TD1 00:AZ11-RA/ex -1: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Q Arizona Transportation Research Center N Library ~ 206 South 17th Avenue, #075R v- Phoenix, AZ. 85007 <'\l lntroduc ·on development patterns. Commuter rail, conventional intercity rail, and ultimately high-speed rail all have roles Arizona's economy needs an efficient and competitive rail to play in Arizo na's multimodal transportation system . network to compete globally. A healthy rail network must provide a reliable, accessible, and cost effective service As the State of Arizona continues to grow in population to shippers and customers across the State. In add ition, there will be a need for urban and rural communities to a fast, frequent and reliable passenger ra il se rvice expand their existing transportation systems to support between population centers and tourist destinations the add itional population. Transportation infrastructure across the State that is competitive with automobile and can be used as a t oo l to focus growth and plan for more air travel times is important to the State's economic and sustainable built communities that incorporate all environmental well-being and overall quality of life. transportation modes. Arizona's economy needs an efficient and competitive rail network to compete globally Benefits of Rail for Arizona Arizona's railroads have historically played a crucial role in the State's transportation system, and continue to do so today. Rail provides a cost-effective and efficient mode of transportation for moving large quantities of freight over Transportation infrastructure can be used as a tool long distances. Of all modes of transportation, railroads to focus growth and plan for more sustainable bu ilt cause the least air pollution per unit of freight carried. commun ities Shifting just 10 percent of future long-haul freight from An efficient passenger and freight rail system will trucks to rail would reduce fuel consumption in the encourage infill development and revitalization of U.S. by more than one billion gallons per year which existing com munities which promotes focused growth can improve overall air quality and reduce t he amount patterns surrounding multimodal transportation nodes. of green house gas emissions. Passenger rail service, Transportation combined with focused growth leads although mostly serving tourists today, cou ld provide an to a reduction in the number of trips and improved alternative mode of travel for Arizonans in the future, location efficie ncy. This will help alleviate traffic and may help focus growth to achieve more sustainable congestion on the state's highway system, and contribute Arizona State Rail Plan -Executive Summary EX-1 March 2011 Arizona State Rail Plan - Executive Summary to more livable communities which promote context to include rail projects in the State's long-range planning sensitive solutions that help to preserve the natural processes to improve regional and statewide safety and environment. Incorporating additional mobility choices mobility, and ensure eligibility for federal rail funding. to Arizona communities will contribute to quality of life improvements. The SRP is an integral part of a multimodal long­ range planning process. In 2007, at the direction of Strategic investments in ra ilroad facilities, related the Governor's Office and the State Transportation industries and ancillary services can also open new Board, ADOT began work on a long-range (year 2050) opportunities for economic growth and development. transportation planning vision for Arizona known as the According to the U.S. Department of Commerce data, Building a Qualify Arizona - Statewide Transportation every dollar spent on investments in freight railroads - Framework Study (STFS). tracks, equipment, locomotives, and bridges - yields three dollars in economic output. According to a U.S. Department of Commerce model of the U.S. economy, the nation's freight railroads gene rate nearly $265 billion in total economic activity each year, including direct, indirect, and induced effects. In addition, each $1 billion of rail investment creates 20,000 jobs. Investments in railroads also alleviate congestion on highways resulting in reduction of air pollutant em issions, and provide a competitive transportation alternative reducing the cost of transporting goods. Backgrou nd and u ose o the St Rail Pan The Arizona State Rail Plan (SRP) is the first comprehensive assessment of the State's rail needs and was initiated in response to the increasing involvement by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) in freight and The Statewide Ra il Framework Study covers both freight passenger rail issues. The SRP serves to identify the and passenger opportun ities and is the foundation for current rail system, determine infrastructure needs, and this State Ra il Plan EX-2 Arizona State Rail Plan -Executive Summary March 2011 Arizona Department of Transportation The 2009 Statewide Rail Framework Study (SR FS) began Arizona's railroads generate five million tons of freight as an outgrowth of the STFS . The SRFS, which covers traffic an nually from locations in Arizona, including glass both freight and passenger rail, built a foundation for and stone products, waste and scrap, primary metal the State Rail Plan by identifying benefits and needs, products, chemica ls, and metallic ores. The railroads bring developing strategic rail investment opportunities, and to Arizo na nea rly 28 million tons of freight traffic annually recommending implementation pursuits for t he State of that te rminates in the State, including coal, lumber and Arizona. The Arizona State Rail Plan will provide input wood products, glass and stone products, farm products, on rail priorities for the State Long Range Transportation and food. Figure EX.l presents the existing railroads in Plan (LRTP). the State of Arizo na. A Vision of Rail Transportation in 2030 Class I Ra ilroads A safe, secure, efficient and cost-effective passenger and Both Class I ra ilroads have trans-Arizona connections freight rail network forms an integral part of Arizona's and also provide service into Phoenix on branch lines. multimodal transportation system . Arizona rai lroads Additiona l branch lines serve industrial and mining promote economic opportunities and environmental operations, while the Nogales subdivision of the UPRR sustainability that reflect the high value Arizonans place connects to the Mexican border and interchanges wit,h on their unique southwestern lifestyle. Ferromex. To attain this vision, the State Ra il Plan sup ports the BNSF operates freight trains along its Transcon Corridor following goals: between Los Ange les and Chicago, passing through Kingman, Will iam s, Flagstaff, Winslow, Holbrook and Goal I: Improve mobility and accessibility. access to other com munities in northern Arizona. the national passenger and freight rail system, and the efficiency of goods movements. UPRR's main line, the Sunset Route, runs across the southern portion of the state connecting Los Angeles and Goal II: Support economic growth, retain and generate New Orleans, passing through Yuma, Wellton, Gila Bend, jobs, and help enhance the State's global competitive Maricopa, Ca sa Grande, Eloy, Marana, Tucson, Benson position through strategic freight initiatives. and Willcox in southern Arizona. Goal Ill: Promote sustainable transportation and land use Through coordination, use rail transportation as a tool to focus 75% growth creating more sustainable built communities that incorporate all transportation modes. Goal IV: Preserve the environment. natural an d cultural resources. move passengers and freight in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. Goal V: Provide safety and security, and protect people, cargo, and infrastructure. Inbound 21% Within State 2% Existing Arizona Railroad Network 2% Arizona's railroad network is composed of two Class I Railroads bring to Arizona nearly 28 million tons of freight railroads, BNSF Railway (BNSF) and Union Pacifi c Railroad traffic annually that terminates in the State (UPRR), and a number of short line railroads. Arizona State Rail Plan -Executive Summary 3 March 2011 Arizona State Rail Plan - Executive Summary Passenger Rail • Black Mesa & Lake Powell Railroad • Camp Navajo Railroad The Amtrak Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited are long-distance trains that serve interstate passenger rail • Copper Basin Railway demand. The BNSF Transcon Corridor through Arizona • Drake Switching Company carries the Amtrak Southwest Chief intercity passenger • Freepo rt McMoRan Morenci Mine service, which stops at four stations located in Winslow, • Freeport McMoRan Sierrita Mine Flagstaff, Williams Junction and Kingman . Amtrak's Port of Tucson combined Sunset Limited/Texas Eagle passenger service • traverses the UPRR Sunset Route three times per week. • San Pedro & Southwestern Railroad In Arizona, the Sunset Lim ited stops at fo ur stations located in Benson, Tucson, Maricopa and Yuma . Ar" ~'n a has thirteen active short line railroads primarily The Southwest Chief and Sunset limited are two long- serving the mining and building industries distance Amtrak routes which serve Arizona Tourist Railroads Short Line Railroads Three tourist railroads operate within the State of Most of Arizona's short lines are former segments of Arizona. The Grand Canyon Railroad owns its own one of the two Class I systems. All of the short lines are dedicated rail corridor and operates daily between connected to the national system except the Black Mesa Williams