The Role of Rural Rail Transportation Districts in Texas

Project Description

Beginning in the late 1960s, railroads needed to abandon lines which cost more to maintain than they generated in revenue. Thousands of miles of rail line were abandoned in the wake of economic turmoil in the industry, leaving some rural areas and industries without rail as a transportation option. Texas suffered along with many other states and passed legislation providing for the formation of Rural Rail Transportation Districts (RRTDs) to counter the loss of rail service. Thirteen RRTDs have been formed to date in Texas with varying degrees of success. The Texas Department of Transportation needed to understand the factors which lead to success or failure of RRTDs in order to achieve the maximum transportation potential of the Districts. This research provided an analysis of the economic and transportation benefits of RRTDs and evaluated the ability of Districts to stem the growing tide of truck traffic in the State.

Project Publications

Texas Rural Rail Transportation Districts: GIS Information Manual 0-4007-P2

Texas Rural Rail Transportation Districts: Characteristics and Case Studies 0-4007-1

Texas Rural Rail Transportation Districts: Informational Guidebook for Formation and Evaluation 0-4007-P1

Texas Rural Rail Transportation Districts: New Roles and Relationships 0-4007-2

Texas Rural Rail Transportation Districts: Summary Report 0-4007-S

Texas Transportation Researcher Articles

Rural rail transportation districts - Volume 39, Number 3

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