Report CAPITAL REGION RAIL VISION From Baltimore to Richmond, Creating a More Unified, Competitive, Modern Rail Network DECEMBER 2020 CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 3 EXISTING REGIONAL RAIL NETWORK 10 THE VISION 26 BIDIRECTIONAL RUN-THROUGH SERVICE 28 EXPANDED SERVICE 29 SEAMLESS RIDER EXPERIENCE 30 SUPERIOR OPERATIONAL INTEGRATION 30 CAPITAL INVESTMENT PROGRAM 31 VISION ANALYSIS 32 IMPLEMENTATION AND NEXT STEPS 47 KEY STAKEHOLDER IMPLEMENTATION ROLES 48 NEXT STEPS 51 APPENDICES 55 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The decisions that we as a region make in the next five years will determine whether a more coordinated, integrated regional rail network continues as a viable possibility or remains a missed opportunity. The Capital Region’s economic and global Railway Express (VRE) and Amtrak—leaves us far from CAPITAL REGION RAIL NETWORK competitiveness hinges on the ability for residents of all incomes to have easy and Perryville Martinsburg reliable access to superb transit—a key factor Baltimore Frederick Penn Station in attracting and retaining talent pre- and Camden post-pandemic, as well as employers’ location Yards decisions. While expansive, the regional rail network represents an untapped resource. Washington The Capital Region Rail Vision charts a course Union Station to transform the regional rail network into a globally competitive asset that enables a more Broad Run / Airport inclusive and equitable region where all can be proud to live, work, grow a family and build a business. Spotsylvania to Richmond Main Street Station Relative to most domestic peer regions, our rail network is superior in terms of both distance covered and scope of service, with over 335 total miles of rail lines1 and more world-class service. This fragmentation makes rail travel than 54,000 daily riders on average across both commuter more complicated, more time-consuming, and less able rail systems. However, a failure to better integrate to meet the region’s travel patterns—limiting the region’s services across the region’s network—comprised of the economic productivity and creating opportunity cost to Maryland Area Regional Commuter (MARC), Virginia residents, neighborhoods and employers. Railway Express (VRE) and Amtrak—leaves us far from 3 3 As a region, we have yet to establish a clear path to a possibility or remains a missed opportunity. We are at a unified, coordinated rail network—or even a shared vision critical point to come together and assess the benefits of what a more coordinated and integrated network could and barriers of integration in order to establish an optimal look like. We are at an important inflection point for path to maximize our rail potential to better connect our our regional rail network. Key physical barriers to more metro areas, expand our region’s development potential regionally integrated service—including the congested while easing housing burdens, and increase employers’ Potomac River crossing at Long Bridge (where a new access to the region’s diverse and talented workforce two track bridge will double capacity is moving towards while providing for more equitable access to upward construction), the crowded Washington Union Station social and economic mobility for all of the region’s (WUS) (planned for expansion in the next decade), and residents. Based on the analysis included in this report— the undersized and outdated B&P tunnel in Baltimore (for the Capital Regional Rail Vision (“the Vision”)—and the which a replacement is slated for completion by 2035)— Technical Report to follow, we find that rail integration are either being actively addressed or being recognized as can greatly enhance our economic competitiveness and critical for long-term regional planning. provide a more inclusive and accessible transportation option for the region. This is the purpose of the Capital The decisions that we as a region make in the next five Region Rail Vision, and we are committed to working with years will determine whether a more coordinated, the region to turn this Vision into a reality. integrated regional rail network continues as a viable 4 GOALS OF THE REGIONAL RAIL VISION The more efficient and far-reaching regional rail network contained in this Vision would connect more riders to more destinations as well as reduce trip times, creating significant benefits for the region as well as the rail operators. By harnessing latent demand for better mobility and access to key destinations, a more coordinated and integrated network that seamlessly spans borders can increase ridership demand, improve economic interconnectivity, stimulate broader regional growth, and increase operators’ resiliency to changing demand patterns, such as the shift to telework due to COVID-19. Within this context, the Vision has three key goals for a more coordinated and integrated rail system: Enhance Regional Economic Competitiveness and Collaboration 1. Mobility and access are key enablers for regional growth. Better access to current and future employment centers for workers—and access to an expanded pool of regional talent for businesses of all sizes—will enhance the region’s productivity and create the foundation for a growing, competitive region. Ensure Inclusive Growth 2. Transportation investments throughout the United States have historically divided, displaced, or created barriers to access and opportunity for communities of color and low-income areas. As a nation and a region, we have yet to remove these barriers for too many communities, which has reinforced systemic and generational inequities that have limited upward mobility and held back our region’s full potential. The Vision, and all transportation plans and investments in this region, should prioritize expanding access to economic opportunity for communities of color as well as historically marginalized communities. Expand Access to Moderate and Affordable Housing 3. The Capital Region is facing housing affordability challenges that undermine many residents’ quality of life and access to economic opportunity, which also impacts employers’ decisions on where to locate. The transportation network, including regional rail, has a large role to play in housing decisions by expanding the utility, reliability and access to more housing, jobs, and other key destinations. Regional rail has a large unmet opportunity to increase access to moderately and affordably priced housing and support the creation of new transit-oriented housing and commercial development opportunities throughout the region. 5 WHY DO WE NEED THE REGIONAL RAIL VISION? Mobility and improved access to destinations afforded by Unfortunately, while all long-range rail plans in the region quality transit options are key ingredients for a globally show intent to establish a more coordinated rail network, competitive regional economy and inclusively growing implementation has never materialized. With several key region. While our region’s rail network is superior to projects moving forward the time for greatly enhanced many in terms of scale and scope, the existing system’s regional collaboration is now. geographic limitations and commuter-orientation means that regional rail service remains an inconvenient or Improving our rail network’s ability to provide world- impractical option for many– which reduces access class mobility for a broader cross-section of the region’s for all employers and residents across the region. A residents will help increase equitable access to our Maryland resident traveling to a job in Northern Virginia, economy, increase the proportion of the labor pool that for example, might have to juggle at least two monthly can reach potential jobs and an education, reduce vehicle passes, make a twice-daily dash across crowded WUS, traffic on already-congested roads, and bring affordable and hope that scheduling delays don’t cause a missed housing opportunity within reach for many of the region’s connection—all in addition to the time lost making the families. With a shared vision around expectations and MARC to VRE connection. outcomes we can achieve these outcomes. WHAT DOES THE REGIONAL RAIL VISION LOOK LIKE? Building a shared understanding for a greatly enhanced, express trains, will make trips faster and more convenient integrated Capital Region rail system could look like for both on- and off-peak weekday and weekend travelers. is a first step towards making it a better enabler of an Seamless run-through service will change the face of the inclusive and equitable region where all can be proud regional network, opening entirely new possibilities for to live, work, grow a family and build a business. To this inter-regional trips. Finally, a seamless rider experience end, this Vision plans for the following key elements: will make the regional network easy to access for both bidirectional run-through service, expanded service, regular and occasional travelers. seamless rider experience, and superior operational coordination. This is an ambitious, long-term Vision for the Capital Region. It is expected that the Vision will be organized These four elements of the Vision are closely according to four overlapping 10 year periods—Launch, interdependent and guide the delivery of the Vision. Expand, Realize, and Transform—that provide stepping The expanded trip options the Vision provides will open stones to a full delivery of the plan within the next 25 the network to travelers beyond the 9-to-5 commute, years through incremental infrastructure and steady including weekend service. Expanded service, including operational