Public Use of Rail Right-of-Way in Urban Areas

This study seeks to update and expand previous work that both the Center for Transportation Research at the University of Texas and Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) had conducted. The previous study examined the concept of commuter rail using existing freight tracks or existing right of way (ROW), and relocating rail yards and mainline tracks outside densely populated urban areas, thus freeing key corridors for public use. The TTI researchers conducted 10 U.S. case studies, six of which pertained to commuter rail sharing existing freight tracks or ROW and four to relocating rail yards and mainline tracks. The team researched a Texas example in the Dallas - Fort Worth metro area where two transit agencies are evaluating the introduction of commuter rail service over a former freight rail line now owned by one of the transit agencies. Also, the team interviewed all three Class I freight railroads currently operating in Texas. The report highlights several share-use agreements that were executed, the negotiation issues and concerns, the benefits of passenger rail sharing freight infrastructure, and the benefits of relocating rail yards and mainline tracks outside densely populated urban areas.