Planning Capacity Improvements in the Chicago – Milwaukee – Madison Rail Corridor Using the Rail Traffic Controller (RTC) Rail Operations Simulation Model

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alan Tobias ◽  
David House ◽  
Randy Wade
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Simulation Software ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Wisconsin Department ◽  
Commuter Rail ◽  
Canadian Pacific Railway ◽  
Planning Capacity ◽  
Rail Service ◽  
Rail Traffic

The Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) contracted HNTB Corporation (HNTB) to utilize the Rail Traffic Controller™ (RTC™) computer simulation software developed by Berkeley Simulation Software to analyze the rail capacity requirements for high speed (110 mph maximum) Chicago to Milwaukee to Madison passenger rail service. The purpose of this study was to determine whether sufficient capacity exists in the corridor to accommodate the projected growth in intercity passenger rail service as well as growth in freight and commuter rail service. Where capacity constraints were identified, the model was also used to evaluate the benefits of proposed infrastructure improvements. HNTB and WisDOT worked with Illinois DOT, the Canadian Pacific Railway, Metra and Amtrak to identify and test rail improvements that will provide sufficient capacity for projected future high speed, commuter and freight rail services in the corridor. The modeling results are shown through string lines and tables comparing the impacts of each case on the performance of each type of train. Metrics used include: • Average speeds. • Delay minutes per 100 miles. • On Time Performance (for passenger trains). RTC is a very useful tool for the simulation of current and proposed rail operations. It has helped identify bottlenecks and analyze the effectiveness of proposed improvements. The model results from this study are a critical component in WisDOT’s negotiations with CP over the extent and location of capacity improvements for high speed operations. The RTC model output also supported WisDOT’s application for federal stimulus funding for the corridor improvements.

Results of the 2016 Hiawatha Service Passenger Survey

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Sperry ◽  
Tyler Collins
Keyword(s):  
Travel Behavior ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Survey Analysis ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Wisconsin Department ◽  
Work Commute ◽  
Profile Characteristics ◽  
Comparison Of The Results ◽  
Rail Service

The Hiawatha Service is an Amtrak intercity passenger rail service that operates the 90-mile route between Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and Chicago, Illinois. As part of its management and oversight role for the route, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT) routinely conducts surveys of passengers traveling on the Hiawatha Service. The most recent survey was conducted in May 2016. This paper reports a summary of the key findings from the 2016 Hiawatha Service passenger survey. Analysis of more than 2,400 surveys reveals significant details of the travel behavior and demographic profile characteristics of Hiawatha Service passengers. A majority of passengers on weekday trains are traveling for work commute or business-related purposes while a majority of weekend passenger trips are leisure or personal trips. Approximately 70 percent of passengers would drive if the Hiawatha Service were not available, indicating that the train has a meaningful impact on highway congestion. Additional details on passenger motivations for using rail and the importance of on-board Wi-Fi service are also provided. Comparison of the results from 2016 with previous surveys conducted in 2002/2003, 2005, and 2011 demonstrates the role of the Hiawatha Service in the Milwaukee-Chicago travel corridor.

Amtrak Acela: The Challenge of High-Speed Passenger Rail Service

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Benson ◽  
Jessica Hermo ◽  
James S. O’Rourke
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Service

Results From the 2011 Hiawatha Service Passenger Study

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin R. Sperry ◽  
Curtis A. Morgan
Keyword(s):  
Critical Role ◽  
Major Elements ◽  
State Funding ◽  
Research Project ◽  
Trip Purpose ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Wisconsin Department ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rail Service

The Hiawatha Service is an Amtrak intercity passenger rail service operating a 90-mile route between Milwaukee, Wisconsin and Chicago, Illinois. The route has experienced a steady growth in ridership in recent years, carrying more than 815,000 passengers during the 12-month period ending September 2011. Owing to the route’s trip-time competitiveness with the automobile, frequent daily service, an intermodal connection with the airport in Milwaukee, and the multi-state funding partnership between the states of Wisconsin and Illinois, the Hiawatha Service is a model of how passenger rail can be an integral part of the multimodal transportation system in an intercity corridor. In January 2011, researchers from the Texas Transportation Institute (TTI) passenger rail research group, with financial support from the University Transportation Center for Mobility (UTCM) and in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT), initiated a research project to examine the mobility impacts of the Hiawatha Service intercity passenger rail route. One of the major elements of this research project was an on-board survey of Hiawatha Service passengers, implemented in Spring 2011. This paper reports a summary of selected findings from the 2011 TTI/WisDOT Hiawatha Service passenger survey. The survey obtained valuable information about the current passengers, including data on passenger trip purpose, activities before and after the rail trip, travel alternatives to the Hiawatha Service if the route was not available, motivations for choosing rail for the trip, the impact of potential service changes on increasing ridership, and demographic profile data. A majority of passengers traveling on weekdays were regular commuters or business travelers while personal trips are dominant on weekends. Nearly 70 percent of passengers would drive if the rail service was not available, suggesting that the Hiawatha Service plays a critical role in relieving highway congestion in the region. The results of this study can be used by public agency planning staff and policymakers to guide the development of new intercity passenger rail services in similar corridors across the U.S.

Management of Broken Rail Risk for High Speed Passenger Rail

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Allan M. Zarembski
Keyword(s):  
North America ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
The Uk ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Inspection Scheduling ◽  
Rail Service ◽  
Research Studies

The issue of broken rail risk has been of major concern to railways worldwide, to include passenger and freight railways. Broken rail derailments on high speed passenger operations are of particular concern, as depicted by the consequences of the 2000 Hatfield derailment in the UK. Research studies have shown that the risk of broken rail derailments is directly related to the rate of rail defect development and the associated relationship between service defects and detected defects. This paper examines the relationship between rail defects and broken rail derailments together with techniques used to reduce the risk of these broken rail derailments. Specifically, the paper focuses on the relationship between all defects, service defects and derailments and examines the effect on improved inspection, either through improved inspection technology or improved inspection scheduling, on reducing rail service defects and associated derailments. The paper also examines the levels of broken rail risk that have been found on freight and passenger systems in North America and Europe and provides guidelines for the range of broken rail risk that has been found effective.

scholarly journals Hotfoot for the Iron Horse

2000 ◽  
Vol 122 (06) ◽  
pp. 46-52
Author(s):  
Henry Baumgartner
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
21St Century ◽  
High Speed ◽  
The United States ◽  
Political Support ◽  
Economic Factors ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
Rail System ◽  
The Us ◽  
Rail Service

Attempts are under way to bring US rail service into the 21st century. A range of initiatives that may spark further advances in the US rail system are under way in the United States and abroad. Amtrak’s new Acela Express is scheduled to go into service this summer in the Northeast Corridor. It is expected to achieve a speed of 150 mph. Freshly arrived at Philadelphia’s Penn Coach Yards, the Acela Express power car is unwrapped and inspected. The covering of the nose has been pushed up, revealing the engine underneath. Amtrak, which hopes its new high-speed service will finally nudge it into the black, has ambitious plans to start high-speed services in other areas of the country. The US Department of Transportation has designated several corridors where economic factors and local political support seem to indicate a chance of success.

State Rail Plans: The Integration of Freight and Passenger Rail Planning

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kevin Keller
Keyword(s):  
Implementation Strategies ◽  
The State ◽  
Rail Transportation ◽  
Department Of Transportation ◽  
The Public ◽  
Rail Network ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
The Us ◽  
Rail Service

The Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA) was created to reauthorize the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, and strengthen the US passenger rail network by tasking Amtrak, the U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), States, and other stakeholders in improving service, operations, and facilities. PRIIA also tasks States with establishing or designating a State rail transportation authority that will develop Statewide rail plans to set policy involving freight and passenger rail transportation within their boundaries, establish priorities and implementation strategies to enhance rail service in the public interest, and serve as the basis for Federal and State rail investments within the State. In order to comply with PRIIA, State rail plans are required to address a broad spectrum of issues, including an inventory of the existing rail transportation system, rail services and facilities within the State. They must also include an explanation of the State’s passenger rail service objectives, an analysis of rail’s transportation, economic, and environmental impacts in the State, and a long-range investment program for current and future freight and passenger infrastructure in the State. The plans are to be coordinated with other State transportation planning programs and clarify long-term service and investment needs and requirements. This paper and presentation will illustrate the steps required in preparing a State rail plan and the benefits of having a properly developed plan.

scholarly journals Comparative Study of High-Speed Passenger Rail Deployment in Megaregion Corridors: Current Experiences and Future Opportunities

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sevara Melibaeva ◽  
Joseph Sussman ◽  
Travis P. Dunn
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Long Distance ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
International Experiences ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
The Us ◽  
The World ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Rail Service

Deployment of high-speed passenger rail services has occurred around the world in densely-populated corridors, often with the effect of either creating or enhancing a unified economic “megaregion” agglomeration. This paper will review the technical characteristics of a variety of megaregion corridors, including Japan (Tokyo-Osaka), France (Paris-Lyon), and Germany (Frankfurt-Cologne), and their economic impacts. There are many lessons to be drawn from the deployment and ongoing operation of high-speed passenger rail service in these corridors for other countries now considering similar projects, such as the US and parts of the European Union. First, we will review three international cases, describing the physical development of each corridor as well as its measured impacts on economic development. In each case, the travel time reductions of the high-speed service transformed the economic boundaries of the urban agglomerations, integrating labor and consumer markets, while often simultaneously raising concerns about the balance of growth within the region. Moreover, high-speed travel within the regions has had important implications for the modes and patterns of travel beyond the region, particularly with respect to long-distance air travel. An example is the code-shared rail-air service between DeutscheBahn and Lufthansa in the Frankfurt-Cologne corridor. Next, we will examine the implications of these international experiences for high-speed rail deployment elsewhere in the world, particularly the US and Portugal, one of the EU countries investing in high-speed rail. Issues considered include the suitability of high-speed passenger rail service in existing megaregions as well as the potential for formation of megaregions in other corridors. By understanding the impact of high-speed passenger service on economic growth, labor markets, urban form, and the regional distribution of economic activity, planners can better anticipate and prepare countermeasures for any negative effects of high-speed rail. Examples of countermeasures include complementary investments in urban and regional transit connections and cooperation with airlines and other transportation service operators. High-speed passenger rail represents a substantial investment whose implementation and ultimate success depends on a wide range of factors. Among them is the ability of planners and decision-makers to make a strong case for the sharing of benefits across a broad geography, both within and beyond the megaregion (and potential megaregion) corridors where service is most likely to be provided. This paper provides some useful lessons based on international experiences.

A closer look at rail methodology in the BTS National Transportation Noise Map

2021 ◽  
Vol 263 (1) ◽  
pp. 5372-5381
Author(s):  
Amanda Rapoza ◽  
Meghan Shumway ◽  
Gary Baker ◽  
Peter Wilke
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Light Rail ◽  
Urban Centers ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Transportation Noise ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Commuter Rail ◽  
Noise Data ◽  
Time Changes ◽  
Noise Map

In 2017, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics released the inaugural national, multi-modal transportation noise map prototype. The noise modeling and mapping effort was envisioned as a way to facilitate the geographic tracking of national trends and provide insight into transportation noise-related questions as changes occur over time - changes between modes, types of vehicles within modes and the geographic shifts of populations. How do changes in aircraft technology change the transportation noise landscape? Does increased high speed rail availability affect highway-related noise? How does a population shift away from urban centers affect the soundscape? The inaugural model included aviation and highway sources. The first update, released in November 2020, includes passenger rail-related noise in addition to aviation and highway sources. Operations in this new mode include commuter rail mainline, high-speed electric, light rail, heavy rail and streetcars, along with commuter rail horns at highway-rail grade crossings. The data for this noise map were modeled based on USDOT methods, with adjustments and simplifications to model on a national scale. This paper focuses on the modeling methods and geospatial approach used to develop the passenger rail noise data layer.

When is High-Speed Rail Fast Enough?

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth G. Sislak
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
The United States ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Hampton Roads ◽  
Capital Costs ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Service

The vision for high-speed rail in America includes corridors that are “emerging” as candidates for investment in passenger rail service improvements including increasing maximum authorized speeds to 90 and 110 mph. Will increasing speeds up to 110 mph be cost effective in terms of attracting new riders? This paper will explore the results of studies examining incremental capital costs and the marginal ridership and revenue increases in the Richmond – Hampton Roads passenger rail project and other current emerging high-speed rail corridors throughout the United States.

Customers' Reactions to the Introduction of High-Speed Rail Service

2005 ◽  
Vol 1916 (1) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
Sunduck Daniel Suh ◽  
Keun-Yul Yang
Keyword(s):  
High Speed ◽  
Initial Response ◽  
Service Level ◽  
Marketing Strategies ◽  
Two Phase ◽  
High Speed Rail ◽  
Passenger Rail ◽  
Rail Systems ◽  
Rail Service ◽  
Rail Travel

Korean Train Express (KTX) of South Korea introduced high-speed commercial rail service on April 1, 2004. It currently has two lines covering 661.1 km (413.2 mi), and its trains achieve speeds of 300 km/h (186 mph). KTX's offering represents the first phase of a scheduled two-phase introduction due to be completed in 2010. This paper documents the service changes of external transportation operators during the first 3 months of KTX operation and details the initial reactions of KTX customers. KTX reduced rail travel time between major cities by almost half. By offering 128 daily services, it increased seat supply by 33% among the major cities and increased revenue by nearly 100% for the Seoul–Busan line, as compared with the same April–June period the previous year. KTX achieved one million passengers in 14 days and 10 million passengers in 142 days of operation. Although these numbers are significant, they represent only about half the demand forecasted. Three major causes of this discrepancy are an inability to provide fully implemented KTX services, low Korean economic activity, and a degraded level of service on conventional passenger rail systems. The expected service level of passengers and the initial marketing strategies used appear to have negatively affected the successful introduction of KTX. However, demand trends show continued increases after the initial response. As a whole, KTX strengthened the viability of Korean rail travel and is expected to contribute to the building of a more balanced national transportation system.

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