Research Project Statement s2

Research Project Statement Fiscal Year 2003

Project Number: 0-4058 Modification? Yes No

Title: Public Sector Benefits of Intermodal Transportation Improvements

RMC Number: 2 Modes- Intermodal

Developed By:

Project Statement Date: 1-4-2002 TxDOT Project Name Office Area Code/Phone Email Fax Number Personnel Number Program Coordinator (PC) Maria Burke DES 512-416-2703 [email protected] 512-416-2716

Project Director (PD) Joanne Walsh ADM 512-463-8663 [email protected] 512-475-2951 Project Monitoring Mike McAndrew CSO 512-486-5707 [email protected] 512-486-5701 Committee (PMC) James Heacock (Project Advisors Optional) Steve Stafford HOU 713-802-5265 [email protected] 713-802-5896 Vic Holubec BMT 409-898-5743 [email protected] 409-896-0265 TPP 512-416-2324 [email protected] 512-416-2348

Duration (# of years): Total Budget: $ Budget by year: First Year FY $ Other Funding Available? Yes No Second Year FY $ Additional FYs $ Project Description: Objective: Demonstrate the benefits to the public of intermodal transportation improvements, and evaluate whether such use of transportation funds might be more efficient than funding more highways. Description: For many years the focus of transportation planning has been on providing more highways. They have allowed commuters and shippers unprecedented mobility within a single right-of-way. However, as the highway system becomes more and more congested and the cost of expanding the system skyrockets, the realization is now dawning that there is a limit to how many roads can be built.

It is time to revisit the true objective, which is moving people and goods efficiently. An array of solutions are possible.

This project will focus on intermodal solutions that could benefit either people or freight or something that would be mutually beneficial to both sets of transportation users. The project will not be limited to what the Texas Department of Transportation is currently authorized to do. Researchers will be prompted to look beyond current authority for solutions that will be good investments of the state’s limited funds and will provide better and more efficient movement opportunities. Better can have various components: for example, safer, faster, cheaper, environmentally responsible. Multiple transportation modes will be considered either in new combinations or new configurations.

For example, one solution may be to separate goods shipment from passenger movement with freight-only projects. Many such projects are not given due consideration because of the bias to provide dual-purpose modes, namely highways, and the regional nature of freight movement. But the benefits of dedicated freight corridors may be underestimated. At the same time, there is a recognition that intermodal facilities and connections are lacking.

The Alameda Corridor from the Port of Los Angeles to downtown Los Angeles is a freight-only corridor. It removes the majority of trucks from the roads, reducing congestion and pollution. Safety and mobility are enhanced as the roads have become less congested. Shippers are able to move their products rapidly, improving their profit margins. These and other benefits of non-highway transportation solutions need to be evaluated and demonstrated so that such projects can compete more equally against traditional highway projects.

RMC 2 Project 0-4058 Page 1 of 2

P1- Method for calculating benefits of intermodal investments, and recommendations for application in Deliverable Products TxDOT. And Reports: P2- Selected case studies. 1. A final research report that provides detailed documentation of all research performed, methods used, and that fully supports the recommendations and conclusions contained therein. 2. A project summary report outlining the research, finding and recommendations, in 4 pages. 3. Any other deliverables identified during the course of the research project.

The project director will require a monthly update from the researcher. Project meetings will be scheduled at least twice per year, around October and April. A kickoff and a wrapup meeting may also be scheduled.

Implementation:

Pre-Proposal Meeting: Yes No Wednesday, March 6, 2002, 1:00 p.m., 4000 Jackson Avenue, Building 1, Camp Hubbard, 2nd Floor Conference Room (Alamo), Austin, TX 78731

Sole-Source Project: Yes No

Project Rating & Justification: Mandated Critical Important Desirable Schedule of Activities should include a column next to the Task/Description that shows estimated Additional Information: percentages of the total project budget for each task. This information will be used to help the PC/PD more completely understand the level of effort that is planned for each task 1. All individuals interested in proposing are encouraged to contact the PC or PD by Deadlines (for RTI use only): February 15, 2002. 2. Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2002. All proposals from researchers should be sent directly to your university Research Liaison’s office for final submission to RTI. The Research Liaison is TxDOT’s official point of contact with the university.

RMC 2 Project 0-4058 Page 2 of 2