The 2007 Massachusetts Smart Growth Smart Energy Conference

The 2007 Massachusetts Smart Growth / Smart Energy Conference DCU Center Worcester, Massachusetts December 7, 2007 Session C-7 Goods Movement in Massachusetts: Dollars, Sense and Impacts Presenter: Rich Rydant, Project Manager Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission

Session Overview l l l l 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 the “Intermodal Hub of New England” Critical Importance of Freight Railroads & Intermodal Facilities l l l Region Massachusetts New England Northeast Nationally Globally

CMRPC Transportation Planning Activities l Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Document l Freight Planning Work Activity Ø Designation of NHS Connectors Ø “To the Gate Approach” l Convening Roundtable Meetings Ø Passenger Rail Ø Freight Rail & Intermodal Ø Trucking Activities Considered an Ongoing Process

Looking to the Future Forge Multi-Modal Transportation System l Look Beyond Highway Network l Educate Decision Makers l Assist Host Communities l Assure freight movement is fully considered in the planning process!

Railroads Serving the Region CSX Transportation l East Brookfield & Spencer Railroad l Grafton & Upton Railroad l Mass Central Railroad l Pan Am Railways l Providence & Worcester Railroad l

Region’s Railroad System

Intermodal Operators Serving the Region l CSX Intermodal Ø Franklin Street TOFC & Bulk, Worcester Ø Tate & Lyle Bulk Station, Westborough l Intransit Container Incorporated (ICI) Ø Southbridge Street, Worcester Ø Wiser Avenue, Worcester l New England Automotive Gateway (NEAG) Ø Route 49, Spencer-East Brookfield l Wildwood Reload Ø Route 32, South Barre

Worcester Intermodal Yards

RTP Indentified Rail Freight Issues l l l 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 Issues (continued) l l l Westward Migration of Transloading Operations Industrially Zoned Land Parcels Grade Crossing Maintenance Responsibility Rail-Trail Accommodation Intermodal Issues

RTP Rail Freight Recommendations l l l 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 (continued) l l l Massachusetts Double Stack Network Seek Intermodal Facility Expansion Opportunities NHS Connector Maintenance Preservation of Rail Served Properties Host Community Interaction

Potential Activities State Level: Updated Rail Plan & New Freight Study l Possibility for Public/Private Efforts l Regional Level: RPA Participation l MPO Policy Decisions & Project Programming l CMMPO Level: Consider “Early Success” Project to Benefit Freight Movement l Potential NHS Connector Guide Sign Plan l

Smart Growth: Community Impacts l Freight transportation provides the goods & services on which the economy depends and people rely l Railroads are a key component in getting consumer products to the home l Ultimate cost of consumables, manufactured goods & raw materials is highly transportation dependent

Smart Growth: Community Impacts (continued) Need to accommodate traditional rail freight along with increased demands for passenger service l Need for railroad & intermodal improvements in the Commonwealth l Need for Public/Private Partnerships l

Smart Growth: Community Impacts (continued) l Transit-Oriented Development, “TOD” l Cargo-Oriented Development, “COD” l Other Industrialized States l Canadian Trading Partners l Relocation & Realignment of Intermodal Facilities

Freight Village Concept l l l Location, Location Industrially-Zoned Typically 30 to 50 Acre Size Existing Rail Access Avoid Interference with Passenger Operations Access to Trucking Routes

Freight Village Concept (continued) FHWA DEFINITIONS l Cluster of Freight Related Business l Secure Perimeter l Single Management l Master Planned l Near Population Centers l High Quality Settings l Support Services

Proposed Freight Village Template, Long Island, NY

Freight Village Concept (continued) BENEFITS l l l 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 Concept (continued) HOW? l l l 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 Concept (continued) CHALLENGES l “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 Sites Example: Providence & Worcester Railroad Inland Port Facilities, City of Worcester l

Intermodal Facility Example INITIATIVES/INNOVATIONS New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG” l l l Planning Commenced in Early 1990’s Extensive MEPA Process Host Community Involvement Commitment to Work with Abutters Member of Community

Intermodal Facility Example (continued) New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG” Facility Operator: Site Acquisition, Design & Operation Retention Ponds, Filtered Recharge l Light Pole Height & Location l Sound Attenuation Barriers, Earthen Berms, Vegetation Infill l Ongoing Safety Awareness, Drug & Alcohol Testing l

Intermodal Facility Example (continued) New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG” Freight Provider: CSX Transportation Internal Track Arrangement l Rubber-Tired Railcar Mover l Horn Blast Procedures l Investigation of Modern Locomotives l

Smart Energy: Environmental Impacts Trucking Strengths Go Everywhere: Main Street, USA l “Last Mile” Local Distribution l Service Flexibility l Just in Time Delivery l Trucking Challenges Increasing Freight Volume l Rising Diesel Fuel Costs l Driver Shortages l Lack of Adequate Truck Stop Facilities l

Smart Energy: Environmental Impacts (continued) Railroads & Trucking l l l 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: Environmental Impacts (continued) Railroads Seek Modern, Efficient Equipment Reduce Fuel Usage l Minimize Impacts to Abutters l Reduce Carbon Footprint l National Railway Equipment Company l

Looking to the Future Awareness of Decision Makers at All Levels l Critical Role of Freight Movement l Fully Considered in the Planning Process l State Initiatives: Rail Plan Update & Freight Study l

CMRPC Initiative: Regional Rail Task Force Host Roundtable Discussions, Passenger & Freight l Ongoing Educational Efforts l “To the Gate” Approach l Need for Public/Private Partnerships l Worcester’s Union Station Intermodal Transportation Center