APPENDIX F Draft Rail Transit Concepts Initial Feasibility Study Draft Rail Transit Concepts Initial Feasibility Study Little Cottonwood Canyon Environmental Impact Statement S.R. 210 - Wasatch Boulevard to Alta Lead agency: Utah Department of Transportation April 3, 2020 Contents 1.0 Introduction ..................................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Description of the Study Area ................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 Previous Analysis .................................................................................................................................... 2 2.0 Types of Rail Transit Systems ....................................................................................................................... 4 2.1 Heavy Rail/Commuter Rail ..................................................................................................................... 4 2.2 Light Rail ................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.3 Cog Rail .................................................................................................................................................. 5 2.4 Monorail .................................................................................................................................................. 6 2.5 Maglev .................................................................................................................................................... 6 2.6 SkyTran ................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.7 Funiculars ............................................................................................................................................... 7 3.0 Selection of the Most Feasible Rail Technology and Track Configuration .............................................. 8 4.0 General Considerations for Implementing a Cog Rail System .................................................................. 9 4.1 Operational Capacity and Demand ......................................................................................................... 9 4.2 Connectivity with the Existing Light Rail System .................................................................................. 10 4.2.1 Considerations for Parking ...................................................................................................... 10 4.2.2 Operations and Maintenance Facility ...................................................................................... 10 4.2.3 Operating Assumptions ........................................................................................................... 11 4.2.4 Rail Base Station, Parking Options, and Resulting Rail Alignment ......................................... 11 4.3 Right-of-way Considerations ................................................................................................................. 15 4.4 Typical Cross-section ........................................................................................................................... 16 4.5 Traction Power ...................................................................................................................................... 18 4.6 Avalanche Protections .......................................................................................................................... 19 4.7 Travel Time Assumptions ..................................................................................................................... 22 5.0 Rail Concepts Evaluation ............................................................................................................................. 22 5.1 Concept 1 – Expanded Parking and Rail Base Station at the Mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon .................................................................................................................................................. 22 5.1.1 Travel Times ............................................................................................................................ 24 5.1.2 Costs ........................................................................................................................................ 25 5.2 Concept 2 – Expanded Parking and Rail Base Station at a Gravel Pit Mobility Hub ........................... 27 5.2.1 Travel Times ............................................................................................................................ 29 5.2.2 Costs ........................................................................................................................................ 29 5.3 Concept 3 – Expanded Parking and Rail Base Station at a 9400 South and Highland Mobility Hub ....................................................................................................................................................... 31 5.3.1 Travel Times ............................................................................................................................ 31 5.3.2 Costs ........................................................................................................................................ 33 5.4 Concept 4 – Connection to the Existing TRAX System ........................................................................ 34 5.4.1 Travel Times ............................................................................................................................ 36 5.4.2 Costs ........................................................................................................................................ 38 Draft Rail Transit Concepts Initial Feasibility Study April 3, 2020 | i 6.0 Comparison of Cog Rail Concepts ............................................................................................................. 40 6.1 Rail Concept Comparisons Using the Major Feasibility Criteria ........................................................... 40 6.1.1 Travel Times ............................................................................................................................ 40 6.1.2 Capital and O&M Costs ........................................................................................................... 42 6.1.3 Comparison of Major Feasibility Criteria .................................................................................. 44 6.2 Rail Concept Comparisons Using Additional Feasibility Criteria .......................................................... 44 6.2.1 Impacts to Congestion ............................................................................................................. 44 6.2.2 Needed Roadway Improvements and Impacts to Travel Patterns .......................................... 45 6.2.3 Potential Residential Impacts .................................................................................................. 45 6.2.4 Improving Mobility and Maximizing Transit Ridership ............................................................. 45 6.2.5 Avalanche Closure Risks ......................................................................................................... 46 6.2.6 Summary of Rail Concept Comparisons Using Additional Feasibility Criteria ........................ 47 7.0 References ..................................................................................................................................................... 48 Tables Table 1. Operating Schedule .................................................................................................................................... 11 Table 2. Assumed Minimum and Extended Snow Sheds ........................................................................................ 20 Table 3. Travel Times for Concept 1 ........................................................................................................................ 24 Table 4. Concept 1, Capital Cost Range .................................................................................................................. 25 Table 5. Number of Train Trips per Year into Little Cottonwood Canyon ................................................................ 26 Table 6. Travel Times for Concept 2 ........................................................................................................................ 29 Table 7. Concept 2, Capital Cost Range .................................................................................................................. 30 Table 8. Travel Times for Concept 3 ........................................................................................................................ 31 Table 9. Concept 3, Capital Cost Range .................................................................................................................. 33 Table 10. Travel Times for Concept 4A .................................................................................................................... 36 Table 11. Travel Times for Concept 4B .................................................................................................................... 37 Table 12. Concept 4A, Capital Cost Range ............................................................................................................