I FLORIDA'S HIGH SPEED RAIL STUDY FLORIDA TODAY

Florida has labored over transporta. tion problems since long before Henry Flagler ' s first chugged into Miami and his Florida East Coast Railroad triggered phen­ omenal growth in the state. Today, the 4-lane Howard Frankland Bridge across Tampa Bay is jammed with traffic between Tampa and St. Petersburg. In South Florida, A bumper-to-bumper traffic creeps along six lanes of 1-95 during the inappropriately named "rush hour."

Between 1960 and 1980, the resident population of Florida doubled from almost 5 million to 10 million, and the state continues to attract increasing numbers of tourists. Only D 13 years ago, Walt Disney World a opened in Central Florida. Other of the nation's most populous and major attractions such as Sea World urbanized states. and Busch Gardens, along with beaches and natural recreation Florida's ability to grow and develop areas, have also played a big part in has been determined in large part by Florida's tourism development. In its transportation systems, such as 1983, over 40 million tourists visited the interstate highway system imple­ the state. This compares to fewer mented in the past 25 to 30 years. than 20 million in 1967. Such major transportation systems, of course, take considerable time to Florida has changed dramatically plan, design, finance, and construct. c over the past 20 years, not only in population growth, but in the Florida in the 21st Century will be distribution of that population. In shaped by planning done today for 1960, approximately 65 percent of the transportation systems of the the population lived in Florida's future. urban areas. By 1980, almost 85 per­ cent of the state's inhabitants lived in urban areas-making Florida one 1 I ...AND IN THE FUTURE In 25 years, the Howard Frankland Bridge will need 14 lanes across Tampa Bay if the number of cars and trucks increases as predicted. By the year 2020, 44 lanes will be needed between Ft. Lauderdale and Miami on 1-95 if alternative methods of travel are not ready.

Experts say Florida's growth will A continue at a rapid rate for the next generation. By the year 2000, approximately 17 million people are expected to live in Florida, making it the third or fourth most populous state in the country-about as large as New York State today. By the year 2020, almost 21 million people are expected to I ive in the state, doubling today's population. Thus, today's transportation planning will development, and redevelopment of 100 be important in guiding Florida's Florida's cities. Highway construc­ 90 future development and population tion will continue to be necessary, 80 growth. as automobiles remain a primary 70 mode of transportation. However, "W 60 B It also is anticipated that Florida cost-effective and efficient mass ~ 50 will cdntinue to grow in attrac­ transit solutions also must be g 40 tiveness as a tourist destination. developed in urban areas and as 30 Forecasts ind icate significant connecting systems between major tourist travel increases, to between metropolitan areas. The expense of 70 and 90 million annual visitors by a solution relying solely on new the year 2000. Additionally, the state highways and new airports has :: ~ .~ ' ' ' ·~·' ' ':''" j 1960 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 2000 has positioned itself to continue to already become prohibitive in the attract commercial and industrial most urbanized areas of Florida. expansion to provide future employ­ Rapid transit systems, bus lanes, ment opportunities. downtown people movers, and similar transit projects provide ef­ The urbanization trend is expected fective alternatives to balance to continue with transportation future transportation needs. playing a key part in growth, 2 WHAT IS HIGH SPEED RAIL?

Imagine skimming along between Miami and Orlando on a cushion of air at speeds up to 400 miles per hour as you sit reading the daily newspaper. It's a dramatic change from the on Florida's tracks today. High speed rail service is available today on passenger trains operating in Japan, France, Great Britain, Canada, and West Germany. A Florida is poised to catch up and excel in technology, speed, and economic growth. c State authorities are considering a variety of different high speed rail Two different uses for a high speed technologies, including some rail guideway have been suggested advanced systems that are in proto­ for Florida. The first is "express ser­ type development. The three tech­ vice" that would be available on an nologies under consideration hourly basis, linking high-demand a operate at the following speed urban areas and major travel ranges: markets in central and south Florida. The second concept is to • Type I-High Speed Equipment have more frequent "commuter ser­ on Upgraded Track (100 to 130 vice" within the urban areas that mph), D would serve both local and state • Type II-State-of-the-Art In a few years, the present state of travel needs. Hourly express service Technology on Totally New the art in high speed passenger between major cities still would be Track (130 to 170 mph), and transportation may drastically avai I able, but more localized/ • Type Ill-Very High Speed New change, from steel wheels/steel reg ion al transportation needs, Technologies (230 to 320 mph). rails to trains that literally fly over including commuter service in their guideways. These are known urban areas, could also be provided The state of the art in high speed as magnetic levitation () on the same system. passenger equipment now operat­ systems with vehicles held aloft by ing is represented by the TGV-PSE magnetic forces and propelled for­ (France), Series 200 Bullet Train ward by a special new-technology (Japan), Intercity 125 (Great Britain), linear motor drive. and LAC (Canada).

3 HISTORY OF I HIGH SPEED RAIL IN FLORIDA In the mid-, the State of Florida examined the possibility of a high speed rail corridor linking Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Daytona Beach through the central part of the state. In the early 1980s, the Japanese indicated an interest in developing a system that linked Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, and Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties in South Florida.

In April 1982, Executive Order 82-34 A was issued by Governor Bob Graham creating the Florida High Speed Rail Committee. The Com­ mittee set forth the following objec­ tives: c • Determine the public benefit likely to accrue from high speed Over a 2-year period, the High Speed In October 1983, an advertisement rail service; Rail Committee conducted nine was placed in the Wall Street Jour­ • Determine the market and public hearings around the state nal requesting prospective fran­ engineering feasibility of such a and heard testimony from citizens, chise bidders to submit conceptual B system, including route location public officials, potential franchise proposals for the financing, design, and priorities; applicants, representatives of en­ ownership, and operation of a high vironmental groups, and officials speed rail system in Florida. Seven • Establish design and construc­ from federal, state, and local agen­ proposals were received, indicating tion specifications and criteria; cies. Information on various types substantial business community • Determine the feasibility of of high speed rail technology was interest in the private development utilizing existing publicly owned presented, and the Governor and of the project. rights-of-way for high speed rail several committee members visited service and, if found feasible, and rode high speed rail systems in prepare a request for proposals Japan and Europe, including the for leasing of same; and prototype Maglev train in Japan. • Prepare requests for proposals for franch ising, design, con­ struction, operation, and main­ tenance of the system to a private entity or entities. 4 FUTURE TRANSPORTA­ TION SYSTEM

The High Speed Rail Committee , c concluded its work in April 1984 with a final report to the Governor. The Committee's findings and recommendations were that:

• Florida's present transportation infrastructure is inadequate to accommodate the growth fore­ cast to occur over the next 16 A years. • Expansion of traditional modes to overcome present and future transportation inadequacies is not economically or environ­ mentally feasible. Both the use of existing highway • An advanced high occupancy and rail corridors as well as new cor­ interregional mode of ground ridors have been proposed by pro­ transportation is essential to spective franchisees. The ability to Florida's mobility in the 21st serve the state's transportation Century. needs using existing corridors ver­ • There appears to be great public sus the development of new cor­ benefit from the development of ridors will be a critical part of the a high speed rail system decision in the award of the fran­ through safety, high speed con­ chise. venience, economy, and the creation of jobs for construction D and on-going operations. of a multi-year franchise fi­ • The technology is currently nanced and developed entirely available to provide Florida with by private free enterprise. a "world class high speed rail • The development and utilization system" that is most suitable of high speed rail systems for serving Florida's inter­ technology could act as a regional travel market in the catalyst for economic growth, 21st Century. and could be a key factor in • The implementation of a high shaping Florida's future growth speed rail passenger service in a well-planned and managed can be accomplished by means direction. 5 I POTENTIAL SERVICE CORRIDORS What areas of the state will be served by high speed rail service - where will it go?

Alternative corridors have been identified for potential high speed rail service in Florida. Corridor selection was based on engineer­ ing, socioeconomic, and environ­ mental factors. Routes that had the least potential for engineering prob­ A lems or for the disruption of existing land use and environmental resources were identified. Although all the corridors connected the major metropolitan areas in central and south Florida, various options were identified to link intermediate markets and the state's major air­

ports and tourist attractions. The W. PALM Tampa/St. Petersburg, Orlando, and BEACH Miami-Ft. Lauderdale metropolitan areas were shown to have the highest potential for generating passenger demand in studies con­ ducted for the Florida Department of Transportation.

A minimum of 50 feet of right-of-way is needed for double tracking of any systems with slower speed ranges the franchise. Corridors must be high speed rail system under con­ will "fit" more easily into existing identified and environmental sideration. To maintain the speed corridors. Faster technologies, such impacts determined by each poten­ capabilities of high speed trains, it as Maglev, may require the develop­ tial franchisee. Opinions and com­ is necessary for the track to be ment of new, straighter rights-of­ ments from the public and local designed with wide gentle curves. In way. governments will be solicited in order for high speed rail to utilize order to refine the corridor align­ existing state highway and rail cor­ A special corridor approval process, ment and determine which routes ridors, it may be necessary for the as enacted in Florida's High Speed will result in minimal impact to train to operate at slower speeds Rail Transportation Commission public health, safety, and welfare. where sharp curves exist. Rail Act, is required prior to the award of 6 WHAT IT MEANS TO YOU ...

The most important aspect of this c project is that it is not anticipated that tax money will be used. A variety of financing mechanisms, such as joint real estate development, revenue bonds, innovative equip­ ment leasing arrangements, and cor­ porate loan guarantees, could be used to provide the capital and operating funds needed to imple­ ment high speed rail in Florida.

There are a number of benefits for the State of Florida in the develop­ ment of a high speed rail system. First, a distinct positive image for Another anticipated effect of high non-users. User benefits include future growth and development will speed rail wil! be improved transpor­ reductions in automobile operating be projected worldwide. The imple­ tation safety. High speed passenger costs, travel time, and accident mentation of high speed rail in trains operating abroad have pro­ costs. Tangible economic benefits, Florida will maintain or improve duced outstanding safety records. such as increased employment and Florida's image as a premier center Since operation of the TGV system wages, will occur as a result of con­ B for tourism and high technology in France began in 1981, there have struction and operation of the high development. been no injuries or fatalities. The speed rail system. These new jobs safety experience of the Japanese will mean at least $3.8 billion in The second positive impact is that a National Railway system is also employee earnings during the first new means of public travel will be quite similar. To the extent that 30 years of the project. In addition, available to meet Florida's complex travelers are diverted from auto­ high speed rail is expected to result transportation needs. High speed mobiles to high speed rail, the in increased expenditures by rail will be competitive in travel time latter's superior safety record should tourists in Florida. It is expected with aviation, whose expansion is result in a decrease in automobile that the ripple effect of those in­ being hampered by increasing prob­ traffic accidents and decreased avia­ creased expenditures will result in lems of congested airspace. The tion delays and airspace congestion, the creation of approximately 30,000 travel time for high speed rail is ex­ allowing for an improvement overall jobs per year or 1.1 million new jobs pected to range from under 2 hours in transportation safety. over the period from 1990 to 2020. to 3112 hours for a Tampa/St. Petersburg to Miami run , depending The Florida Department of Transpor­ on technology and route configura­ tation made q.n intense examination tion. of the benefits of high speed rail compared to system costs. There 7 will be benefits for both users and I SYSTEM IMPACTS Construction and operation of a high speed rail system in Florida ~ ~ will have both positive and negative impacts. Many of the negative impacts can be reduced with proper planning and coordination. ,, The proposed high speed rail facili­ ______ty has the potential to enhance ~ ...... Florida's air quality as auto travel is replaced by electrically powered transportation, and projected increases for aviation facilities and airspace congestion are reduced. __ c Additionally, a reduction in energy consumption would be a major for the system and related develop­ construction and could become a asset of high speed rail develop­ ment. This will mean that lands concern when the system is opera­ ment in Florida. The technology of associated with the project will be tional unless sound barriers are pro­ high speed rail makes it the most under public ownership and will not vided on right-of-way that is adja­ energy-efficient mode of transporta­ be on local tax rolls. However, the cent to residential neighborhoods. tion available compared to buses, High Speed Rail Transportation Vibration effects may also be ex­ automobiles, or airplanes. Most Commission Act specifically allows perienced, although structural high speed rail systems are twice as the charging of impact fees to offset design techniques will be used to efficient as airplane travel. any local government costs for reduce or eliminate this problem. utilities and other items needed to The high speed rail system will pro­ support the system. vide considerable development and redevelopment opportunities, Unless properly plctnned and especially around station locations. designed, the development of high Transportation facilities have been speed rail in Florida could also have B a major influence on development adverse effects on the environment patterns throughout Florida in the and on the communities through past. Planned growth and more effi­ which it travels. During construc­ cient land use are a natural result of tion, air and water quality could be improved transportation access as temporarily affected. In addition, are lower overall utility costs. local communities may be dis­ rupted due to construction and the A major non-cash tax incentive that possibility that some businesses is planned for the potential fran­ and residences will need to be relo­ chisee is the exemption from taxes cated. Noise will be evident during 8 SCHEDULE FOR DEVELOPMENT

During the 1984 session of the Florida Legislature, a law was Develop Franchise passed creating a Florida High Proposals D Speed Rail Transportation Commis­ Corridor Reviews and sion. The act empowers the Gover­ Environmental Approvals I nor to appoint a commis.sion to Acquire award a franchise for the develop­ Rights-of-Way D ment, construction, maintenance, and operation of a high speed rail Design System system. The High Speed Rail Transportation Commission Act was Construction approved by the Legislature May 30, 1984, and signed into law by Gover­ Operations A nor Bob Graham June r4, 1984. This 1984 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 1995 96 97 act is a landmark law not duplicated elsewhere in the United States.

Governor Bob Graham has expressed In its approach to the project, may stretch over the next 10-12 a desire to see the high speed rail Florida is unlike other states which years as route selection, design, en­ project operati_onal by 1995, the are pursuing the development of a vironmental permitting, and a multi­ 150th birthday of the State of statewide high speed rail system. year construction schedule are Florida. To develop a high speed rail Local comment, concern for envir­ completed. project in Florida, considerable time onmental issues, and private sector is necessary to obtain all approvals operation and financing have been B at the federal, state, and local considered essential in Florida to levels, to finance the system, com­ the successful development of this plete design and construction, and new means of travel in the state. perform test runs prior to full ser­ Considerable efforts have been vice operation. made to consider early in the plan­ ning process citizen and agency The first links to be developed concerns about service, routes, and would be the highest travel demand technologies offered by the pro­ corridors linking Tampa/St. Peters­ spective franchisees. To accom­ burg, Orlando, and Miami. Expan­ modate this complex planning pro­ sion of the system to other major ur­ cess, the timetable for development ban areas, such as Jacksonville, Sarasota, Daytona, and Ft. Myers, would be accomplished shortly thereafter. g 1···A COMPLEX DECISIONMAKING PROCESS

It is thought that high speed rail transportation connectors, etc.) that passenger service in Florida will be the system will need . accomplished by means of a multi­ year franchise financed and devel­ Coordination and comment from the oped entirely by private enterprise. public, environmental agencies, and There are a number of reputable con­ interest groups must also be sortia interested in the franchising accomplished to ensure timely rights for Florida's high speed rail review and approval of the variety of passenger service. Private enterprise permits required by Florida's unique has proposed to design, construct, legislation. Residents will be in­ own, operate, and maintain the volved in the decisionmaking pro­ Florida High Speed Rail Transporta­ cess and wi 11 be asked to par­ tion System. ticipate during a series of local, regional, and state public hearings A high speed rail project in Florida to be held along the corridors of the will involve a complex review and high speed rail system. This pro­ approval process at the federal, cess will ensure that the system is state, and local levels. Review and developed with full community sup­ approvals for the location of the port and that it is structured in a facility and permits to construct and way that truly meets Florida's operate the system will be required. transportation needs and the needs Public and private interests all will of its people. be involved in the review of such a large-scale transportation develop­ ment project in the state.

On the federal level, review of en­ vironmental impacts and negotia­ tions for joint use of existing highway rights-of-way will be re­ quired. At the state level, similar en­ vironmental permits and approvals will be required. Local governments will be interested for the same reasons as federal and state agen­ cies, but will also review the project to determine its impact on land use plans and zoning, and to identify utility improvements (water, sewer, 10 A c E This document summarizes a report prepared by a consultant team for the Florida Department of Transportation.

The Florida High Speed Rail Study was directed by: Barton-Aschman Associates, Inc., in association with: Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc. (ESE) Robert J. Harmon Associates, Inc. Metric Engineering, Inc. Bachman Associates

The study was financed in part by a grant from the Federal Railroad Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation. The United States Government assumes no liability for its contents or use, and the views herein expressed should not be in­ terpreted as reporting the official policy of the United States Government, the United States Department of Transportation, or the Federal Railroad Administration.

Environmental Science and Engineering, Inc., Gainesville, FL, designed and pro­ duced this brochure. Sound and Vision Communications, Tampa, FL, prepared PHOTO IDENTIFICATIONS 4 A. Governor Graham on Series 200 8 A. Artist's Rendering (RS & H, Inc.) the computer graphic illustration for the (Photo Source Acknowledgements) Bullet Train (Japanese Railway B. Rail Construction (ESE) cover. Technology Corp.) C. Prototype Maglev Train (Japanese 1 A. Downtown Miami/Metrorail (Metro­ B. Florida High Speed Rail Committee, Railway Technology Corp.) Dade Transportation Administration) John Parke Wright, Chairman 9 A. Metrorail Construction (Metro-Dade B. Downtown Tampa (Greater Tampa (Mr. Akiro Kambara) Transportation Administration) Chamber of Commerce) C. Florida House Transportation Com­ B. Rail Construction (ESE) C. Downtown-Orlando (Orlando Chamber mittee (Mr. Akiro Kambara) of Commerce) 5 A. Orlando International Drive (Florida 1 O A. EPCOT Center (Walt Disney World) D. Orlando (City of Orlando) Dept. of Commerce/Div. of Tourism) B. Florida High Speed Rail Committee, John Parke Wright, Chairman 2 A. Key Biscayne, FL (Florida Dept. of B. Hillsborough Area Reg·ional Transit (Mr. Akiro Kambara) Commerce/Div. of Tourism) (City of Tampa) B. Harbour Island, Tampa, FL (Hartiour C. Tampa International Airport (ESE) 11 A. Series 200 Bullet Train (Japanese Island, Inc.) D. Metrorail (Metro-Dade Transportation Railway Technology Corp.) C, Artist's Rendering (United States Administration) B. Super Speed Maglev Train (The Budd Research Laboratories, lnc.)c: 6 A. TGV-PSE Train (The TGV Company) Com-p-any) C. Prototype Maglev Train (Japanese 3 A. Series 200 Bullet Train (Japanese 7 A. Train Interior (Bombardier, Inc.) Railway Technology Corp.) Railway Technology Corp.) B. Train Station Platform D. Artist's Rendering (Bombardier, Inc.) B. TGV-PSE T~ain (The TGV Company) (Bombardier, Inc.) C. Train Interior (Bombardier, Inc.) · E. TGV-PSE Train (The TGV Company) C. Artist's Rendering (United States D. Protoype Maglev Train (Japanese F. Intercity 125 Train (Great Britain) Research Laboratories, Inc.) 11 Railway Technology Corp.)