminary
Altematives) a3
Table 4.4 — Operations, Equipmant, Fleet & Maintenance
Characteristics (Preliminary Alternatives) aa

Table 4.6 — Overview of FRAIFTA Standard Cast Category (SCC)
Elements sr
Table 4-6 ~ Ridership Results (Prefminary Aternatives) ~ 2040 Annual
‘One-Way Boardings and Change in Vehicle Milos Traveled cy

‘Table 4-7 ~ Summary Capital cost by Standard Gost Category (GCC)
and Segment, and Annual Operations & Maintenance Costs (2020

Million Dollars} 63
‘Table 4-8 — Irmpact Buffer! Required Right-of-Way Based on Passenger
“Train Spseds and Corridor Qvmarship 85
Table 4.8 — Environmental Impacts (Praliminary Alternatives) .....68

Table 4-10 - Community Impacts (Preliminary Altematives) 69

Table 4-11 ~ Passenger Rall Service Characteristics and Scheduled
“Travel Tinos (Final Aternatives) 7B
Table 4-12 ~ Opotations, Sagment-Lovol Metties. Equipment, Floct &
Maintenanoa Characteristics (Final Ateinatives} 74
Table 4-13 — Key Motries for Ghorteuts Considered in Final Altemative
4% Hybrid 79
Table 4-14 Summary of Refinements. to Ridership Modeling (Final
Altematives) ai

‘able 4-15 - Ridership Results (Final Altematives) ~ 2040 Annual Onc
‘Way Boardings and Change in Vehicle: Miles Traveled cy

‘Table 4-18 Summary Capital Gosts by Standard Gost Camsgory (SCO)
and Sogrent, and Annual Operations & Maintenance Casts (2020

Milion Dotars) a4
‘abla 4-17 ~ EnvironmontalIipacts (Final Aternativas) 86

‘Table 4-12 — 2040 Annual Change in VMIT and Associated Emissions

Impacts (Final Alternatives) a8
Table 4-19 - Community Impacts (Final Aternatives) 89
Table 4-20~ Propeny & Bulding Impacts (Final Altematives).....91

Table 4.21 — Beneftcost Summary at 7% Discount Rate (Final

Atematios) 2
“Tablo S+1 = Pros and Gone of Final Atematives 95
Table of Figures

Figure ES-1 ~ Study’s Central Question ES
Figure ES-2 - Final Alternative 2 ~ Passenger Rail, Pitsfild ~

Boston. on Upgraded Existing Rairoad Tracks, £86

Figure £S-4 - Final Alomati 4 ~ Passenger Rall, Psfiold ~ Boston

Upgraded Existing Rail (PIT— SFG), New Rail in CSX Corridor (SPC
=WOR) EST
Figure ES-4 - Final Attornative 45 Hybrid — Passenger Rail Pttstiold
= Boston: Upgraded Existing Rail (PIT ~ SG}, New Rall with Priority
Roalignmonts iSPG — WOR) ESB

Figure 2-1 — Ralltoad Ownership, Existing ane Potential Passengor
Stations, and Relavant Freight Rall Torrinals 4
Figure 2-2 = Northam New England intercity Rall Initative (Credit:
NNEIRD, 5
Figure 2-3 — Recammendations fram the META’ Worcester Triple
Tracking Study 7

Figure 9-1 ~ East ~ West Condor Mullimodal Transportation Map..13

Figure 3-2 -2016 Freight Rail Volumes {FRA Wybill Sample Dota}
19
Figure 3-3 ~ Traffic Volumes (ADT at 190 Interchanges iMassDOT.
2018 Read Inventory; 23
Figure 3-4 — Travel Time Comparison — Passenger Rall vetsus 1-90
Auto Tring 24
Figure S-5 ~ 2020 and 2040 Population Data (Massachusetts RPAs)
nF
Figure 9-9 ~ 2020 and 2040 Employment Data (Massachusetts RPAS)
23
Figure 3-7 ~ Ttip Pumase and Mode Choice for Tries Among Corridor
Markets (2010 Statewide Household Travel Survey} 30

Figure 4-1 ~ Study Process 8. Ovarviowy 3B
Figure 4-2 ~ Universe of Alternatives Considered BB

Figure 4-3 ~ Typical Cross Section for Separated Ttack in a Shared
canider 38

Figure 4-4 Alternative 1 - Passenger Rail, Springfield — Worcester,
fon Upgraded Existing Ralroad Tracks (Bus Serica West of
Sprinafilet, 46

Figure 45 — Altemative 2 — Passenger Rall, Springfiald - Baston, on
Upgraded Evisting Railroad Tracks (Bus Service Wast of Springfield
a7
Figure 4.4 — Altemative 3 — Passenger Rail, Pttsfeld—Boston, an
Upgraded Enisting Railroad Tracks AS

Figure 4-7 - Atemalwe 4 - Passenger Rell, PitsfieldBoston:
Upgraded Existing Rail (PIT — SPG), Now Rall in CSX Corridor (SPS

WOR) 60
Figure 4-8 - Altemative 5 ~ Passenger Rail. Springfield-Boston: New
Rall with Priorty Realignmonts (SPG — WOR}, Bus Service West of
Springfield 52
Figure 44a ~ altamativa 6 ~ High-Speed Passenger Rail, Pittsfield
Boston. with Now Rail Aligninont in Separate 1-90 Corridor 53

Figure 4-10 - Incremental Riership Model Overview s

Figure 4-11 — Final Altmative 3 — Passenger Rall, PitsfisldBostan
on Uae aded Esising Zalroad Tracks 78
Figure 4-12 - Final Altemative 4 — Passenger Rail, Pittsfield~ Boston

Upgraded Enisting Rail (PIT — SPC), New Rall in CSX Corrdar (SPC
WOR) 78

Figure 4-19 ~ Final Altemative 4:5 Hybrid — Passenger Rell, Pitstiek!
= Boston: Upgraded Existing Rail (PIT - SPG), New Rail with
Priority Realionments (GPG - WOR) 78

Figure 4-14 ~ Map of Shortcuts Considored for Final Altemative 4%

Hybrid 73
Figure 6-1 ~ Eastbound CSX Freight Train Departing Pitsicld {Creat
D. Hoover) 101
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1. Executive Summary

Ihe Massaciss27s Departre 122° Iransportstior 1VassL0 ; launched the
Fae Wht Passvayy Ral Surya exarn 93-79 prmnvial a%a3F3 “ra, and
ryestirerts necessarvto inplerrent new sasser = ce conrecting
‘nesterr Mascachusetts communitas ath central and escterr Massechusetts
<Figurn F5-1) The 2018 blassachusstm Statn Pai Plan iae.cr 4
“ecarerrendation to evaluate a 'Wes:2 Massach isetts tc Boston essenger
ervice Scidy," and community 2a42°s, sia<213 ce 5, ard ‘eside ts 1av2
cepnaeta sham Ay aun a namie ayy ral [rlete erkeace mites
‘vansportation options avai ct € fer Vassect' setts corrmrunities west ct
‘Worcester

5 = Shudy's Drtrat Question

me ‘The East-West Passenger Rail Study is

intended to answer the central question:

How can we connect people in western
Massachusetts with central and eastern
Massachusetts using a pascenger rail service
that provides fast frequent, attractive service in a,
cost effective and achievable manner?

Ihe bestest Fessenger Kal Stucy
+ Identities v-ans29 tation corridors tr st prov ce rew passenger ra connections hetive2 ittse ¢,
re mediace cx-rrnuni
+ assesses 212 qeaqyaphic, iv-astucuite, ere ceroavaphic 2crdtions in the Cast~ vestrall cTidar.
+ Cyaluates potential ino-overrent alternatives for enhar cing passenrer rel connectians anon the C3-tidor corrrrurities.
+ Suter zecthe pyeulee Leeks costs, inpaus, su) cade cffe uf le in paver ie aleve
The shirly vas vam ce 9 rrarhensive ride agagerent prereasinwy ving resists, the stuns kevlar y Saramatine—a greup eemprere et
rc duals epresenting diverse perspectyss ~ombiltshield ta eestor src cz12"scaks1a d2°s ra ser ss ctr
Fears er This relused enaprrtive deweinprrent af te felines y Jyalsterche peer
+ Provide better “ansportation optionsto and rcry vestemn Massachusetts,
+ Supper azo7a nz ceveloprrert traaghout the Last - Westrall c9 Tar

/eness of Western Vassschvcetts as an atforest € place to Iv

jprinetield, Were ster, Jostan, and

res ere zy ough one

+ Reise e-tenhnuse gas nrrivinne andl alr e.cly irparss “nen ransprecticr
Vass recocrines that a retusttrarspe vata0 systern is essenba 12 9-ov dr ras cerss ELemesses, and vistors wath mabalty te satisy the
name Fersca erd “ecreational needs, Passenger ra ltreaspcracian 231 22 37 [moa tant component cf ¢ muithrices traisoatati system

laeflagaseslave Up.tiv et € leaves p-zenfuuse gas erin

East st Rall Final Report Page ESA
ere err ‘ath adddrinnal navel aptinas, a7 aray2n news eennnmie waannunitins, 3 Mb ss eeveloperect ae
vty arnone| job centers and better ria itvfor pctertialworkers could 2ease =-naloyre : 230aMuniies “3° wakes

sterers Improve
aude td te lend puulavaieLle Weert cyers Ly belle inking ne wes.2 1, varie, and wectent ragivts le Sunn rawelll
Sen andioa 9 amanier true cee

4.4. Preliminary Alternatives Analysis

The Eel ‘us. Saseenger Pail Study vurdudied an alerts artalysis in urder + ce. fy Ue Lest solution wy the study pre eri low tu
SPP Par Panam Mzesachunems with conmecl ere pester Wasser tects using a pasanger rail serie a prewHien say, SnqUe,

avachive service m a costetiechve and act evst € mere“?
cevelopec ¢ set cf pctezél solutions, and evalustee howell each one balances

Toansne’this cussticr the = ternarves erstsis ar
1952 «ey considerations:

+ Rennfis wax rm rmirl spn frel.cr-y,are eervien qualry 7 smaet the rast drs
+ Chet: Minin ae capital, aprrctinns & ma raat

+ Insacts: Minirrizs imaaccs tc svoperty bul eines, cper spsce, sre wetlands

“a erable Mass TOT, be Auvioury Cora, eile, a1] ser akehulJers lu urderstaré We fe [ret ge 3° yo eri stlalions and hee Ws
offs, sy Prelim aary Alte natives were develcpec fran a broad set of ectertis! concepts. “hese Pre rinenya tevvatives teck eiferev: 399 0aches to
ct speec motesse, travel tyre, treq1212y service quality cost, and wrpacts. hetolowre ae

providing 1m ovements, and achusysd 4~s ent
the key arevsrarenn evn err a averting the Prniin avy élremations

+ In-ascucure Investments and Speed no-byements. hese mvescme is 2crespond to the genera spf vaci => prowdng a verre “Imo ved
ral lre 293 yf2 a1d degree of prysica improve ne 15 2 212 all rt ascuccite, andthe cecrse to wh ch
seoarated, It isthese last we vs mat devermine one af the mest erpart ast es of the Ea

ments. he telowrg a°e seivice qua ty charecterictics sar were assignec tc the ~relininary Aiterrstwes to enable atu

rosnetes ard maa:
1 Precter sy 113 “equency at ast— Wes: oascercer all sev ce vanes across the Fre rinary A= naby2s. avd generally rereases wel,

the degree ctirtrastraszie riyastris 1:

© Extent et Rall Serace relurinary & tervaswves et
‘Serrcheld, wea a bus co 19322¢r 3 “is =

tons 2 ved —AIlFreinmary 42 nab

also serv2 rte "vedas tows

passenger rail service to Hitsheld, ntile some e-tend rail serace “2

nidor oes 2°~tshs © Jpnngheld, Wersester, and Eoston, whi 2 serie

erve the aci

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© Shirperst-y an ns ating Icke Save | ire sani, limmation A. ck prince a pre=sea 4 ankore a Sine e214 Rae, curs
Fe iyay F048 mri ett ta anton a Pitst 2a ed 3nenn,andci.g7y 26-40 mciies cfftbacia avrerer Springfield and Fister

NOTE. Tie ange dewuibes vaialisis | Wave lin esfur ead alleria.ve cee Ute au cw sues fe eval 2 Paycuclare
impreverrerts,

© Adndicamd passsagerary rark parcial m the msiy rg OS rail 73 avcArer Spvingfinld and Werster-a adhern tn OS% pry ter
Arrarnerndating passnnger fa lservien on rs 4/v-nfsony ards % grificant east and eawpyety Amynarie = saves cr cen tinal IM rine
rrerpare 4-1 &liematien 3 at an nstimated adefinnal ey 9°41 6 i inn
Sewnral ‘shonin! ral greeasir APY nary’ 5 anton Springfield and wen saw a1 vider 1f mi riiesynrsie A teraatie ©
By bul tres wempletnly nee, smaatated ril alignrrnnt in the sraighnr LT) -rrine, tera ar F pwns the teste tar trea ll the
alierestives: 2 1Btn 2-50 fer Sins 1—Snemnitcsel,and [1 tr P31 Sprrgt eld Pecv-rasnl ewewnr, the rasta inpleementing a
tetely new i mad ees rch higher them Per almmatiens

Almerretiens °, 2, and Benuld provide bun sy -r Fecaner Pinsfcld ane Springfelt, aad er 1@ my iinva manstnr te the al eersinn, This has
oF ifirant negate inpares va ~raved ras and atwartisaess ef ths were
Menace Una,aclousncs= MrewmnayAberaghies

MER O? ALTER VATIvE NO-BJILD 7 2 3 t 5 E
SHARED + | SkoRED- SHAREC + | SHAREC+ | shuren + | s4aR=D+ | SEPARATE
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4.2. Final Alternatives Analysis

Soca unites rests uf he Peli ary Aerrives arias anu foweLeuk frie Aukissry Suites ckabetlders, ae rer tyes de
fia the chem arene were narcyre te 2 art ef vn Final aberr tives thar alliae Ler 199 le«ing pretneret exavanintce

Re | onerszers fer=12 “ul Cas: — West Corridor fom itsfield 2 Coston, via the Daster — Aloay iraad mahire
Service to all sa: 993ir the Corrccr, incivcing in salle interrrediate corrrrunities ittsiald, “reser, Zprinetield, Pekrer, viorcester
Lansdoor2, Jack Cay, and Scu:n Ztation

Fessenger ral service 1 the evisting ral corrcer sie cas: 9" 94 cine ¢ rew reiase line inthe LC com a (in aterr sive 6; was judged to be
ot wath the incremental travel time Sayre

Therefure, sie cree irs Allen elives cunrprise be fullsaing,

Altemative 3 (carte auFisivinary & 2'alivs 3, 1a in Fipus 38 2) wuld provide diel passenger servis Levwer Pio" eld ate
Ecalun slong a shares saved al ot2J CBX ore MSTA ov vidor Up bs 8 rout cl pe (7 12 Eas. Weal aid cigs) eas Jos yuvide, will ot
saverage Urevel lire: uf 8.09 Lebveen P field ard Basti, 111.87 below2e't Sui efeld aru Bas. The figures une fellow gages “ye
Final Alten elves shuv cz 4 pire ou cia vlanidlve ste sa. ris servet, 1 og Provuverrins prugused fur le igh ret Ui2.g. double
aking, raver oligo end, el) Tae figures ass al ow a diagrer 1 12a im vine Soe) Oya abed Ulivi ve ua aclatee sper fo
ear seyrienLufne wuridu g3see cle dela 2] vat perfurret Le Galuulalsris 21d sev ue eae.

Altemative 4 (carry asFiaivinary & 2'nalive’, 51a in Fits 38 3) wuld provide diel passers rll seve Levwer Pins" eld ate

Shi vfield dung a sharee Wasi sl e12] 29% wun cu, 4 ig #1 Fever poaserger leuk betmeer Sp) eld ete Yaurasder are elung
vided ret stiared MBTA Cori bela Wbitecter a.) Suu Us Wy “Crout € lps (2 tw Eas. Weal wat cigs) eas Jos uside, wil
can average trevel inv uf 2.26 Lebower P Lofield and Bsa, 21d “7 between Si efield ate Bus.

Hybrid Alternative 4/8 (20-11 es ela et le uf Prelit ia'y Aerials 4 and 8, she 1 Figae ES 7) could provide dine pacenger ta
vervice Leanwer Piofield are Springfield 4 rig 4 sired track strared OSX cru, slung an indepet cer Uyacer ver cach wilh High speed
wills vel 21 Springfield and Was 2°, and aluny a shared ire Wohiree MBA, aur idur betemer ¥uisaster sud Ecelun, Up Wy 10 Lute
lips @ reer Buel eur ris} wuld be provided, wiv ar average Urovel lire uf 24€ Letvweer P Usfield ard Basi, 21d “37 bel
Shi vfield and Boss

‘The follzxing kev metrics have been evalsated for the sherrst ves analys =:

Ridership. “he riderstip fare scats the reraacyre cra cy eal retrin ofthe nine atte tiveness ¥ the propinsed alierrtiens far revere;
in spevviand by a emia 4 9 herngraphies reser and jokes) surmi.reing the etctinns and the servire quay rawr tere ared frequer ey
Inihe trevnler'sdeatieriny) Peers pis the basis far determing pi.cet Feectite reat m trcoel tre sage ]3 remy 3 ales taken af the
hijrecye, airquclty cmmenerents, and ether mraaies ¥ anjzes avant The trtal annual tripe desriaerd on the folawirg page avr the mips that
ar prr|ected ev the Fant —ieat peesnngor tar fera “nanan snrvien Fa-an na 2NAN Teer PLmb-en nprnsere breed ays"

Page ES
each 2me a passe ger gets crtc a tain 5 a boarding (@ ‘ound bip ‘sould cant ss two), Ihe vdetshio range ‘sas s1oduced 3¥ too
indepenclent forecasts, oath diferert escurrptions, that used cxc clerer: proxy ral comdlors (le the C rail Fattord Line and the
Loaresster) as 212 starting 99112, On average, teagny Bite 3 the es:rieced ridershwp s exaszzed to 92 tres ssbvee1 Sp-agrele and
ester

© Alinmnatien 3 is anjore 4 m br used by 12 m |,IRR peesengers pre aneckeay

© Alinmanien 4 is anjerc4 m brused by °° 87 tn 1.379 pasanngere peranrlatey

© yb Altrraaroe 8 ic prejerted te Pe vere Py 126F 19 135 passrayyn an erica

+ Capital Costs, Tie eu lel uusbesiinale is a ey velerrria ts Ue eral er Je rey ere ta. “ua giver a 2 tiaiva, The capi al 3
es ries wlll sie bine issire: in ew infiaduuure © yg tesipuialad sais wav Lidyes, yells, sllyrelucaiun, s gua
properly cuguis. 1, ve-rule procure ne, aid profess ery te. The We shou inelJos 4 ae ia O° oLr tt vel Liesin ass ie vil
vara pretlives, hews capil as, expreesed in 2020 dallas, ro ve flr $24 bili fur Allerriative 8 tu $3.9 Lilla “y Alters. ve A
nd 34.8 bill “a byLi Ae talivs 45

+ Operations & Maintenance Costs, TI 2se ciz lhe annual Lasse sucisled w 1 sv2valing ard vinnie service, 1 lading fabur, (uel
Upkowp uf fauilies ard vehi 2s) et J adreiatretioe

+ Envirenmental and Community Impacts. “hex inc Js ruc We pub ie ad privale prep ly, Joan suse, a1) ery sorrel pears
sus gs tue xeler 41 elle! be, Breve Ul asingyiare induced asa safely related irra

2 Tureen ple, Alleris.ve € Lee Ue feawul pats u wel evs Ly lulelauiweve (1/5 aves). Tlisineees wilh the
WJC seperalad lack Alle ove inputs 7.78 sures, $ rilaly, altered 24. te €7 ars wun rive 3 aures ure
Alervsaive 8 aru vure cia ciole ser Alleria.ved at avesise 1 aah 18 gas rule: PyLt J Allrraive 4)

Corpor) ule 2040 Fetus Me Sul, lie rl CO2 2 sciurs Gi tris tus) inurecese ond re 2 “urn appre 7,000 tu
3.00 unuder A lerave 3 ud azase ay 3 uve" “4,000 univer Mlberrive 4 card te A Lelie “25 ye

8 Alerlives Sand 4 recuine £3 rpiaved 3. gra ucexings, FyLt e Alzrtalive 48 requires 2?