Public Use of Rail Right-of-Way in Urban Areas

A growing population combined with a growing economy is resulting in increased passenger travel demand in Texas. Diverting both passenger and freight traffic to rail transport is often seen as a key component of a greater intermodal solution to reduce roadway congestion and associated societal and environmental costs within existing transportation corridors. The Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) conducted this study to update and expand previous work conducted by the Center for Transportation Research at The University of Texas and TTI. The previous study examined the idea of commuter rail using existing freight tracks or existing ROW, and the relocation of rail yards and mainline tracks outside of densely populated urban areas, thereby freeing key corridors for public use. The research team conducted 10 U.S. case studies, six pertaining to commuter rail sharing existing freight tracks or ROW and four pertaining to the relocation of rail yards and mainline tracks. The team researched a Texas example in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area where two transit agencies are evaluating the introduction of commuter rail service over a former freight rail line, now owned by one of the transit agencies. Currently, the rail line is leased to a short-line railroad for local freight rail service. The research team also interviewed all three Class I freight railroads currently operating in Texas. This report highlights several shared-use agreements that have been executed, the negotiation issues and concerns, the benefits of passenger rail sharing freight infrastructure, and the benefits of relocating rail yards and mainline tracks outside of densely urban areas.