Building a Quality Arizona Statewide Transportation Planning Framework

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Building a Quality ArizonaStatewide
Transportation Planning Framework

• AzTA Conference
• April 28, 2009

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What does it mean to Build a Quality Arizona?

• We look far into the future (2050)
• We look at actual needs, not just what we think
  we can afford (traditional planning is fiscally
  constrained)
• We consider the relationships between land use,
  economic vitality and transportation
• We work with our partners and the public around
  the state for a collaborative vision that
  reflects our values as Arizonans
• We think carefully about what type of lifestyle
  we want to create and what kind of legacy we want
  to leave for future generations

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Southwest Region Year 2050 Estimated Population
Density
Increase was calculated based on Year 2005
Population
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Arizonas Potential for Growth
2005 Growth Areas Population 5.1 million
2050 Growth Areas Population 14.1 million
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A process for the future . . .

• Vision (2050)
• Statewide travel demand model
• Statewide rail framework
• Future guidance for investment decisions
• Input to long-range transportation plan

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Purpose

• Establish long-range vision for freight and
  passenger rail in the state
• Stimulate responsible economic growth
• Maximize use of existing rail infrastructure
  through strategic investments
• Partner with private railroads for mutual benefit
• Complement other existing and planned
  transportation modes
• Address related global and regional economic,
  land use, environmental and energy issues

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• Existing Conditions
• and Studies Review

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Related Studies Review

• Summarized studies relative to the physical,
  social, and economic conditions that affect the
  rail environment in Arizona
• Passenger Rail Studies
• Commuter Rail Studies
• Freight Rail Studies
• Port Logistics Studies
• Local Plans and Policies
• Provided input to preliminary key issues
  identification

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Case Studies Examined

• Comparative analysis of intercity rail systems
  across the western United States
• High-speed rail corridor designations

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Statewide Inventory of Environmental Constraints
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Environmental Context
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• Passenger and Freight Demand Forecasting

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Objectives of Freight Demand Analysis

• Key issues driving the direction of freight rail
• Challenges restricting the implementation of a
  freight rail network
• Potential opportunities to enhance a rail network

• Develop projections to 2050
• Screen commodities based on tonnage and value
• Identify commodities with value added
  opportunities
• Link rail freight to economic development

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Sources of ExistingRail Passenger Forecasts

• 1998 Arizona High Speed Rail (HSR) Feasibility
  Study
• 2003 MAG High Capacity Transit Study
• 2007 High-Speed Passenger Rail Strategic Plan
• 2007 Arizona Public Transportation Response to
  Executive Order (EO)
• 2008 Transit Propensity and Regional Transit
  Demand Working Paper

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Potential Arizona Passenger Rail Corridors

• High-speed rail between Phoenix and major
  metropolitan areas in bordering states
• Intercity rail between Sun Corridor Megapolitan
  activity centers
• Commuter rail within metropolitan areas

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Potential Arizona Rail Corridors

• Intercity Rail
• High-Speed Rail
• Commuter Rail

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• Outreach Efforts

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Stakeholder Interviews

• Union Pacific Railroad
• BNSF Railway
• Maricopa Association of Governments
• City of Phoenix Economic Development Department
• Amtrak
• Federal Railroad Administration
• Pima Association of Governments

• Border States Coordination
• California
• Nevada
• Utah
• New Mexico
• Sonora

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Surveys/Focus Groups

• Survey of rail stakeholders conducted in March
• Nearly 30 response rate
• Analysis underway
• Focus Groups
• Central Area March 25
• Phoenix, AZ
• Southern Area April 16
• Tucson, AZ
• Northern Area April 24
• Flagstaff, AZ

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• Preliminary Key Issues Identification and
  Discussion

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Key Issue Systems Planning

• Identification and distribution of demand
• Coordination with commuter rail planning
• Multimodal connections
• Mode shift
• Emerging new international markets
• Customs/Homeland Security
• Interstate coordination
• Right-of-way preservation

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Key Issue Operations

• Safety
• Shared rights-of-way
• Motive power and technology Issues
• Positive Train Control (PTC)
• Noise
• Class I/Shortline railroads and branch connections

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Key Issue Project Implementation

• Construction schedules/Implementation timeframes
• Funding sources
• Environmental clearance
• Economic development
• Authority and Responsibility
• Planned new facilities
• Public/Stakeholder support

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Key Issue Sustainability

• Energy efficiency
• Clean technologies
• Focused growth
• Long-term viability

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Key Issue Policy

• Rail as a transportation priority
• Passenger and freight relationship
• Federal and state oversight relationships
• Land use policy
• Cost allocation for rights-of-access
• Interstate operating agreements
• Competitive advantages
• Private sector investment
• Oversight and governance

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Next Steps

• Review and incorporate survey findings
• Area Focus Groups
• Refine and finalize key issues
• Begin strategic concept development
• Ongoing coordination with stakeholders

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Thank You! http//www.bqaz.gov
Thank You! http//www.bqaz.gov