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Examining the Use of Existing Public Rights-of-Way for High-Speed Rail or Other Infrastructure

Project Summary

The primary purpose of this research work plan is to determine if and how existing TxDOT, public, utility and freight rail ROW can potentially accommodate high-speed intercity passenger rail (HSIPR) and/or dedicated freight transportation systems. The administrative difficulties, delays, costs, and environmental impacts associated with the acquisition of property for transportation projects point to a need to consider utilizing existing right-of-way (ROW) resources to the greatest extent possible. A number of states have considered and have chosen existing highway, public, freight rail, and utility ROW for preferred alignments for HSIPR, such as Florida (I-4, freight rail, utility, and Orlando airport ROW) and California (I-5, I-10, and freight rail). To answer the research question for Texas, all potential ROW routes in Texas will be identified and their key characteristics considered for utilization by a spectrum of HSIPR and dedicated freight systems. At least four of those routes will be evaluated in greater detail for technical, political, and legal feasibility. For those four case studies, the study will develop potential solutions to engineering challenges encountered in the ROW, such as highway interchanges and narrow ROW width. The case study research will include meetings and interviews with affected ROW owners and critical stakeholders.

Project Number

0-6698

Status

Completed

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Project Details

Start Date

9/13/2011

End Date

8/31/2013

Performing Institution(s)

The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA); Center for Transportation Research (CTR); Texas Southern University (TSU); University of North Texas (UNT)

Research Team

RS: Stephen Mattingly

Sponsor

Publications from this Project

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Index Terms

Case studies
Freight transportation
High speed rail
Right of way (Land)

Lead University

UTA

Researcher

Mattingly, Stephen P.

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Comments

kevyn

This project was included in the "2015 Research Impacts: Better--Faster--Cheaper" publication by AASHTO RAC (Research Advisory Council) -- https://research.transportation.org/High-Value-Research-Projects/

12/18/2017 at 1:36 PM

Helpful?

blc2242

Cited in 2015 Transportation Research Record (TRR) 2499, "Planning, Volume 1."

7/27/2023 at 5:08 PM

Helpful?

Record Added:

10/30/2013

Record Updated:

7/27/2023 5:08 PM EDT

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