Background

The National Cooperative Rail Research Program (NCRRP) was authorized as part of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PL 100-432, Division B), to conduct applied research on a broad array of problems important to freight, intercity, and commuter rail practitioners.  The primary goal is to implement a research program that improves industry response to common operating problems, while enhancing the rail industry’s ability to identify appropriate innovations and new technologies from other industries. 

One area of concern expressed by state departments of transportation (DOTs) is a growing need to identify innovative funding mechanisms applicable to rail infrastructure planning, development, and operation.  Toward that end, a broad knowledge of what rail programs exist at the federal and state levels and how these programs have been used will assist in furthering future research efforts. 

This research solicitation is for preparation of a targeted study of selected, innovative or noteworthy state passenger and freight rail programs through a quick response and to make that study available to affected state DOTs in support of future infrastructure funding efforts, applicable at any stage of infrastructure development (from planning to construction).  

Providing an inventory of existing programs would assist practitioners in designing and implementing new rail programs without having to recreate the process each time a new or expanded system is proposed.  An accessible inventory, coupled with a usable analysis, would offer practitioners an opportunity to examine how other states have approached transportation and rail funding requirements.  This information would help guide plan preparation and improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Objective

The objective of this study is three-fold:

1.      To prepare an inventory of existing state passenger and freight rail programs;

2.      To identify innovative funding mechanisms in this inventory; and

3.      To conduct an analysis of targeted innovative funding programs extracted from this inventory that may be of use to other state/local governments.

In this context, an inventory should include a summary of existing programs with links to websites containing the documents, where possible.   This inventory should provide an accessible source of information and experience for use by practitioners when designing, implementing, and managing new funding programs or mechanisms.  (Note: with respect to analysis of funding programs, this study should coordinate with and not duplicate the work which is currently underway as part of NCRRP Project 07-01: Alternative Financing Approaches for Passenger and Freight Rail Projects.)

Research Agenda

The underlying research agenda prescribed for this quick-response NCRRP solicitation should encompass a series of tasks necessary to accomplish the study objectives, including but not limited to the following:

1.      Using existing information and resources where available, prepare an inventory of federal and state passenger and freight rail programs;

2.      Identify primary objectives and components of these existing rail programs;

3.      Create a taxonomy that groups programs according to primary objectives and components; and

4.      Based on this review, describe innovative funding mechanisms used by states and others when planning, developing, and constructing rail infrastructure.

There are numerous ways to categorize passenger and freight rail programs.  In response to this objective, please indicate your suggested approach.  Critical information should include, but not be limited to, responses to the following questions:

1.      What was the program designed to accomplish?

2.      Have the programs been implemented and to what degree of success?

3.      What are the innovative programs that currently exist or are coming on line?

4.      Are there programs that extend beyond a state’s boundaries where two or more states have joined together to accomplish infrastructure investments?

5.      How well do these programs align with the state’s overall transportation needs and goals?

6.      Are states investing public money in rail infrastructure, and what form do these investments take?

7.      How have states handled prescribed FRA issues relating to preparation of mandated state rail plans?  Are there consistencies and innovations contained in existing plans that might be of interest to other states in the process of preparing or updating statewide plans?

8.      How do states and other planning entities evaluate proposed system improvements—are there established decision-making approaches to evaluate potential benefits and costs, addressing what parameters?

The product of this research, including the inventory and classification of existing passenger and freight rail programs, should help practitioners expand existing or initiate new rail service planning and development efforts.  The product should also include a stand-alone executive summary and a PowerPoint presentation or similar mechanism for sharing output with a diverse audience.