LOWER MONTAUK BRANCH RAIL STUDY - New York City · LOWER MONTAUK BRANCH RAIL STUDY . nyc.gov/dot . 10 . Corridor Overview • Industrial and transport uses in western portion •

LOWER MONTAUK BRANCH RAIL STUDY

Public Stakeholder Outreach January 23, 2017

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Introduction

Corridor Overview

Study Elements

Schedule

Questions

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Agenda


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Introduction

• Sponsored by Council Member Elizabeth Crowley

• Being conducted by AECOM and managed by NYC DOT

• Goals: Determine feasibility, create conceptual plan and recommend a preferred option for potential reactivation of passenger rail service

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Passenger Service History

• Existing Corridor

• Owned by MTA LIRR

• Leased by NY & Atlantic RR for rail freight

• 8.5 miles long

• Runs between two LIRR stations:

• Long Island City

• Jamaica

• Now used for rail freight only


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• Was original LIRR “Mainline”

• Had 6 stations west of Jamaica


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• Service dropped in 1998 due to:

• lack of ridership

• high cost of required switch to high platforms


Source: LIRR

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Rail Freight Operations

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• Few freight trains (~2 trains daily)

• Frequent use of tracks for freight car moves

• Waste transfer station the major rail user

• Proposed rail freight tunnel to NJ would increase activity

• Recent federal grant for rail freight upgrades

Rail Freight Operations Commuter and Freight Rail

Network in NYC

Waste Mgmt. Transfer Station


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Fresh Pond Station (1990s)

Previous Lower Montauk Branch stations:

• Lacked modern station amenities

• Locations may not reflect current community need

• Step-up entry to cars is not consistent with current ADA requirements


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Corridor Overview

• Industrial and transport uses in western portion

• Parks, cemeteries in eastern portion

Land Use Commercial, Industrial,

Mixed-Use, & Public Facilities

Data from PLUTO v16.2, provided by NYC Department of City Planning


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Corridor Overview

Data from US Census Bureau, 2000 Short Form at the Census Tract level

2000 Population Density People per Square Mile

• Low population density due to land use mix, large open areas


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Corridor Overview

Data from US Census Bureau, 2010 Short Form at the Census Tract level




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Corridor Overview

Data from US Census Bureau, 2015 ACS at the Census Tract level




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Corridor Overview

Data from US Census Bureau, 2010 Census Transportation Planning Package, at the census tract level

Employment Density Jobs per Square Mile

• Moderate job density, except LI City, Sunnyside


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Rail Transit Network

LOWER MONTAUK BRANCH

• Multiple subway and commuter rail lines provide some service to parts of corridor

• Study will measure ability for LMB to provide improved service, fill gaps in network

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Corridor Overview

• Much of the corridor not within ½ mile (15-min. walk) of subway station

Subway Areas Beyond a ½ Mile Walk LOWER MONTAUK

BRANCH RAIL STUDY

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Area Context

Long Island Railroad Areas Beyond a ½ Mile Walk

• Small portion of corridor within ½ mile walk of LIRR stations


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Local Bus Network

• Many bus routes serving corridor

• Link up with subway, LIRR and LMB corridor


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At Grade Rail Crossings

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• Numerous at grade crossings

• High truck volumes serving industrial sites

• Challenge for more frequent rail service/promotion of industrial areas


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In Summary

LOWER MONTAUK BRANCH STUDY

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• Former low volume, low frequency commuter rail corridor

• Former Stations sub-optimal • Location • Design (access)

• Low / moderate population and employment densities

• Currently used by NY & Atlantic Railway exclusively for freight

• Most corridor communities not convenient to rail or SBS/Express bus options

• Local buses provide some transit accessibility

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Study Elements & Process

• Study Goals & Objectives

• Corridor Background and Data Gathering

• Freight Operations, Regulations and Future Demand

• Peer Review of Similar Rail Operations

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NY & Atlantic Freight Train

Austin TX MetroRail DMU Trains


Blue Line LRT – Salt Lake City

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Concept Development

• Screening of Rail Mode Options (Light Rail, Commuter Rail, etc.)

• Develop Concept Operating Plan (station stops, frequency, travel time)

• Potential Stations

• Location

• Design

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Austin TX MetroRail Station


Orange Line, San Diego

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Technical Analysis

• Ridership Projection

• Vehicle/Power Technologies

• Maintenance - Storage Facilities

• Rail Crossings

• Capital and Operating Costs

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Masbeth Ave. Rail Crossing


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Technical Analysis

• Integration with Freight Operations

• Land Use/Development Potential

• Resiliency Planning

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Truck-to-Rail Trains in Long Island City


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Outreach & Coordination

• Technical Advisory Committee

• Stakeholder Meetings

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• NYCDOT is conducting an initial feasibility “test of concept” study

• Future studies (as warranted) would be necessary for:

• Environmental Review

• Detailed Rail Planning and Engineering Studies

• Funding and Financing Assessments

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Summary

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October - December

January - March April - June July - September October - December Existing Conditions &

Concept Development

Technical Analysis

Outreach & Coordination

- - - - - - 2016 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 2017 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Draft Report` Final Report

- - - - - - Technical Advisory Committee - - - - -

- - - Public Stakeholder Outreach.- - - - -


Schedule

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Questions?

THANK YOU

NYC DOT NYC DOT nyc_dot NYC DOT

Documents

LOWER MONTAUK BRANCH RAIL STUDY - New York City · LOWER MONTAUK BRANCH RAIL STUDY . nyc.gov/dot . 10 . Corridor Overview • Industrial and transport uses in western portion •