Conceptual Engineering Study for the Hempstead Corridor Commuter Rail VOLUME I OF II February 2012 Prepared by In association with Klotz Associates Project No. 0111.001.000 Conceptual Engineering Study for the Hempstead Corridor Commuter Rail FOR REVIEW ONLY FOR REVIEW ONLY Do not use for permitting, bidding, or Do not use for permitting, bidding, or construction. construction. Engineer: Billy M. Cooke, P.E. Engineer: Thomas R. Munson, P.E. Engineer Reg. No.: 53555 Engineer Reg. No.: 92498 Klotz Associates - Texas P.E. Firm TranSystems Corporation - Texas P.E. Registration No. F-929 Firm Registration No. F-3557 Date: February 29, 2012 Date: February 29, 2012 Prepared by Klotz Associates, Inc. 1160 Dairy Ashford, Suite 500 Houston, Texas 77079 Texas P.E. Firm Registration No. F-929 Klotz Associates Project No. 0111.001.000 February 2012 Conceptual Engineering Study for the Hempstead Corridor Commuter Rail Funding for this project was made possible by: The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Through the U.S. Department of Transportation, Texas Department of Transportation and The Gulf Coast Rail District VOLUME I OF II TABLE OF CONTENTS Page EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ............................................................................................. ES-1 SECTION 1 BACKGROUND 1.1 Introduction……………………………………………………………. 1-1 1.2 Need ...................................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Previous Studies ....................................................................................... 1-3 1.4 Stakeholder Meetings / Outreach ............................................................. 1-10 SECTION 2 RIDERSHIP ESTIMATES AND METHODOLOGY 2.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 2-1 2.2 Summary of Findings ............................................................................... 2-1 2.3 Representation of Commuter Rail Project ............................................... 2-2 2.4 Modifications to H-GAC Model .............................................................. 2-3 2.5 Alternatives and Sensitivity Analysis ...................................................... 2-7 2.6 Final Adjustments .................................................................................... 2-15 2.7 2035 RTP Update ..................................................................................... 2-18 SECTION 3 EXISTING CONDITIONS 3.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 3-1 3.2 Signal System........................................................................................... 3-2 3.3 Existing Freight Rail Traffic .................................................................... 3-2 3.4 Sidings and Support Tracks ..................................................................... 3-4 3.5 Industries .................................................................................................. 3-5 3.6 Track Chart Data ...................................................................................... 3-5 3.7 Crossing Protection .................................................................................. 3-7 TOC-1 Klotz Associates Project No. 0111.001.000 Hempstead Corridor Commuter Rail February 2012 Gulf Coast Rail District 3.8 Alignment and Profile .............................................................................. 3-9 SECTION 4 SERVICE PLAN OPTIONS 4.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 4-1 4.2 Operating Assumptions ............................................................................ 4-1 4.2.1 Temporal Separation ....................................................................... 4-2 4.2.2 UPRR Passenger Rail Policy .......................................................... 4-2 4.2.3 Upgrade Signal System to Centralized Traffic Control (CTC)….. 4-6 4.2.4 Impact to Freight Operations .......................................................... 4-7 4.2.5 Potential Intercity Passenger Rail Impacts ..................................... 4-7 4.2.6 Equipment Options ......................................................................... 4-9 4.3 Operating Scenario................................................................................... 4-11 4.3.1 Train Equipment ............................................................................. 4-11 4.3.2 Train Schedules ............................................................................... 4-12 4.3.3 Interim and 2035 Operation Plans .................................................. 4-19 SECTION 5 INFRASTRUCTURE NEEDS 5.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 5-1 5.2 Track Infrastructure ................................................................................. 5-2 5.2.1 Track Upgrades ............................................................................... 5-2 5.2.2 Sidings............................................................................................. 5-2 5.2.3 Roadway Crossings Upgrades/Signals ........................................... 5-3 5.2.4 Rail Signal Upgrade ........................................................................ 5-5 5.2.5 Bridge Replacements ...................................................................... 5-6 5.3 Stations and Facilities .............................................................................. 5-6 5.3.1 Station Platforms and Parking Facilities ......................................... 5-6 5.3.2 Rail Facilities .................................................................................. 5-8 5.3.3 Intermodal Facilities ....................................................................... 5-15 5.4 Constraints ............................................................................................... 5-16 TOC-2 Klotz Associates Project No. 0111.001.000 Hempstead Corridor Commuter Rail February 2012 Gulf Coast Rail District 5.4.1 At-Grade Crossings ......................................................................... 5-17 5.4.2 Overhead Structures ........................................................................ 5-19 5.4.3 Rail Sidings and Spurs to Service Customers ................................. 5-20 5.4.4 Floodplains and Environmental Issues ........................................... 5-21 5.4.5 Operational Constraints .................................................................. 5-22 SECTION 6 FINANCIAL ASSESSMENTS 6.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 6-1 6.2 Capital Cost Estimate ............................................................................... 6-1 6.3 Operating Cost Estimate .......................................................................... 6-4 6.4 Revenue Projections................................................................................. 6-5 6.4.1 Draft Fare Structure ........................................................................ 6-5 6.4.2 Revenue Estimates .......................................................................... 6-6 SECTION 7 OTHER BENEFITS 7.1 Introduction .............................................................................................. 7-1 7.2 Financial Benefits .................................................................................... 7-1 7.2.1 Potential Job Creation ..................................................................... 7-1 7.2.2 Sustainable Development Benefits ................................................. 7-4 7.2.3 Commuter Rail Comparison to Highway Widening ....................... 7-4 7.3 Environmental Benefits ........................................................................... 7-7 7.4 Safety Benefits ......................................................................................... 7-13 SECTION 8 LOCAL, STATE AND FEDERAL FUNDING PROFILE 8.1 Summary .................................................................................................. 8-1 8.2 Action Items ............................................................................................. 8-4 8.3 Background .............................................................................................. 8-6 8.4 Successful Federal/State/Local Funding Examples of Rail Projects ....... 8-9 8.5 Federal Funding Tools ............................................................................. 8-17 8.6 State and Local Funding Tools ................................................................ 8-29 TOC-3 Klotz Associates Project No. 0111.001.000 Hempstead Corridor Commuter Rail February 2012 Gulf Coast Rail District 8.7 Near-Term and Long-Term Issues ........................................................... 8-39 SECTION 9 ADMINISTRATIVE NEXT STEPS 9.1 Gulf Coast Rail District Actions……………………………………… .. 9-1 9.2 Passenger Interoperability Issues for the Houston Region Rail Network 9-2 9.2.1 Selection of Rolling Stock Train Equipment .................................. 9-2 9.2.2 Interim Maintenance Strategies and Yard Locations ...................... 9-3 9.2.3 Station Platforms ............................................................................. 9-4 9.2.4 Class of Track ................................................................................. 9-4 9.2.5 Train Operations and Dispatch