South Bay Cities Railroad Study BNSF Harbor Subdivision Final Report Prepared for: Southern California Association of Governments In Coordination with South Bay Cities Council of Governments The preparation of this report was financed in part through grants from the United States Department of Transportation – Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration – under provisions of the Transportation Equity Act of the 21st Century. Additional financial assistance was provided by the California State Department of Transportation. Prepared by: Wilbur Smith Associates Schiermeyer Consulting Services Cheryl Downey February 28, 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS Executive Summary Project Overview .................................................................................................... ES-1 How the Study was done......................................................................................... ES-1 Recommendations................................................................................................... ES-2 Next Steps ............................................................................................................... ES-2 1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of the Study........................................................................................ 1-1 1.2 Study Process................................................................................................... 1-2 1.3 Agencies Consulted.......................................................................................... 1-3 1.4 Legal Framework ............................................................................................. 1-4 1.4.1 Shared Use Agreement for the Harbor Subdivision ............................. 1-4 1.4.2 Alameda Corridor Use and Operating Agreement ............................... 1-4 1.4.3 Funding Sources................................................................................... 1-5 1.4.4 Abandoned Crossings........................................................................... 1-8 2 Existing Conditions 2.1 Railroad Corridor Description.......................................................................... 2-1 2.1.1 Train Speeds......................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 At-grade Crossings............................................................................... 2-3 2.1.3 Right of Way Widths ........................................................................... 2-4 2.1.4 Utility Easements in Corridor............................................................... 2-7 2.1.5 Track Classification Standards............................................................. 2-7 2.2 Corridor Demographics.................................................................................... 2-8 2.2.1 Land Use .............................................................................................. 2-8 2.2.2 Population ............................................................................................ 2-12 2.2.3 Employment ......................................................................................... 2-13 2.3 Railroad Operations ......................................................................................... 2-14 2.3.1 Shippers................................................................................................ 2-15 2.3.2 Trains and Hours of Operation............................................................. 2-17 2.3.3 Train Length and Speed ....................................................................... 2-17 2.3.4 Line Maintenance ................................................................................ 2-17 2.3.5 Yards, Sidings, Leased Tracks, Storage, and Switching Activity......... 2-18 2.4 Vehicular Traffic Operations............................................................................ 2-19 2.4.1 Vehicular Traffic Volumes................................................................... 2-19 2.4.2 Crossing Delays ................................................................................... 2-20 2.4.3 Nearby Intersection Delays ................................................................. 2-22 2.5 Safety ............................................................................................................... 2-23 364940 SOUTH BAY CITIES RAILROAD STUDY WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES FINAL REPORT Page i FEBRUARY 28, 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS 2.5.1 Definitions............................................................................................ 2-23 2.5.2 Railroad Protection Devices ................................................................ 2-24 2.5.3 At-grade Crossing Accidents/Incidents................................................ 2-24 2.5.4 Railroad Accidents/Incidents............................................................... 2-28 2.5.5 Nearby Accidents................................................................................. 2-28 3 Future Conditions 3.1 Future Corridor Demographics ........................................................................ 3-1 3.1.1 Land Use .............................................................................................. 3-1 3.1.2 Population ............................................................................................ 3-1 3.1.3 Employment ......................................................................................... 3-2 3.2 Future Freight Rail Operations......................................................................... 3-3 3.2.1 Shippers................................................................................................ 3-3 3.2.2 Trains and Hours of Operations ........................................................... 3-4 3.2.3 Train Lengths and Speed...................................................................... 3-4 3.2.4 Line Maintenance ................................................................................ 3-4 3.2.5 Yards, Sidings, Leased Tracks, Storage, and Switching Activity......... 3-5 3.2.6 Alameda Corridor Capacity ................................................................. 3-5 3.2.7 Air Quality and Noise........................................................................... 3-5 3.3 Future Vehicular Traffic Operations................................................................ 3-7 3.3.1 Planned Railroad Grade Separation Projects....................................... 3-7 3.3.2 VehicleTraffic Volumes ....................................................................... 3-7 3.3.3 Crossing Delays.................................................................................... 3-7 3.3.4 Nearby Intersection Delays.................................................................. 3-10 3.4 Safety ............................................................................................................... 3-10 3.4.1 Changes to At-grade Crossing Warning Devices................................. 3-10 3.4.2 Crossing and Railroad Accidents ......................................................... 3-12 3.5 Other Railroad and Transit Alternatives .......................................................... 3-12 3.5.1 Green Line Extension to Los Angeles International Airport ............... 3-13 3.5.2 High Speed Rail to LAX ...................................................................... 3-14 3.5.3 Conventional Rail Passenger Service to LAX ..................................... 3-14 3.5.4 New Light Rail or Bus Rapid Transit to LAX...................................... 3-16 3.5.5 Rail Shuttle Service from South Bay Points......................................... 3-17 3.5.6 Extension of Metro Green Line to Torrance........................................ 3-19 3.5.7 Service to Long Beach......................................................................... 3-20 3.5.8 Summary of Alternative Rail Uses of the Right of Way...................... 3-20 3.6 Other Alternative Uses of the Right of Way.................................................... 3-21 3.6.1 Widen Adjacent Streets........................................................................ 3-21 3.6.2 Linear Parkway or Trail....................................................................... 3-22 3.6.3 Expand Adjoining Uses........................................................................ 3-23 3.6.4 Utility Corridors ................................................................................... 3-23 364940 SOUTH BAY CITIES RAILROAD STUDY WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES FINAL REPORT Page ii FEBRUARY 28, 2002 TABLE OF CONTENTS 4 Findings and Recommendations 4.1 Findings............................................................................................................ 4-1 4.1.1 Corridor Demographics........................................................................ 4-1 4.1.2 Future Rail Operations......................................................................... 4-1 4.1.3 Vehicular Operations............................................................................ 4-2 4.1.4 Safety ................................................................................................... 4-2 4.1.5 Alternative Uses................................................................................... 4-2 4.2 Recommendations............................................................................................ 4-3 4.2.1 Maintain Existing Protection at Crossings ........................................... 4-3 4.2.2 Traffic Improvements