final report 2004 Freight Rail Component of the Florida Rail Plan prepared for Florida Department of Transportation prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 4445 Willard Avenue, Suite 300 Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815 with Charles River Associates June 2005 final report 2004 Freight Rail Component of the Florida Rail Plan prepared for Florida Department of Transportation prepared by Cambridge Systematics, Inc. 4445 Willard Avenue, Suite 300 Chevy Chase, Maryland 20815 with Charles River Associates Inc. June 2005 2004 Freight Rail Component of the Florida Rail Plan Table of Contents Executive Summary .............................................................................................................. ES-1 Purpose........................................................................................................................... ES-1 Florida’s Rail System.................................................................................................... ES-2 Freight Rail and the Florida Economy ....................................................................... ES-7 Trends and Issues.......................................................................................................... ES-15 Future Rail Investment Needs .................................................................................... ES-17 Strategies and Funding Opportunities ...................................................................... ES-19 Recommendations......................................................................................................... ES-21 1.0 Introduction.................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.1 Purpose................................................................................................................... 1-1 1.2 Authority ................................................................................................................ 1-2 1.3 Contents.................................................................................................................. 1-3 2.0 Policy Issues, Roles, and Responsibilities ............................................................... 2-1 2.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 2-1 2.2 Public Sector Involvement in Florida Freight Rail ........................................... 2-2 2.2.1 Local Rail Freight Assistance Program................................................ 2-4 2.2.2 Fast Track Economic Growth Transportation Initiative and Transportation Outreach Program....................................................... 2-5 2.2.3 Highway-Rail Grade Crossing Program ............................................. 2-5 2.2.4 Operation Lifesaver................................................................................ 2-6 2.3 Strategic Intermodal System................................................................................ 2-7 3.0 Current Freight Rail System and Services in Florida............................................. 3-1 3.1 Overview ................................................................................................................ 3-1 3.2 Railroad Profiles.................................................................................................... 3-1 3.2.1 Alabama and Gulf Coast Railway ........................................................ 3-4 3.2.2 AN Railway, L.L.C.................................................................................. 3-5 3.2.3 Bay Line Railroad, L.L.C........................................................................ 3-6 3.2.4 CSX Transportation................................................................................ 3-7 3.2.5 Florida Central Railroad ........................................................................ 3-8 3.2.6 Florida East Coast Railway.................................................................... 3-9 3.2.7 Florida Midland Railroad ...................................................................... 3-10 3.2.8 Florida Northern Railroad..................................................................... 3-11 3.2.9 Florida West Coast Railroad Company, Inc........................................ 3-12 3.2.10 Georgia and Florida RailNet ................................................................. 3-13 3.2.11 Norfolk Southern.................................................................................... 3-14 3.2.12 Seminole Gulf Railway........................................................................... 3-15 3.2.13 South Central Florida Express .............................................................. 3-16 3.3 Traffic Description................................................................................................ 3-17 3.4 Safety Record......................................................................................................... 3-25 3.5 Abandonment History.......................................................................................... 3-27 Florida Department of Transportation i 7429.022 2004 Freight Rail Component of the Florida Rail Plan Table of Contents (continued) 4.0 Freight Rail and the Florida Economy....................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Why is Freight Rail Important to the Florida Economy .................................. 4-1 4.1.1 Underlying Trends that Affect Rail and Transportation Demand in Florida .................................................................................................. 4-4 4.1.2 Employment ............................................................................................ 4-6 4.1.3 Income ...................................................................................................... 4-7 4.2 Rail-Intensive Industries...................................................................................... 4-8 4.2.1 Phosphates and Fertilizers..................................................................... 4-10 4.2.2 Distribution and Retail........................................................................... 4-15 4.2.3 Agriculture and Food............................................................................. 4-21 4.2.4 Paper and Fiber ....................................................................................... 4-26 4.2.5 Automotive Distribution....................................................................... 4-29 4.2.6 Energy....................................................................................................... 4-37 4.2.7 Construction ............................................................................................ 4-42 4.3 Summary ................................................................................................................ 4-46 5.0 Trends and Issues Impacting Florida’s Freight Rail System ................................ 5-1 5.1 Purpose................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.2 Interviews – Methodology and Results ............................................................. 5-1 5.2.1 Interview Methodology......................................................................... 5-1 5.2.2 Public-Sector Role in Freight Rail......................................................... 5-3 5.2.3 Freight Rail System Status, Trends, and Issues .................................. 5-6 5.2.4 Policy, Funding, and Wrap-Up............................................................. 5-11 5.3 CSXT Strategic Plan for Florida........................................................................... 5-13 5.3.1 “State of Florida & CSXT: Building for the New Economy”............ 5-13 5.3.2 Implications for Florida Rail Service.................................................... 5-17 5.4 National Trends and Issues ................................................................................. 5-17 5.4.1 Changing Customer Needs ................................................................... 5-18 5.4.2 New Operations and Technology......................................................... 5-20 5.4.3 Safety ........................................................................................................ 5-23 5.4.4 Security..................................................................................................... 5-24 5.4.5 Initiatives of Regional and National Significance .............................. 5-26 5.5 Florida Railroad Suppliers................................................................................... 5-27 6.0 Florida Freight Rail Needs Assessment .................................................................... 6-1 6.1 Purpose................................................................................................................... 6-1 6.2 Methodology.......................................................................................................... 6-2 6.3 Findings .................................................................................................................. 6-3 6.3.1 Line Upgrade and Extension................................................................. 6-5 6.3.2 Facility Upgrade and Expansion .......................................................... 6-6 6.3.3 Safety and Security ................................................................................. 6-7 6.3.4 Landside Access.....................................................................................