Presenter: Rich Rydant, Project Manager Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission

1. The 2007 MassachusettsSmart Growth / Smart Energy ConferenceDCU CenterWorcester, MassachusettsDecember 7, 2007Session C-7Goods Movement in Massachusetts:Dollars, Sense and Impacts Presenter:Rich Rydant, Project ManagerCentral Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission

2. Session Overview • Rail Freight in the Larger Context • Value of the Railroad Network • Freight Village Concept • Local Intermodal Operations • Challenges & Innovations • Public Realization & Acceptance • Trucking Strengths & Limitations • Environmental Mitigation

3. Welcome to the“Intermodal Hub of New England” Critical Importance of Freight Railroads & Intermodal Facilities • Region • Massachusetts • New England • Northeast • Nationally • Globally

4. CMRPCTransportation Planning Activities • Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) Document • Freight Planning Work Activity • Designation of NHS Connectors • “To the Gate Approach” • Convening Roundtable Meetings • Passenger Rail • Freight Rail & Intermodal • Trucking Activities Considered an Ongoing Process

5. Looking to the Future • Forge Multi-Modal Transportation System • Look Beyond Highway Network • Educate Decision Makers • Assist Host Communities Assure freight movement is fully considered in the planning process!

6. Railroads Serving the Region • CSX Transportation • East Brookfield & Spencer Railroad • Grafton & Upton Railroad • Mass Central Railroad • Pan Am Railways • Providence & Worcester Railroad

7. Region’s Railroad System

8. Intermodal Operators Serving the Region • CSX Intermodal • Franklin Street TOFC & Bulk, Worcester • Tate & Lyle Bulk Station, Westborough • Intransit Container Incorporated (ICI) • Southbridge Street, Worcester • Wiser Avenue, Worcester • New England Automotive Gateway (NEAG) • Route 49, Spencer-East Brookfield • Wildwood Reload • Route 32, South Barre

9. Worcester Intermodal Yards

10. RTP Indentified Rail Freight Issues • Rail’s Share of Freight in the Commonwealth • 1989 State Rail Plan • Massachusetts Double Stack Network • Railroad Facility & Property Security • Heavier Railroad Freight Cars

11. RTP Identified Rail Freight Issues(continued) • Westward Migration of Transloading Operations • Industrially Zoned Land Parcels • Grade Crossing Maintenance Responsibility • Rail-Trail Accommodation • Intermodal Issues

12. RTP Rail Freight Recommendations • Intermodal Vision for New England • Formation of Regional Railroad Technical Task Force • EOT Rail Capital Improvement Program • EOT Rail Banking Program • Grade Crossing Safety Improvements

13. RTP Rail Freight Recommendations (continued) • Massachusetts Double Stack Network • Seek Intermodal Facility Expansion Opportunities • NHS Connector Maintenance • Preservation of Rail Served Properties • Host Community Interaction

14. Potential Activities State Level: • Updated Rail Plan & New Freight Study • Possibility for Public/Private Efforts Regional Level: • RPA Participation • MPO Policy Decisions & Project Programming CMMPO Level: • Consider “Early Success” Project to Benefit Freight Movement • Potential NHS Connector Guide Sign Plan

15. Smart Growth: Community Impacts • Freight transportation provides the goods & services on which the economy depends and people rely • Railroads are a key component in getting consumer products to the home • Ultimate cost of consumables, manufactured goods & raw materials is highly transportation dependent

16. Smart Growth: Community Impacts(continued) • Need to accommodate traditional rail freight along with increased demands for passenger service • Need for railroad & intermodal improvements in the Commonwealth • Need for Public/Private Partnerships

17. Smart Growth: Community Impacts(continued) • Transit-Oriented Development, “TOD” • Cargo-Oriented Development, “COD” • Other Industrialized States • Canadian Trading Partners • Relocation & Realignment of Intermodal Facilities

18. Freight Village Concept • Location, Location, Location • Industrially-Zoned • Typically 30 to 50 Acre Size • Existing Rail Access • Avoid Interference with Passenger Operations • Access to Trucking Routes

19. Freight Village Concept(continued) FHWA DEFINITIONS • Cluster of Freight Related Business • Secure Perimeter • Single Management • Master Planned • Near Population Centers • High Quality Settings • Support Services

20. Proposed Freight Village Template,Long Island, NY

21. Freight Village Concept(continued) BENEFITS • Strategic Sites Provide Distribution Network • Improved Container Handling • Sustainable Environmental Benefits • Expanded Logistics & Warehousing Opportunities • Builds New Partnerships • Lowers Costs, Creates Jobs, Increases Tax Revenue

22. Freight Village Concept(continued) HOW? • Statewide Railroad Plan Update • Statewide Freight Plan • Educate of Decision Makers • Freight Considered in the Planning Process • Long-Range Regional Transportation Plan & Transportation Improvement Program, “TIP”

23. Freight Village Concept(continued) CHALLENGES • “NIMBY” Attitudes: I want my goods, but don’t want that damn train in my backyard!!! Example: New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG”, Towns of East Brookfield & Spencer • Existing Constrained Sites Example: Providence & Worcester Railroad Inland Port Facilities, City of Worcester

24. Intermodal Facility Example INITIATIVES/INNOVATIONS New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG” • Planning Commenced in Early 1990’s • Extensive MEPA Process • Host Community Involvement • Commitment to Work with Abutters • Member of Community

25. Intermodal Facility Example(continued) New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG” Facility Operator: Site Acquisition, Design & Operation • Retention Ponds, Filtered Recharge • Light Pole Height & Location • Sound Attenuation Barriers, Earthen Berms, Vegetation Infill • Ongoing Safety Awareness, Drug & Alcohol Testing

26. Intermodal Facility Example(continued) New England Automotive Gateway, “NEAG” Freight Provider: CSX Transportation • Internal Track Arrangement • Rubber-Tired Railcar Mover • Horn Blast Procedures • Investigation of Modern Locomotives

27. Smart Energy:Environmental Impacts Trucking Strengths • Go Everywhere: Main Street, USA • “Last Mile” Local Distribution • Service Flexibility • Just in Time Delivery Trucking Challenges • Increasing Freight Volume • Rising Diesel Fuel Costs • Driver Shortages • Lack of Adequate Truck Stop Facilities

28. Smart Energy:Environmental Impacts (continued) Railroads & Trucking • Symbiotic Relationship • Intermodal Transload Operations • Variety of Products Better Suited for Rail • Daily Reach of Trucking vs. Rail • Added Rail Capacity means Added Highway Capacity

29. Smart Energy:Environmental Impacts (continued) Railroads Seek Modern, Efficient Equipment • Reduce Fuel Usage • Minimize Impacts to Abutters • Reduce Carbon Footprint • National Railway Equipment Company

30. Looking to the Future • Awareness of Decision Makers at All Levels • Critical Role of Freight Movement • Fully Considered in the Planning Process • State Initiatives: Rail Plan Update & Freight Study

31. CMRPC Initiative:Regional Rail Task Force • Host Roundtable Discussions, Passenger & Freight • Ongoing Educational Efforts • “To the Gate” Approach • Need for Public/Private Partnerships Worcester’s Union StationIntermodal Transportation Center