Webinar:

Phoenix, Arizona

December 18, 2013 © 2013, All Rights Reserved. 1

Overview of

Regional Commuter Rail

The Maricopa Association of Governments (MAG) is the designated

metropolitan planning organization (MPO) for transportation planning in

the Maricopa County region. MAG is responsible for developing a regional

transportation plan (RTP).

The RTP, approved by voters in November 2004, provides a broad vision

for the regional transportation system for the next two decades. The RTP

includes many different modes of transportation including freeways,

streets, and transit. MAG also engages in studies to evaluate future

transportation alternatives and opportunities, including commuter rail.

Website - www.azmag.gov/Projects/

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MAG Commuter Rail System Study

Multimodal RTP approved by voters in November 2004.

Commuter rail study funds allocated to MAG in RTP.

Commuter rail Strategic Plan completed in 2008.

Commuter rail System Studies Project completed in 2010 to

evaluate passenger rail service on existing BNSF Railway and

Union Pacific Railroad freight corridors and possible extensions.

Prioritized implementation through:

Ridership Potential

Operating Strategies

Capital and Operating Costs

Governance and Operating Agency

System study recommends corridor ranking, ADOT

coordination, further studies, and immediate next steps.

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WHAT IS COMMUTER RAIL?

• Peak Period, Peak Direction Service. • Traditionally caries less daily riders than light rail, but for longer distances. Similar market and characteristics with Bus Rapid Transit / Express. • Can share railroad right of way (row) and track with freight railroads and can operate concurrently (does not require exclusive right-of-way) . • Typically longer station spacing (every 3-7 miles on average) than light rail (1-2 miles) with emphasis on park-and-rides and traditional city central business districts (CBDs). • Locomotive technology (diesel or clean/green hybrid Genset). • Passenger coaches (push-pull). Engines and cars meets federally mandated structural requirements for rolling stock crash resistance • Larger, heavier profile than light rail vehicles.

• Higher max. speed (79mph), slower acceleration/deceleration than light rail. Average speed approx 44mph.

• Lower capital cost per mile($10-$20M) due to existing right of way use/ reuse. Light rail traditionally ($40-$80M).

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PEER REGIONS ~ COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEMS

SOUNDER-Seattle CALTRAIN-San Francisco ALTAMONT COMMUTER EXPRESS – San Jose METROLINK – Los Angeles

COASTER – San Diego FRONT RUNNER – Salt Lake City-Ogden RAILRUNNER – Albuquerque-Santa Fe TRINITY RAILWAY EXPRESS – Dallas-Ft. Worth

NORTHSTAR – Minneapolis- Big Lake WES – Portland CapMetroRail – Austin A-TRAIN – Denton

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AMERICAN / CANADIAN COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEMS

Los Angeles San Diego

San Jose San Francisco

Philadelphia

New York City

“Heritage” Systems (Pre-1985)

“New” Systems (Since 1985)

Opened in 2012

Proposed, planned or in design

Seattle

Montréal

Miami

Vancouver

Ft Worth Dallas

Nashville Santa Fe Albuquerque

Chicago Newark

Boston

Baltimore Washington DC

Toronto

Phoenix

Portland

Salt Lake City

Oceanside

Austin

Denton

Minneapolis

Denver

Atlanta

Houston

Marin-Sonoma

Springfield

Scranton

Charlotte

Detroit

Orlando

Anchorage/Mat-Su

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MAG REGION ~ SYSTEM STUDY CORRIDORS

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MAG REGION ~ Daily Boardings per Revenue Mile – Interlined Corridors

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36 miles / 42 min.

31 miles / 47 min.

18 miles / 29 min.

34 miles / 46 min.

OVERALL MOST PRODUCTIVE COMMUTER RAIL SYSTEM 2030 DAILY CRT BOARDINGS BY STATION

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MAG REGIONAL COUNCIL (MAY 26, 2010)

1. Accepted the findings of the Grand Avenue Commuter Rail

Corridor Development Plan, Yuma West Commuter Rail Corridor

Development Plan, and Commuter Rail System Study

2. Revise the corridor ranking included in the Commuter Rail System

Study upon the completion of update regional socioeconomic

forecasts or relevant passenger rail studies.

© 2012, All Rights Reserved. 11

COMMUTER RAIL

IMPLEMENTATION STEPS

1. Continued coordination with ADOT and railroads (ADOT Passenger Rail Study to be completed in fall 2014)

2. Determine liability and indemnification statutes (State Legislature)

3. Regional Sustainable Transportation and Land Use Integration Study (completed in Summer 2013)

4. Identify local funding

5. Develop and implement governance plan

6. Railroad agreements

7. Design and construction

8. Operation

3-5 years (avg.)

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RAIL TO RAIL CONNECTIVITY

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THANK YOU & QUESTIONS?

Marc Pearsall

Transit Planner III ~ Rail

Maricopa Association Of Governments(MAG)

602 254-6300 / email: mpearsall@azmag.gov

© 2013, All Rights Reserved.