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Code · BILL · 113th Congress · H.R. 4834 (Introduced in House) — To authorize highway infrastructure and safety, transit, motor carrier, rail, and other surface transportation progra... · Sec. 9301

Sec. 9301. National and regional rail planning

1,206 words·~5 min read·/bill/113/hr/4834/ih/section-9301

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Part B of subtitle V is amended by inserting the following after chapter 225: Sec. 22601. National rail development plan. 22602. Regional rail development plans. Within 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall complete a National Rail Development Plan. The objectives of the National Rail Development Plan are— to set forth national policy involving high-performance rail transportation, including presenting priorities and strategies to enhance high-performance rail transportation; and to serve as the foundation for Regional Rail Development Plans.
The National Rail Development Plan shall include the following elements: Conditions under which Federal investments in regional networks comprised of Core Express Corridors, Regional Corridors, and/or Feeder Corridors are justified, to include, at a minimum, parameters addressing the following criteria: Population size and density. Projected population and economic growth and changing demographic characteristics. Connections to local rail and bus transit and alternative transportation options.
Economic profile of specific markets. Congestion on existing transportation facilities and constraints on future capacity enhancements, in relation to efficient movement of both goods and people. Distances between markets. Geographic characteristics. Conditions under which Federal investments in freight rail projects are justified. A discussion of benefits and costs of potential investments in high-performance rail that considers both user and public benefits and costs from a network perspective, to include factors such as potential passenger ridership or freight tonnage changes, travel time reductions, enhanced mobility benefits, improved reliability and resilience, environmental benefits, economic benefits, and other public benefits, including sensitivity analyses on these factors.
Issues related to timing and phasing for the implementation of potential Core Express Corridors, Regional Corridors, and Feeder Corridors. A strategy for investments in intermodal passenger stations that are linked to local public transportation and non-motorized transportation options, and that connect to residential areas, commercial areas, and other nearby transportation facilities. Policies and strategies for improving the competitiveness of the Nation’s freight rail industry.
Suggested performance standards for fiscal and operational performance of new and enhanced high-performance rail services by service type. General description of the environmental benefits or impacts related to the expansion of passenger and freight rail networks, including analysis of climate change issues and implications. Recommendations regarding project financing, management and implementation for corridor development, station development, and similar projects. Achievement of the objectives set forth in section 101 of the Rail for America Act.
Additional factors that the Secretary deems relevant for achieving the objectives of this subsection. The Secretary shall facilitate the development of a Regional Rail Development Plans to describe a multi-State region’s plans for a comprehensive and integrated rail network, including plans for public investment in projects that contribute towards efficient movement and increased capacity for freight, by either Regional Rail Development Authorities, described in chapter 289 of this title, or by any two or more States that have entered into interstate compacts, agreements, or organizations for the purpose of developing such a plan.
A project proposal for Passenger Corridor funding that is consistent with an adopted Regional Rail Development Plan shall be eligible for a higher Federal share of total project costs under the Passenger Corridors program, as described in section 24605(b)(7)(B) of this title, provided that the Regional Rail Development Plan meets the content and process criteria set forth in this paragraph. At a minimum, the Regional Rail Development Plan shall contain— a map that shows specific alignment alternatives for the Core Express Corridors, Regional Corridors, and Feeder Corridors that are consistent with the criteria established in the National Rail Development Plan and that identifies potential station locations; an examination of multi-modal corridors and connections that considers the most cost-effective means for achieving the region’s transportation goals and objectives; a phasing plan for developing or upgrading specific segments of the regional network; a capital cost estimate for developing the regional network; an analysis of operating financial forecasts, including high-level ridership and revenue projections; a benefit-cost analysis for the regional network that considers both user and public benefits and costs from a network perspective, to include factors such as ridership projections, travel time reductions, enhanced mobility benefits, improved reliability and resilience, environmental benefits, economic benefits, and other public benefits; an analysis of potential land use policies and strategies for areas near high-performance rail stations; general description of the environmental benefits or impacts that could result from implementation of the Regional Rail Development Plan, including analysis of climate change issues and implications; consideration of the goals, policies, and investment priorities described in highway and transit plans developed by States and metropolitan planning organizations within the region; potential non-Federal funding sources, including a detailed consideration of anticipated private sector participation; a proposal for the institutional and governance structures that will be necessary to develop, operate, and maintain the regional network; other project implementation considerations, including an analysis of the readiness of specific corridors to proceed for development as evidenced by the completion of service development planning and environmental analyses; identification of plans for cost-effective, public investment in shared-benefit projects that contribute toward the efficient movement and increased capacity for freight rail operations; or evidence of support from affected States and local jurisdictions.
At a minimum, the process for creating the Regional Rail Development Plan shall fulfill the following: Be led and formally adopted either— by a Regional Rail Development Authority, as described in chapter 289 of this title, with the final plan being formally adopted by the Regional Rail Development Authority; or by two or more States that have jointly engaged in the planning process, with the final plan being formally incorporated into the State Rail Plans, State Freight Plans, and Statewide Transportation Improvement Plans of each State, as applicable.
Ensure substantial opportunities for involvement of affected stakeholders, including but not limited to local communities, elected officials, economic development bodies, business leaders, railroad infrastructure owners, regional air quality planning agencies, Amtrak, passenger rail service operators, freight railroad operators, representatives of rail labor, metropolitan planning organizations, governing authorities for transit systems or airports, Tribal governments, and the general public, including local communities, low-income and minority populations, people with disabilities, and older Americans.
Provide the stakeholders, including those listed in subparagraph (B), reasonable opportunity to comment on and participate in the development and implementation of the Plans, particularly with regard to subsection (c)(1)(A) and (G). In order to be eligible for Federal funding through the Passenger Corridor program, a Core Express Corridor, Regional Corridor, or Feeder Corridor identified in the Regional Rail Development Plan shall be consistent with the parameters identified in the National Rail Development Plan.
In the event that the Regional Rail Development Plan is adopted prior to publication of the National Rail Development Plan, the Regional Plan shall be updated within 1 year of the publication of the National Plan. The Secretary may waive requirements under this subsection as necessary to accommodate unique characteristics and situations in specific regions. Planning activities to create a Regional Rail Development Plan are eligible to receive Planning grants, as described in subsection 24605(e) of this title.
The Federal share of such a grant shall not exceed 80 percent of the total cost of the project. . Section 103(j) is amended— by striking paragraphs
(2)and (3); and by redesignating paragraphs
(4)through (7), respectively, as paragraphs
(2)through (5).
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