The 2007 MassachusettsThe 2007 MassachusettsSmart Growth / Smart Energy Smart Growth / Smart Energy ConferenceConference

DCU CenterDCU CenterWorcester, MassachusettsWorcester, MassachusettsDecember 7, 2007December 7, 2007

Session C-7Session C-7Goods Movement in Massachusetts:Goods Movement in Massachusetts:

Dollars, Sense and ImpactsDollars, Sense and ImpactsPresenter:Presenter:

Rich Rydant, Rich Rydant, Project ManagerProject ManagerCentral Massachusetts Regional Planning CommissionCentral Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission

Session OverviewSession Overview

Rail Freight in the Larger Context Value of the Railroad Network Freight Village Concept Local Intermodal Operations Challenges & Innovations Public Realization & Acceptance Trucking Strengths & Limitations Environmental Mitigation

Welcome to theWelcome to the“Intermodal Hub of New England”“Intermodal Hub of New England”

Critical Importance of Freight Railroads & Intermodal Facilities

Region Massachusetts New England Northeast Nationally Globally

CMRPCCMRPCTransportation Planning ActivitiesTransportation Planning Activities

Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Document

Freight Planning Work Activity Designation of NHS Connectors “To the Gate Approach”

 

Convening Roundtable Meetings Passenger Rail Freight Rail & Intermodal Trucking Activities

Considered an Ongoing Process

Looking to the FutureLooking to the Future

Forge Multi-Modal Transportation System Look Beyond Highway Network Educate Decision Makers Assist Host Communities

Assure freight movement is fully considered in the planning process!

Railroads Serving the RegionRailroads Serving the Region

CSX Transportation East Brookfield & Spencer Railroad Grafton & Upton Railroad Mass Central Railroad Pan Am Railways Providence & Worcester Railroad

Region’s Railroad SystemRegion’s Railroad System

Intermodal Operators ServingIntermodal Operators Serving the Region the Region

CSX Intermodal Franklin Street TOFC & Bulk, Worcester Tate & Lyle Bulk Station, Westborough

Intransit Container Incorporated (ICI) Southbridge Street, Worcester Wiser Avenue, Worcester

New England Automotive Gateway (NEAG) Route 49, Spencer-East Brookfield

Wildwood Reload Route 32, South Barre

Worcester Intermodal YardsWorcester Intermodal Yards

RTP Indentified Rail Freight IssuesRTP Indentified Rail Freight Issues

Rail’s Share of Freight in the Commonwealth

1989 State Rail Plan Massachusetts Double Stack Network Railroad Facility & Property Security Heavier Railroad Freight Cars

RTP Identified Rail Freight IssuesRTP Identified Rail Freight Issues(continued)(continued)

Westward Migrationof Transloading Operations

Industrially Zoned Land Parcels Grade Crossing Maintenance

Responsibility Rail-Trail Accommodation Intermodal Issues

RTP Rail Freight RecommendationsRTP Rail Freight Recommendations

Intermodal Vision for New England Formation of Regional Railroad

Technical Task Force EOT Rail Capital Improvement Program EOT Rail Banking Program Grade Crossing Safety Improvements

RTP Rail Freight Recommendations RTP Rail Freight Recommendations (continued)(continued)

Massachusetts Double Stack Network Seek Intermodal Facility Expansion

Opportunities NHS Connector Maintenance Preservation of Rail Served Properties Host Community Interaction

Potential ActivitiesPotential Activities

State Level: Updated Rail Plan & New Freight Study Possibility for Public/Private Efforts

Regional Level: RPA Participation MPO Policy Decisions & Project Programming

CMMPO Level: Consider “Early Success” Project to Benefit Freight

Movement Potential NHS Connector Guide Sign Plan

Smart Growth: Smart Growth: Community ImpactsCommunity Impacts

Freight transportation provides the goods & services on which the economy depends and people rely

Railroads are a key component ingetting consumer products to the home

Ultimate cost of consumables, manufactured goods & raw materials is highly transportation dependent

Smart Growth: Smart Growth: Community ImpactsCommunity Impacts(continued)(continued)

Need to accommodate traditional rail freight along with increased demands for passenger service

Need for railroad & intermodal improvements in the Commonwealth

Need for Public/Private Partnerships

Smart Growth: Smart Growth: Community ImpactsCommunity Impacts(continued)(continued)

Transit-Oriented Development, “TOD”

Cargo-Oriented Development, “COD”

Other Industrialized States

Canadian Trading Partners

Relocation & Realignment of Intermodal Facilities

Freight Village ConceptFreight Village Concept

Location, Location, Location Industrially-Zoned Typically 30 to 50 Acre Size Existing Rail Access Avoid Interference with Passenger

Operations Access to Trucking Routes

Freight Village ConceptFreight Village Concept(continued)(continued)

FHWA DEFINITIONS Cluster of Freight Related

Business Secure Perimeter Single Management Master Planned Near Population Centers High Quality Settings Support Services

Proposed Freight Village Template,Proposed Freight Village Template,Long Island, NYLong Island, NY

Freight Village ConceptFreight Village Concept(continued)(continued)

BENEFITS

Strategic Sites Provide Distribution Network Improved Container Handling Sustainable Environmental Benefits Expanded Logistics & Warehousing

Opportunities Builds New Partnerships Lowers Costs, Creates Jobs, Increases Tax

Revenue

Freight Village ConceptFreight Village Concept(continued)(continued)

HOW?

Statewide Railroad Plan Update Statewide Freight Plan Educate of Decision Makers Freight Considered in the Planning Process Long-Range Regional Transportation Plan &

Transportation Improvement Program, “TIP”

Freight Village ConceptFreight Village Concept(continued)(continued)

CHALLENGES

“NIMBY” Attitudes: I want my goods, but don’t want that damn train in my backyard!!!

Example: New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG”,Towns of East Brookfield & Spencer

Existing Constrained SitesExample: Providence & Worcester Railroad Inland

Port Facilities, City of Worcester

Intermodal Facility ExampleIntermodal Facility Example

INITIATIVES/INNOVATIONS

New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG”

Planning Commenced in Early 1990’s Extensive MEPA Process Host Community Involvement Commitment to Work

with Abutters Member of Community

Intermodal Facility ExampleIntermodal Facility Example(continued)(continued)

New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG”

Facility Operator: Site Acquisition, Design & Operation

Retention Ponds, Filtered Recharge Light Pole Height & Location Sound Attenuation Barriers, Earthen Berms,

Vegetation Infill Ongoing Safety Awareness, Drug & Alcohol Testing

Intermodal Facility ExampleIntermodal Facility Example(continued)(continued)

New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG”

Freight Provider: CSX Transportation

Internal Track Arrangement Rubber-Tired Railcar Mover Horn Blast Procedures Investigation of

Modern Locomotives

Smart Energy:Smart Energy:Environmental ImpactsEnvironmental Impacts

Trucking Strengths Go Everywhere: Main Street, USA “Last Mile” Local Distribution Service Flexibility Just in Time Delivery

Trucking Challenges  Increasing Freight Volume Rising Diesel Fuel Costs Driver Shortages Lack of Adequate Truck Stop Facilities

Smart Energy:Smart Energy:Environmental Impacts Environmental Impacts (continued)(continued)

Railroads & Trucking

Symbiotic Relationship Intermodal Transload Operations Variety of Products Better Suited for Rail Daily Reach of Trucking vs. Rail Added Rail Capacity means Added

Highway Capacity

Smart Energy:Smart Energy:Environmental Impacts Environmental Impacts (continued)(continued)

Railroads Seek Modern, Efficient Equipment

Reduce Fuel Usage Minimize Impacts to Abutters Reduce Carbon Footprint National Railway

Equipment Company

Looking to the FutureLooking to the Future

Awareness of DecisionMakers at All Levels

Critical Role of Freight Movement Fully Considered in the Planning

Process State Initiatives: Rail Plan Update

& Freight Study

CMRPC Initiative:CMRPC Initiative: Regional Rail Task ForceRegional Rail Task Force

Host Roundtable Discussions, Passenger & Freight

Ongoing Educational Efforts “To the Gate” Approach Need for Public/Private

Partnerships

Worcester’s Union StationIntermodal Transportation Center