Norfolk Southern/Conrail Rail Connection–Bucyrus, Ohio - Surface ...

D-14
STB Finance Docket No. 33388
In order to study the effects of the proposed construction on the population in the vicinity of the project,
information on racial composition and average income level in the area was obtained from the U.S.
Census Bureau TIGER/Line files and other statistical sources. From the Census files, the proposed
construction was determined to be located in one census block. Using the census block number,
Summary Tape Files were utilized to determine and analyze the poverty status, race and income for the
relevant block.
The proposed project area and an alternative alignment for the project were studied to determine the
number of new residences and other sensitive receptors within the Ldn 65 dBA contour around the
connection affected by an increase of two dBA, since noise would be the predominant potential impact
on nearby sensitive receptors. The assessment also considered whether any of these sensitive receptors
would be subject to additional noise from the proposed connection, and whether they are currently
affected by equal or greater noise from existing operations. Safety concerns were also taken into
consideration. Potential increases in the number of grade crossings were examined, as were the nature
and operation of the proposed grade crossings and the potential traffic they would experience.
Evaluation Criteria
The following criteria was used to determine impacts from the proposed project to socioeconomics and
environmental justice:
! Reviewed demographic and income data from the 1990 Census to compare the population of
the area of the proposed construction with that of the Bucyrus, Ohio area.
! An environmental justice effect is determined to be significant if an adverse effect of the
proposed construction falls disproportionately on low-income or minority populations.
TRANSPORTATION
The evaluation criteria used to determine potential impacts on transportation includes:
! The need for new grade crossings.
! Modifications of existing grade crossings.
Grade Crossings
Delays at grade crossings are a function of the number of trains per day passing over a crossing, the time
it takes for a train to pass the crossing, and the type of crossing warning device. The study team
calculated potential changes in vehicle delay at grade crossings where average daily traffic (ADT)
volumes are 5,000 or greater. The team concluded that for highways with ADT volumes below 5,000,
the potential effect of increased train traffic would be experienced by very few drivers and the additional
vehicular delay would be minimal.
SAFETY
Railroad safety precautions during construction work are discussed. Safety impacts are discussed in
the following general categories:
• Train accidents, derailments, and other incidents;
• Shipments of hazardous commodities; and
• Hazardous waste sites and hazardous material releases.
Public Health and Safety
Railroad operations affect public health and safety when accidents occur. Delays also occur at grade
crossings (which could affect the time required to respond to an emergency, or affect the judgment of
motorists concerning their ability to cross the tracks safely); and releases of hazardous materials
sometimes occur.
Hazardous Waste Sites
Railroad records or information databases were examined to determine if there are known hazardous
waste sites or sites where there have been hazardous materials spills at the proposed construction site.
The information searches of federal and state environmental databases were used to identify known sites
of environmental concern within 500 feet of the proposed construction. EDR searched the following
databases: