Link to 3C Final Report - The Ohio State University

The Ohio & Lake Erie Regional Rail - Ohio Hub Study
Technical Memorandum & Business Plan
• Highway Grade Crossings
• Train Control (Signals and Communications)
The engineering assessment of these elements was accomplished by conducting field views of
each segment. A field view is a limited site verification without detailed surveys and consists of
the sampling of critical sites along the track at crossings, bridges and stations. At each location,
engineering notes are compiled and the physical track conditions are compared with the latest
track charts and other information provided by the railroads. These field views were coordinated
with the appropriate state and Amtrak.
Field observations were conducted at highway/railroad crossings, overpasses and parallel
roadways. The inspections focused on the condition of the track and the ability to accommodate
joint freight and passenger train operations. The railroad right-of-way was examined for its
ability to accommodate additional tracks for added capacity. Where possible, other existing
facilities were observed, including bridge conditions, vertical/horizontal clearances, passenger
train facilities, railroad yards and terminal operations. Photographic records were made at many
locations and are included in the descriptions below.
As route segments were examined in the field, general concepts were developed and assumptions
were made regarding the capacity and operational improvements needed to accommodate future
passenger trains. The primary objective was to conceptualize improvements that would improve
fluidity and enhance the reliability of both passenger and freight rail operations.
The results of the field inspections were combined with data derived from railroad track charts to
determine more precisely the recommended infrastructure improvements and to estimate the
capital costs. The data was input into a track inventory system. This program generates a corridor
track inventory and estimates the costs of upgrading for various train speed scenarios. The track
inventory system stores information on track condition and track geometry such as curvature,
gradient, and turnouts; information on structures such as bridges, crossings, fly-overs and
stations, maximum operating speeds, and unit cost data for engineering improvements. The
system generates track data files to identify quantities and to estimate costs. Cost estimates were
prepared using the same unit costs developed for the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative
(MWRRI). The TRACKMAN Train Inventory System is described in detail in the Appendices.
Track Work
During the field views, the condition of the track was noted and a determination made relative to
the improvements required to accommodate a specific train technology. The limited field views
involved walking short segments of the track at several locations. The purpose was to determine
the existing track condition, assess its suitability to accommodate joint rail freight and passenger
operations based on FRA regulations and track safety standards, and gather sufficient data to
identify needed infrastructure improvements.
A key engineering assumption, adopted for this Study, involved the centerline offset between an
existing high density freight track and a new FRA Class 6, 110-mph track. Both NS and CSX
Section 2. Engineering Assessment and Capital Cost Estimates 2-3