Technical Report Documentation Page 1. Report No. 2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient’s Catalog No. SWUTC/11/161003-1 4. Title and Subtitle 5. Report Date How Fast Is a Fast Train? Comparing Attitudes and Preferences for December 2011 Improved Passenger Rail Service among Urban Areas in the South 6. Performing Organization Code Central High-Speed Rail Corridor 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Report No. Benjamin R. Sperry and Curtis A. Morgan Report 161003-1 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Work Unit No. (TRAIS) Texas Transportation Institute The Texas A&M University System 11. Contract or Grant No. College Station, Texas 77843-3135 10727 12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 13. Type of Report and Period Covered Southwest Region University Transportation Center Research Report: Texas Transportation Institute September 2009-August 2011 Texas A&M University System 14. Sponsoring Agency Code College Station, Texas 77843-3135 15. Supplementary Notes Supported by general revenues from the State of Texas. 16. Abstract High-speed passenger rail is seen by many in the U.S. transportation policy and planning communities as an ideal solution for fast, safe, and resource-efficient mobility in high-demand intercity corridors between 100 and 500 miles in total endpoint-to-endpoint length. As the nation moves forward with a significant investment to improve its intercity passenger rail system, a number of planning and policy barriers still exist, making it difficult to fully realize the anticipated benefits of high-speed passenger rail. Using data from an Internet-based survey of residents in three communities in Central Texas—Waco, Temple, and Hillsboro—this research project examined the potential impacts of new intercity passenger rail service on small- or medium-sized communities located in the intermediate area between two larger urban areas that form the endpoints of a federally designated intercity high-speed rail corridor. Responses from more than 1,000 surveyed residents found that residents’ attitudes toward new intercity passenger rail service are generally favorable and that trains could be used instead of automobiles for some intercity trips. The project’s findings provide a foundation for later investment-grade ridership studies in the corridor and have potential applications in planning for intercity passenger rail and transportation policy development. 17. Key Words 18. Distribution Statement Intercity Passenger Rail, High-Speed Passenger Rail, No restrictions. This document is available to Passenger Rail Planning the public through NTIS: National Technical Information Service Alexandria, Virginia 22312 http://www.ntis.gov 19. Security Classif.(of this report) 20. Security Classif.(of this page) 21. No. of Pages 22. Price Unclassified Unclassified 89 Form DOT F 1700.7 (8-72) Reproduction of completed page authorized. How Fast Is a Fast Train? Comparing Attitudes and Preferences for Improved Passenger Rail Service among Urban Areas in the South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor by: Benjamin R. Sperry Graduate Assistant Researcher Texas Transportation Institute and Curtis A. Morgan Program Manager Texas Transportation Institute SWUTC/11/161003-1 Prepared for: Southwest Region University Transportation Center Multimodal Freight Transportation Programs Texas Transportation Institute The Texas A&M University System College Station, Texas 77843-3135 December 2011 ABSTRACT High-speed passenger rail is seen by many in the U.S. transportation policy and planning communities as an ideal solution for fast, safe, and resource-efficient mobility in high-demand intercity corridors between 100 and 500 miles in total endpoint-to-endpoint length. As the nation moves forward with a significant investment to improve its intercity passenger rail system, a number of planning and policy barriers still exist, making it difficult to fully realize the anticipated benefits of high-speed passenger rail. Using data from an Internet-based survey of residents in three communities in Central Texas—Waco, Temple, and Hillsboro—this research project examined the potential impacts of new intercity passenger rail service on small- or medium-sized communities located in the intermediate area between two larger urban areas that form the endpoints of a federally designated intercity high-speed rail corridor. Responses from more than 1,000 surveyed residents found that residents’ attitudes toward new intercity passenger rail service are generally favorable and that trains could be used instead of automobiles for some intercity trips. The project’s findings provide a foundation for later investment-grade ridership studies in the corridor and have potential applications in planning for intercity passenger rail and transportation policy development. v EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION AND APPLICATIONS OF RESEARCH High-speed passenger rail is seen by many in the U.S. transportation policy and planning communities as an ideal solution for fast, safe, and resource-efficient mobility in high-demand intercity corridors between 100 and 500 miles in total endpoint-to-endpoint length. As the nation moves forward with a significant investment to improve its intercity passenger rail system, a number of planning and policy barriers still exist, making it difficult to fully realize the anticipated benefits of high-speed passenger rail. To expand the body of knowledge for high- speed intercity passenger rail planning in the U.S., the Southwest University Transportation Center initiated this research project to examine the potential impacts of new intercity passenger rail service on small- or medium-sized communities in the intermediate area between two larger urban areas that form the endpoints of a federally designated high-speed rail corridor. In these communities, where intercity transportation options may be more limited, the potential development of new intercity passenger rail lines represents an opportunity to realize benefits on a number of fronts. However, these opportunities may not be fully realized if the alignment of new rights-of-way or train stopping patterns focus on endpoint traffic and neglect the mobility needs of the intermediate communities. The objective of this research, therefore, was to develop a better understanding of the attitudes, perceptions, and expectations for improved passenger rail service among residents of communities that are located in the intermediate areas of an intercity corridor that has been designated for future high-speed passenger rail investment. This research examined several topics that have potential application for transportation policy and intercity passenger rail planning practice in Texas and elsewhere in the U.S. For intercity passenger rail planning, this research indicated that new intercity rail service in intermediate communities would be welcomed among residents, who appear to recognize the benefits of traveling by rail instead of driving and also believe that rail service would have a positive overall impact on local communities. However, the reader is cautioned that while this study gathered information on citizens’ opinions regarding rail travel, the data generated by this research were insufficient to serve as investment-grade ridership or revenue estimates for new intercity passenger rail routes. Such studies are currently planned and being pursued separately vii by the Texas Department of Transportation via recognized consulting firms with experience and expertise in conducting investment-grade high-speed intercity passenger rail ridership studies in the U.S. and internationally. This research serves only as an indicator of the opinions of those in the small- and medium-sized cities that were surveyed. For transportation policy development, the findings of this research provide guidance to policymakers and rail planners on the messages that could be delivered to residents of intermediate communities to gain momentum or to obtain resident buy-in on planned new passenger rail investments. For example, residents in the three study communities agreed that new rail service would benefit local businesses, attract jobs, and develop new visitor and tourism markets; such messages should be used to generate support for new rail investments. Ultimately, the detailed ridership and revenue studies, in conjunction with operational planning for overall system speed, will drive the locations where a rail corridor or specific station stop is warranted. SURVEY ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS Three communities (all located in Texas) that offered an ideal setting for this research project were identified and selected for detailed study: Waco, Temple, and Hillsboro. These three communities are located in Central Texas in the intermediate area between Dallas/Fort Worth and Austin along the federally designated South Central High-Speed Rail Corridor (SCHSRC). An Internet-based survey questionnaire containing 19 questions was administered to residents of the three selected communities over a three-month period in 2011. Residents were recruited to participate in the survey by way of direct e-mail recruitment, newspaper advertising, and direct recruitment at activity centers in each community. In total, 1,160 survey responses were obtained from residents of the three study communities. Analysis of the resident surveys revealed valuable information about the travel behavior and preferences of residents of the three study communities. Analysis of current intercity travel by automobile to five major urban areas in Texas