Identification of Priority Rail Projects

Project Description

This project will develop a system of evaluative tools that will allow the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to prioritize its investments in rail-related projects on a statewide basis. Doing so will ensure that the limited available funding for rail projects is applied in the most beneficial and efficient manner while focusing on TxDOT's strategic goals. The research will:

1. examine rail funding sources at all levels of government in terms of both the amount of funding and the restrictions on types of projects allowable by each funding source;
2. recommend a transparent methodology for evaluating proposed rail projects, especially ones that might differ in scope and receive a negative bias under current evaluation criteria and procedures; and
3. establish a process through which rail-related investments can periodically be reevaluated.

Existing project ranking tools will be examined and assessed in order to determine opportunities for direct application or adaptation toward TxDOT uses and objectives. A set of performance-based criteria for TxDOT-funded rail projects will be included in the detailed plan for implementing the recommended prioritization process within TxDOT. The research team will also produce a guidebook to assist local and regional planners in routinely executing the methodology.

Project Publications

Identification of Priority Rail Projects for Texas-Initial Methodology/User Manual and Guidebook 0-6467-1

Identification of Priority Rail Projects 0-6467-S

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