RIO GRANDE RAPID RAIL PASSENGER FEASIBILITY STUDY. FINAL REPORT

This final report documents the feasibility of implementing rapid rail passenger services in the Albuquerque to Santa Fe Rio Grande Corridor and the issues and opportunities afforded to the State of New Mexico by such a rapid rail concept. The study seeks to determine whether any type of rail service is appropriate, and whether it would be cost effective and practical. It is intended to be advisory in nature so that residents of New Mexico and their elected officials can prudently decide whether to pursue rail service or whether to continue to rely exclusively on the current transportation modes (car, bus, airplane). The Plan focuses only on the Santa Fe to Albuquerque Corridor (the most densely populated and most heavily traveled area in the State); considers the use of existing and proven technologies; keeps implementation costs to a minimum by making use of existing trackage and available right-of-way; and considers not only the transportation needs but also economic development implications such as job creation and land development. Overall the study focuses on the rail system most appropriate for New Mexico--conventional, electrified inter-city trains such as those that operate in the Northeast Corridor and throughout Europe. In addition, the study reports that a rapid rail system makes more sense than anticipated, and it recommends that the State review and consider the analyses presented in this feasibility study before making any type of decision regarding the transportation future of the State.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • Prepared in cooperation with the Kellogg Corporation in association with Bachman Associates, and Koogle & Pouls Engineering; prepared for the New Mexico Transportation Department.
• Corporate Authors:

  Smith (Wilbur) and Associates

  Nationsbank Tower, 1301 Gervais Street, P.O. Box 92
  Columbia, SC  United States  29202-0092

  Urban Mass Transportation Administration

  400 7th Street, SW
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Publication Date: 1985-8

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos; Tables;
• Pagination: 389 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Airport access; Corridors; Economic development; Electric railroads; Forecasting; High speed rail; Implementation; Intercity transportation; Modal split; Operating costs; Travel demand
• Geographic Terms: New Mexico
• Old TRIS Terms: Umta section 8
• Subject Areas: Aviation; Economics; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Research;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00456266
• Record Type: Publication
• Contract Numbers: UMTA-NM-08-8009
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1986 12:00AM