Statewide Rail Capacity and System Needs Study

This study was initiated by the Washington State Legislature to answer the question: "Should the State continue to participate in the freight and passenger rail system, and if so, how can it most effectively achieve public benefits?" The study purpose was to (a) assess the rail freight and rail passenger infrastructure needs in Washington State; (b) review the current powers, authorities, and interests the State has in both passenger and freight rail; (c) recommend public policies for state participation and ownership in rail infrastructure and service delivery, including, but not limited to, planning and governance issues; and (d) develop a rail asset management plan. The report is organized in five chapters as follows: (1) Executive Summary; (2) Introduction and Background; (3) Washington State Rail System, Rail Users, Capacity, and Issues - This chapter describes the rail system, identifies the key rail users, summarizes the study findings about current and projected capacity, and discusses the implications of capacity and service shortfalls for rail users and Washington State; (4) Washington State Powers, Authorities, and Interests - This chapter summarizes the State's current rail policies and programs; lists the State's recent investments in rail lines, railcars, and other rail equipment; and identifies, in broad terms, the roles that the State can play to shape the future of the rail system; and (5) Policy Recommendations - This chapter details the six policy recommendations.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.wstc.wa.gov/Rail/RailFinalReport.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  Cambridge Systematics, Incorporated

  20 North Wacker Drive, Suite 1475
  Chicago, IL  United States  60606

  Washington State Transportation Commission

  Transportation Building, P.O. Box 47308
  Olympia, WA  United States  98504-7308
• Publication Date: 2006-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Glossary; Tables;
• Pagination: 73p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asset management; Freight and passenger services; Infrastructure; Investments; Needs assessment; Public policy; Railroad transportation; Recommendations
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rail capacity
• Geographic Terms: Washington (State)
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Operations and Traffic Management; Passenger Transportation; Policy; Railroads; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01043050
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Mar 2 2007 4:10PM