February 29, 2012
The Regional Board Room, 723 Woodlake Drive, Chesapeake, Virginia

1. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order by the Chair at approximately 1:39 p.m.

2. PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

Mr. Dwight Farmer noted that four HRTPO Board members will be serving on the Task Force, providing voice to Passenger Rail on the HRTPO Board.
No public comments received

3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

At the request of the Chair, Old/New Business amended with two items. One item referred to the appointment of the Task Force Chair. The other item referred to the meeting frequency and next meeting. The amended Agenda was approved.

4. Department of Rail and Public Transportation: Major Passenger Rail Initiatives

The Director of DRPT provided an overview of Major Passenger Rail Initiatives, which included:

• Statewide Passenger Rail Vision
• Richmond to Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Project ($500 million over 20 years)
o Tier I EIS under review since December 2010
o Anticipated Final EIS in March 2012 and Record of Decision shortly thereafter
• Amtrak Virginia Extension to Norfolk ($114 Million over 3 years)
o Anticipated service to start December 2012
o Whistle Stop Tour in mid December 2012 (ticket sales July 2012)
• Passenger Rail Funding mandates and initiatives
This item was for informational purposes only. The Passenger Rail Task Force took no action on this agenda item.

5. Hampton Roads Passenger Rail Study – Data Collection: Phase 2A

TEMS provided an overview of the Data Collection Study to be conducted. The study will look to collect data for the following databases:

• Market
o Stated Preference Survey (online and in-person)
o Coordination with Transit agencies and Military on ongoing survey efforts
• Engineering
• Technology
• Environmental

This item was for informational purposes only. The Passenger Rail Task Force took no action on this agenda item.

6. Passenger Rail Station Development Update

The cities of Newport News and Norfolk provided an overview of ongoing multimodal passenger rail station development efforts ongoing to support anticipated increases in ridership and new passenger rail service.

In Newport News, the two proposed stations will replace an existing Amtrak station with facility limitations and challenges. Additionally, the proposed stations will provide greater multimodal connections on the Peninsula. The presentation highlighted design and functional aspects of the new stations.

In Norfolk, the proposed Harbor Park multimodal station will support upcoming passenger rail service in December 2012 with connections to multimodal transportation options. The station development faces delays due to architectural concerns.
This item was for informational purposes only. The Passenger Rail Task Force took no action on this agenda item.

7. Passenger Rail Task Force Implementation Plan

Mr. Dwight Farmer provided an overview of draft efforts to guide the purpose of the Passenger Rail Task Force. The efforts presented were:
• Reviewing and becoming familiar with the federal rail planning process
• Monitoring federal and state legislation and Executive actions pertaining to passenger rail
• Monitoring passenger rail funding opportunities
• Assisting the HRTPO Board to position Hampton Roads to advance and implement the Hampton Roads Passenger Rail plan

Mr. Kevan Danker made the recommendation to add an effort that ‘seeks opportunities to connect and coordinate with alternative modes of transportation’. Mr. Farmer invited the public to provide comments and suggestions on the guiding efforts.

8. For Your Information

This item was for informational purposes only. The Passenger Rail Task Force took no action on this item.

9. Old/New Business

Mr. Dwight Farmer expanded upon the addition of the four HRTPO Board members to the Task Force. Mayor Paul Fraim has volunteered to serve as Chair of the Task Force.
The Task Force agreed to meet bi-monthly/quarterly, with the next meeting in the May/June timeframe.

Mr. Farmer opened the floor for additional public comment. Ms. Julie Timm of WTS noted her organization’s support to provide educational outreach. Mr. Will Christopher of Future of Hampton Roads inquired about metrics and methods to leverage public comments on the Richmond to Hampton Roads Tier I Final EIS. Ms. Thelma Drake noted to keep informed of project updates on DRPT’s website. Mr. Dwight Farmer noted to keep informed on the Passenger Rail Task Force on the HRTPO website.

ADJOURNMENT at 3:20 p.m.

By Benito O. Pérez,
HRTPO Transportation Engineer

Starting in the fall of 2013 or sooner, it will be all aboard for Amtrak’s new passenger rail service to Norfolk, Virginia. Dubbed Next Stop Norfolk, the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation is partnering with Amtrak, Norfolk Southern, and CSX Incorporated to realize passenger rail service from Norfolk to the Northeast Regional Corridor.

To realize this project, DRPT and its partners have been hard at work at planning, designing, and constructing improvements along the Petersburg to Norfolk rail corridor. Those efforts include:

 
• Construction underway of the Harbor Park passenger rail platform
• Construction underway of the Norfolk train turning and servicing facility
• Discussions and design work of the Norfolk multimodal station facility improvements to connect the following services:

o Tide Light Rail (noted in red on map)
o HRT Ferry
o HRT Bus Service (noted in blue on map)
o Amtrak connector bus service
o Amtrak Passenger Rail service (noted in orange on map)

• Survey and design underway for Portlock Rail Yard improvements (circled in red) 
 

• Design work on Petersburg Collier Connection (circled in red) completed by CSX and under review by DRPT
• Grading work on Norfolk Southern’s component of Collier Connection is complete; track work near completion – adjustments to be made upon CSX connection work
• Facility coordination meetings being held between DRPT, CSX, and Norfolk Southern
• Coordination between Norfolk Southern, DRPT, and Petersburg on minimizing impacts to the Johnson Road highway construction project (circled in blue)
• Design work complete for Norfolk Southern running track between Poe and Walnut Hill (marked by white box); Construction to start in early 2012

• Bi-weekly update meetings between partners to efficiently advance and deliver the project
• Field surveys continue on the design of the US 460 corridor signal and crossover improvements
• Amtrak technical service agreement has been executed; work underway on service design

For additional information and project updates on Next Stop Norfolk, consult DRPT’s project website at: http://www.drpt.virginia.gov/activities/norfolk.aspx

Sources: Maps- Google Maps; Amtrak Train -Flickr @ Rob Shenk

Keith Nichols, Senior Transportation Engineer

The number of passengers using intercity passenger rail service in Hampton Roads has increased in recent years.  Over 175,000 passengers used Amtrak service at the stations in Newport News and Williamsburg in 2011.  This is an increase of 7% from the passenger levels seen in 2010 and a 35% increase from the levels seen in the middle of the 2000s.  Statewide, over 1.3 million passengers used Amtrak service in 2011, an increase of 16% over 2010 levels.

These passenger levels in Hampton Roads are expected to increase further with the addition of new passenger rail service between Norfolk and Richmond.  This service is expected to begin in 2013, and construction has already started on the platform to the east of Harbor Park.

By Stephanie Shealey
Transportation Engineer

For 18 consecutive months, AMTRAK ridership has seen growth over the previous year, according to a recent news release. Total ridership on all trains in April 2011 was close to 2.7 million passengers, increasing 9.9% over April 2010. Locally, the Washington to Newport News corridor saw 25% growth, increasing from 43,129 passengers in April 2010 to 53,900 passengers in April 2011. Looking at the AMTRAK fiscal year, which runs from October-September, national AMTRAK ridership is on track to set a new annual record.  This is likely due to high gasoline prices and improvement in the economy, particularly reflected in growth in business travel on the northeast high-speed train network.

Kendall Miller, Public Involvement and Community Outreach Administrator

Two new rail agreements valued at $1.1 billion (Chicago and North Carolina) were approved by the Federal Railroad Administration this week. They are expected to significantly improve and expand passenger rail in Illinois and North Carolina while bolstering local economies.
 
In North Carolina, $461 million in federal funds will be made available to the state as a result of an agreement the North Carolina Department of Transportation reached with Norfolk Southern Railway Co., Amtrak, and the North Carolina Railroad Co. In Illinois, $685 billion will be made available for rail improvements to the St. Louis-Chicago corridor. Work is slated to get underway as early as April 5 following successful negotiations between the Illinois Department of Transportation and Union Pacific Railroad.
 
The agreements were announced Tuesday by top federal, state, and local officials in Illinois and North Carolina.
 
U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said in a statement regarding the North Carolina agreement that it "is the sixth agreement between the states and a host freight railroad for a major high-speed-rail corridor funded under the recovery act, and it ensures that these grants will improve passenger rail service in North Carolina, while preserving the world-class freight-rail system we have today."
Gov. Bev Perdue said the funding will help modernize the state's rail system while bringing 4,000 jobs to the state.
 
"Rail is a critical component in North Carolina's economic development infrastructure," Perdue said in a statement. "Improving speed and efficiency for both passenger and freight services demonstrates our commitment to the future."
 
Perdue noted the federal money will allow the state to proceed with 24 construction projects in 11 counties that include adding double tracks between Charlotte and Greensboro as well as building a dozen new bridges to eliminate at-grade highway crossings that will relieve traffic congestion and improve safety. Also included is funding to refurbish locomotives and rail cars, and add a fourth daily round trip between Charlotte and Raleigh.

"We’re grateful to Norfolk Southern for partnering with us in putting people back to work and better serving shippers in North Carolina," said North Carolina Transportation Secretary Gene Conti. "We’ll be providing an improved transportation alternative for travelers that also saves energy, reduces carbon emissions, and protects the environment."
 
Illinois Project to Increase Train Speeds Between Chicago & St. Louis
 
In Chicago, Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph Szabo joined Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn; Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Illinois; Reps. Jan Schakowsky and Dan Lipinski, both D-Illinois; and Union Pacific officials at the Amtrak Locomotive Facility to announce a $685 million agreement to begin construction on new track that will enable trains to travel up to 110 mph on the Chicago-St. Louis line by next year.
 
The agreement "kick starts the next phase of the project and ushers in more than $650 million of construction, and an estimated 6,200 jobs, starting this summer," Durbin said in a statement.
 
Illinois plans to contribute $42 million in additional capital funding for the passenger rail projects.
 
"Bringing high-speed rail to Illinois has been a top priority of my administration because of the thousands of jobs and long-term investment it will bring to our state," Quinn said in a statement. "This important partnership with the Union Pacific Railroad and the Obama administration will boost our efforts to make Illinois the high-speed rail hub of the Midwest."

Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig said his department is proud to be leaders on a project that will reduce congestion, benefit the environment, and spark economic development.

"We will see the returns on our efforts to develop the Chicago-to-St. Louis high-speed corridor for years to come," Hannig said.

As printed in AASHTO.org

Washington, D.C. -- New specifications for diesel-electric locomotives were approved today by the Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee, the next step in a national effort to make it easier, faster, and cheaper to build and purchase rail cars and other equipment for America's emerging high-speed and intercity passenger rail program. Any state using federal funds for its passenger rail program must use equipment that meets these specifications.

"Rail cars and locomotives that can be used by all the states will reduce costs while increasing the efficiency of procurement and manufacturing," said Bill Bronte, chairman of the Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee's Executive Board and rail director for the California Department of Transportation. "Standard specs will also enable states to pool their equipment purchases and therefore generate more demand for manufacturers. This is fundamental to building and sustaining our own American-based manufacturing capability for passenger rail, and will generate investment and create jobs here in the U.S."

The committee is a collaboration of states, FRA, Amtrak, rail equipment manufacturers and suppliers and was created by Congress to develop specifications and procurement strategies for America's next generation of passenger rail cars and equipment. During today's meeting, held in Washington D.C., the committee approved the specifications for diesel-electric locomotives.

In February 2011, the group approved single-level, stand-alone corridor passenger cars; in August 2010, the Board approved specifications for bi-level coach, dining, baggage, and business class rail cars. Members of the Executive Board include 11 state departments of transportation, the FRA, and Amtrak.

"Taken together, these actions will advance the ability for domestic manufacturers to gear up and really get to work on American-made train sets," Bronte said.

Amtrak Vice President Stephen Gardner said recently America's intercity passenger railroad also plans to use the standard specs, as applicable, to purchase new cars or locomotives for Amtrak's national system, adding that Amtrak's involvement would help "create as big a buy as you can to get economies of scale."

The specs are developed through a rigorous multi-stage process. The specification is developed initially by a Technical Subcommittee, which includes widespread participation by industry as well as Amtrak, the FRA, and the states. Following reviews for technical adequacy and other factors, the Executive Board considers the proposals for final action.

The Next Generation Corridor Equipment Pool Committee was created under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA). The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) acts as the secretariat for the Board as well as providing a broad range of support services for the Committee as a whole.

Specifications and additional information on the Committee (also referred to as the Section 305 Committee from the PRIIA legislation) is at http://www.highspeed-rail.org/Pages/Section305Committee.aspx.

Kendall Miller
Public Involvement and Community Outreach Administrator

U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood has designated the Northeast Corridor a federally-recognized high-speed rail corridor, clearing the way for these states and Amtrak to apply for federal high-speed rail grant funding. Specifically, this recognition will allow the Northeast Corridor to apply for Florida’s recently rejected $2.4 billion in high-speed rail funding.  Earlier this year, Governors from throughout the NEC sent letters to Secretary LaHood asking for the rejected funds.

Before this, Northeast Corridor states were only eligible to apply for projects in their area, this designation could allow Amtrak to connect the entire NEC. With this latest move, Amtrak, which  already services much of the region could utilize its existing network along with its expertise to find streamlined solutions to expanding high-speed rail in the region. Additionally, it will help cash-strapped state governments maintain and expand the heavily utilized rail infrastructure throughout the NEC.

In order to be eligible for the money, applicants must show that they can conserve energy, improve efficiency and increase economic development through their projects. The application also requires that projects must be completed by 2017.

Maryland has already indicated that it will apply for $450 million in additional grant funding to complete construction on new rail stations and replace line bridges. The state originally got $10 million in grant funding for the rail station project and will be partnering with Amtrak to apply for the additional funds.

“Our region stands ready to put Florida’s discarded high-speed rail funding to good use. I look forward to working with Amtrak and Secretary LaHood to further advance high-speed rail in New Jersey and the entire Northeast Corridor,” U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg said of the decision.

Kendall Miller
Public Involvement and Community Outreach Administrator

The Department of Transportation's last big rail grant agreement helped push its total of obligated funds from the 2009 economic stimulus package over $44.7 billion, leaving about $3.4 billion yet to lock down.
Out of $48.1 billion the DOT could spend under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the total made available through March 4 is up from $44.1 billion on Feb. 25.
In between, the DOT announced a multi-party agreement in Washington to implement a $590 million grant, which will fund upgrades to BNSF Railway tracks between Seattle and Portland, Ore., to handle more Amtrak service in the Pacific Northwest. Paula Hammond, the state's transportation secretary, told The Journal of Commerce the money should allow BNSF to start construction this summer to improve passenger rail service and boost freight rail efficiency between the region's seaports.

To use up remaining ARRA funds at the DOT, officials say they are still ahead of deadlines set in the stimulus law. Most of the money yet to be obligated is under the administration's intercity passenger rail program, and they had until September 2012 to lock that money down. DOT officials expect to obligate the rest of the passenger rail money this year.
Any money not securely committed could become a political football. Some budget cutters in Congress want to rescind ARRA money that is not formally obligated to construction projects, more than two years after the economic stimulus package became law.

However, North Carolina is in negotiations to conclude a passenger rail grant agreement in a shared-use corridor with freight carrier Norfolk Southern Railway, which would obligate more than $500 million of the remaining stimulus money.

In addition, a new DOT invitation for grant applications to use up $2.43 billion - mainly from high-speed rail funds Florida rejected - is mostly ARRA passenger rail money, supplemented by a fiscal 2010 budget allocation. On March 11, DOT Secretary Ray LaHood opened that grant pool so states can compete for the money, but they have only until April 4 to apply.  As of March 4, the DOT had paid out $26.5 billion of its ARRA total, to reimburse states for highway, transit, airport and rail work that has been completed. But agency officials say thousands more projects are already under way, backed by the much larger obligated totals, and the payouts will grow with project completions.