California State Rail Plan 2007-08 to 2017-18

Chapter I - California’s Vision for Intercity Passenger RailINTERCITY RAIL SUPPORTS THE ADMINISTRATION’STRANSPORTATION, ENVIRONMENTAL AND LAND USE GOALSThe common theme in all of the Administration and Department transportationdocuments discussed above (SGP, AB 32, CTP and the Department’s Mission &Goals) is that the improvement of the state’s transportation infrastructure willimprove mobility, which will in turn improve the economy, the environment, andsupport social equity.Intercity Passenger Rail supports the Administration’s “Global Warming SolutionsAct” (AB 32, 2006). This landmark bill requires the State’s global warmingemissions to be reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. Intercity rail becomesincreasingly more efficient as the number of passengers increase per train.Data confirms that intercity passenger rail is more fuel-efficient than cars andairlines, thus it conserves fuel and improves air quality. (Figure 1E)Figure 1EU.S. Passenger Travel and Energy Use4,0003,5003,0002,5002,0001,5001,000500-2,9353,549 3,587Intercity Rail Cars/Trucks AirlinesBTUs Per Passenger MileSource: U.S. Department of Energy, Transportation Energy Data Book: Edition 25 -2006, Table 2.10. BTu(s) is used to describe the heat value (energy content) of fuels.Intercity Rail Supports the EnvironmentThe Department is also improving the fuel efficiency and emission reduction of itsState-owned locomotives. During the past decade the Environmental ProtectionAgency has instituted new emission requirements for diesel locomotives. Tier 0standards were instituted in 2001, and required that all locomotives purchasedafter January 1, 2001 meet certain emission standards. The F59 locomotives, thetype that is predominantly used in the State-supported rail system, meet the Tier 0requirements, which went into effect in 2001. The next set of standards, calledTier 1, took effect on January 1, 2004 and requires that passenger locomotivespurchased after that date emit 25 percent less nitrogen oxides (NOx) and13