Framework for Rail Planning and Project Development

Project Readiness Pipeline

Tracking Rail Investments 3 By continually tracking a list of investments in a state or corridor, FRA can inform decisions to prioritize time, effort, and spending on projects that achieve strategic goals and objectives. Readiness Schedules Cost Data Geographic Data Interdependencies Project Relationships Estimated Outcomes and Benefits Sample Data Best Practices A consistent data collection process A standardized method for synthesizing and prioritizing based on investment and service outcome data Planning Construction PE/NEPA Final Design Environmental Impact Economic Impact Ridership Safety Market Access On-Time Performance Service Frequency Modernization Multi-Modal Connectivity Increased Speed/ Reduced Trip Time State of Good Repair Result in Create Investments OutcomesBenefits

Readiness Data Overview: Categories Corridors are categorized according to their readiness for new funding. “Ready” means having completed planning and environmental prerequisites for implementation funding. Category Initial Phases Receiving Capital Funding? Planning/Environmental Complete for Future Phases? Number of Corridors* IYes 9 IINoYes12 IIINoUnder Development34 * Corridors may be double-counted if they are the subject of multiple corridor planning studies.

8 Corridors with new service Corridors with dramatic service improvements 11,960 total new or improved route miles (may vary by alternative) 5,694 improved miles 6,266 new miles 3.3x increase in daily round trips 195 current 642 future daily round trips 28 25

National Rail Planning Regional Rail Plans Corridor Plans Project-level Plans State Rail Plans FRA Planning Framework 9

National Rail Planning Contents Criteria for federal investment Models, methodologies, & guidance NEPAGuidance for project sponsors FRA RoleEstablish investment policies and develop models/guidance What does the map look like? National Planning Parameters Tier I Corridors & Terminal Areas Tier II Projects “Tier 0” Regional Rail Plans CITY Standardized Criteria, Tools, & Guidance

National Planning Parameters Tier I Corridors & Terminal Areas Tier II Projects “Tier 0” Regional Rail Plans CITY Standardized Criteria, Tools, & Guidance Contents Regional network vision Regional service plan Institutional/financial plans NEPA n/a FRA Role Provide toolkits and best practices Facilitate cross-border institutional relationships Fund projects consistent with adopted regional plans What does the map look like? Regional Planning Tier I Corridors & Terminal Areas Tier II Projects CITY

Tier I Corridors & Terminal Areas “Tier 0” Regional Rail Plans National Planning Parameters Tier II Projects CITY Standardized Criteria, Tools, & Guidance CITY Contents Corridor alignments Terminal area plans Detailed service plans NEPA Service-level (Tier I) FRA Role Provide service development planning and NEPA guidance Review/approve grant or loan deliverables What does the map look like? CITY Corridor Planning (Tier I)

National Planning Parameters Project-level Planning (Tier II) Contents Project-level engineering Construction/delivery plans Project management plans NEPA Project-level (Tier II) FRA Role Provide project delivery guidance Review/approve grant or loan deliverables What does the map look like? Tier I Corridors & Terminal Areas Tier II Projects “Tier 0” Regional Rail Plans CITY Standardized Criteria, Tools, & Guidance

The Pilot Regional Rail Plan – The Southwest Study Source: CONNECT Beta Version, 2012.

Southwest Study - Preliminary Network Vision

Southwest Study - Network Analysis Approach