FEASIBILITY STUDY DANBURY BRANCH ELECTRIFICATION …...cannondale branchville redding bethel danbury...

FEASIBILITY STUDY DANBURY BRANCH ELECTRIFICATION PROJECT

PROJECT

UPDATE FOR THE

NEW MILFORD

RAIL SERVICE

RESTORATION SOCIETY

OCTOBER 28, 2003

PROJECT

UPDATE FOR THE

NEW MILFORD RAIL

RESTORATION SOCIETY

OCTOBER 28, 2003

STUDY TEAM

• CONNECTICUT DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

- RESPONSIBLE FOR STUDY; DIRECTS THE FOLLOWING TEAM:

• WASHINGTON GROUP INTERNATIONAL (PRIME CONSULTANT)

– SUBCONSULTANTS

• GANNETT FLEMING TRANSIT & RAIL SYSTEMS

• URBITRAN ASSOCIATES

• MULTISYSTEMS

• JAC PLANNING

• PROJECT PLANNING AND ANALYSIS

STUDY PURPOSE & GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

• STUDY PURPOSE

– EVALUATE A RANGE OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICE IMPROVEMENTS

– DETERMINE POTENTIAL TO ENHANCE THE BRANCH’S ATTRACTION

– ALTERNATIVE TO DRIVING ROUTE 7

– ALTERNATIVE TO COMMUTING ON THE HARLEM LINE

• GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

– INCREASE UTILITY OF THE BRANCH, ALLOWING FOR REDUCED TRAVEL TIME AND MORE FREQUENT SERVICE

– EXPLORE FEASIBILITY OF PASSENGER SERVICE, DANBURY TO NEW MILFORD

– HELP REDUCE AUTOMOBILE CONGESTION IN THE ROUTE 7 CORRIDOR AND OTHER ADJACENT NORTH/SOUTH CORRIDORS

– IMPROVE ATTRACTIVENESS OF THE DANBURY BRANCH AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE HARLEM LINE IN NEW YORK STATE FOR CONNECTICUT RAIL COMMUTERS

STUDY OUTLINE – FIVE TASKS

• DATA COLLECTION, REVIEW, PUBLIC OUTREACH

• EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING ALTERNATIVES

• RIDERSHIP FORECASTING

• EVALUATE THE IMPACT OF ELECTRIFICATION

• FINAL REPORT

Danbury Branch Study - Phase IProject 302-008 - Work Schedule RevisedPrepared by Washington Group - September 18, 2003

Task or Activity Mar-03 Apr-03 May-03 Jun-03 Jul-03 Aug-03 Sep-03 Oct-03 Nov-03 Dec-03 Jan-04 Feb-04Task 1 - Data Collection & Public Outreach Plan1.0 Review Previous Studies, Reports, Plans1.1 Review Existing Rail Schedules/Service Patterns1.3 Review Freight Service Sched./Service Patterns1.4 Review Transit Interface1.5 Review Existing Road Netw ork1.6 Review Existing Rail Ridership1.7 Public Outreach PlanAdvisory Committee MeetingsPublic MeetingsPurpose and Needs Report Study Web Page Placed on Line/Updated

Task 2 - Evaluation of Engineering Alternatives2.1 Review Branch Line Rights of Way Boundaries2.2 Evaluate Track geometry Improvements2.3 evaluate Feasibility of Double Tracking2.4 Evaluate Feasibility of Pasing Sidings Alternative2.5 Evaluate Innovative TechnologiesPrepare Draft Task 2 Report Review and Comment PeriodPrepare Final Task 2 Report

Task 3 - Ridership ForecastingInterface w ith DOT Forecasting UnitRidership Forecast Model Runs by DOT

Task 4 - Evaluate the Impact of Electrif icationCapital Cost EstimatesEffect of Electrif ication on Running TimePrepare Draft Task 4 ReportReview and CommentPrepare Final Task 4 Report

Task 5 - Phase I Final Report & PresentationPrepare Phase I Final ReportPrepare Phase I PresentationPresentations to Public

placed online open to public

PROJECT MILESTONES

• TASK ONE – DATA COLLECTION, PUBLIC OUTREACH PLAN (JUNE, 2003); PURPOSE AND NEEDS REPORT (SEPTEMBER, 2003)

• TASK TWO – EVALUATION OF ENGINEERING ALTERNATIVES (JANUARY, 2004)

• TASK THREE – RIDERSHIP FORECASTING (SPRING, 2004)

• TASK FOUR – EVALUATION OF IMPACTS OF ELECTRIFICATION (FEBRUARY, 2004)

• TASK FIVE – FINAL REPORT & PRESENTATION (SPRING, 2004)

Public Outreach

• Goal 1 - Establish effective communication with the public

• Goal 2 - Encourage early and continuing public participation

• Goal 3 - Present complete information to the public

• Goal 4 - Determine public sentiment

http://www.danburybranchstudy.com

Public Meetings

Danbury to New Milford

Extension of Passenger Service

Danbury to New Milford Section

• Study of this section resulting from Transportation Strategy Board priority

• Study of this section follows completion of Branch line review in Task 2

• Involves thorough on-site investigation

• Will involve discussions between Housatonic Railroad, ConnDOT, Metro-North, HVCEO, Study Team and local representatives

Danbury to New Milford Section

• Maybrook Line (Danbury to Berkshire Junction) – 2.9 miles

• Berkshire Line (Berkshire Junction to New Milford) –11.5 miles

• 9 Grade Crossings

• 7 Overhead Bridges

• 3 Sidings (New Milford Station, Kimberly-Clark, Berkshire Junction)

• ROW owned by Housatonic Railroad Co.

Danbury to New Milford Issues Implementing Passenger Service on

Existing Freight Lines

• Compensation

• Liability Insurance

• Grade Crossing Safety

• Signaling and Train Control Requirements

• Right-of-Way Capacity Constraints

• Maintaining Integrity of Freight Service

• Track Upgrade Requirements

• Freight Clearances (electrification)

Overview of Engineering Task 2

Potential Improvement Strategies

Potential Improvement Strategies

• Track Geometry Improvements - Curvature, Grades, Super Elevations, Clearances, Grade Crossings

• Potential for Double Tracking

• Feasibility of Passing Sidings

• Electrification

• Application of Innovative Technologies

RED – INBOUND, DANBURY TO SOUTH NORWALKBLUE – OUTBOUND, SOUTH NORWALK TO DANBURYGREEN – INBOUND/OUTBOUND TRAINS WITH SCHEDULED MEETS

KEY:

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SOUTH NORWALK

MERRITT

WILTON

CANNONDALE

BRANCHVILLE

REDDING

BETHEL

DANBURY

HOUSATONIC R.R. STA. EQUATION 24.1=0.0

BROOKFIELD

NEW MILFORD

0.0

3.7

7.3

8.9

12.7

17.3

21.0

23.6

4.4

11.1

1:3

0 a

DANBURY BRANCH

CURRENT MNR WEEKDAY SCHEDULE

SOUTH NORWALK TO DANBURY

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

50

BR

AN

CH

VILL

E

RED

DIN

G

BET

HEL

1 4 5

S. N

OR

WA

LK

MER

RIT

T 7

WIL

TON

CA

NN

ON

DA

LE

24Milepost

20 21 22 23

DA

NB

UR

Y

EXISTING MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED

RESTRICTIONS

12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

PASS

ENG

ER

STA

TIO

NS

Spee

d (m

ph)

10 116 7 8 92 3

South Norwalk to Danbury

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

50

PASS

ENG

ER

STA

TIO

NS

Spee

d (m

ph)

10 116 7 8 9

DA

NB

UR

Y

PROPOSED MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED

12 13 14 15 16 17

INCREASED SPEED

EXISTING SPEED

24Milepost

20 21 22 232 31 4 5

S. N

OR

WA

LK

MER

RIT

T 7

INCREASED SPEED DUE TO INCREASE IN SUPERELEVATION AND UNDERBALANCE.

BR

AN

CH

VILL

E

RED

DIN

G

BET

HEL

WIL

TON

CA

NN

ON

DA

LE

18 19

South Norwalk to Danbury

EXISTING SPEED VS. TIME CHART

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00

10.0

0

20.0

0

30.0

0

40.0

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50.0

0

60.0

0

TIME IN MINUTES

SPEE

D IN

MPH

54.1

2

MER

RIT

7 S

TATI

ON

SOU

TH N

OR

WA

LK S

TATI

ON

BR

AN

CH

VIL

LE S

TATI

ON

RED

DIN

G S

TATI

ON

BET

HEL

STA

TIO

N

DA

NB

UR

Y S

TATI

ON

WIL

TON

STA

TIO

N

CA

NN

ON

DA

LE S

TATI

ON

South Norwalk to Danbury

INCREASED SPEED VS. TIME CHART

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00

10.0

0

20.0

0

30.0

0

40.0

0

50.0

0

6000

TIME IN MINUTES

SPEE

D IN

MPH

51.7

5

MER

RIT

7 S

TATI

ON

SOU

TH N

OR

WA

LK S

TATI

ON

BR

AN

CH

VIL

LE S

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ON

RED

DIN

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ON

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HEL

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TIO

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Y S

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ON

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TON

STA

TIO

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NN

ON

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LE S

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ON

South Norwalk to Danbury

UNRESTRICTED SPEED VS. TIME CHART

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00

5.00

10.0

0

15.0

0

20.0

0

25.0

0

30.0

0

35.0

0

40.0

0

45.0

0

50.0

0

TIME IN MINUTES

SP

EE

D IN

MP

H

MER

RIT

7 S

TATI

ON

SOU

TH N

OR

WA

LK S

TATI

ON

BR

AN

CH

VIL

LE S

TATI

ON

RED

DIN

G S

TATI

ON

BET

HEL

STA

TIO

N

DA

NB

UR

Y S

TATI

ON

WIL

TON

STA

TIO

N

CA

NN

ON

DA

LE S

TATI

ON

43.1

8

South Norwalk to Danbury

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

23.3

* NOTE: TRAINS WILL HAVE TO STOP TO MANUALLY OPERATE HAND-THROW SWITCHES

DA

NB

UR

Y

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

9.0

* BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

3.0 4.0

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

1.0

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

PASS

ENG

ER

STA

TIO

NS

Spee

d (m

ph)

10.0

5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0

* MA

YBR

OO

K L

INE

2.0

EXISTING MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH RESTRICTIONS

Milepost

23.9/

77.4

78.0

11.0

79.0

80.0

/ 0.0

Danbury to New Milford

ESTIMATED RUN TIMES VERSUS SPEEDSOUTH NORWALK TO DANBURY

CURRENT SCHEDULE• INBOUND: 47 MINUTES• OUTBOUND: 47 – 54 MINUTES

BASELINE• 50 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH SPEED RESTRICTIONS • 45.78 MINUTES

INCREASED SUPERELEVATION• 60 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH SPEED RESTRICTIONS • 42.75 MINUTES

UN-RESTRICTED TIME• 60 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH SPEED RESTRICTIONS • 34.18 MINUTES• RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION REQUIRED

DWELL TIMES @ STATIONS - 60 SECONDS

EXISTING SPEED VS. TIME CHART

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00

5.00

10.0

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15.0

0

20.0

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25.0

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30.0

0

35.0

0

40.0

0

TIME IN MINUTES

DA

NB

UR

Y S

TATI

ON

MA

YB

RO

OK

LIN

E

BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

41.5

0

Danbury to New Milford

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

23.3

* NOTE: TRAINS WILL HAVE TO STOP TO MANUALLY OPERATE HAND-THROW SWITCHES

10.0

5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0

INCREASED SPEED

EXISTING SPEEDINCREASED SPEED DUE TO INCREASE IN SUPERELEVATION AND UNDERBALANCE.

40 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH RESTRICTIONS

Milepost

23.9/

77.4

78.0

11.0

79.0

80.0

/ 0.0

9.03.0 4.0

DA

NB

UR

Y

* MA

YBR

OO

K L

INE

2.0

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

* BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

1.0

Danbury to New Milford

INCREASE MAS TO 40 MPH VS. TIME CHART

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00

5.00

10.0

0

15.0

0

20.0

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25.0

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30.0

0

35.0

0

40.0

0

TIME IN MINUTES

SPEE

D IN

MPH D

AN

BU

RY

STA

TIO

N

MA

YB

RO

OK

LIN

E

BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

34.3

0

Danbury to New Milford

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

23.3

* NOTE: TRAINS WILL HAVE TO STOP TO MANUALLY OPERATE HAND-THROW SWITCHES

DA

NB

UR

Y

* MA

YBR

OO

K L

INE

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

9.0

* BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

3.0 4.0

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

1.0

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

INCREASED SPEED DUE TO INCREASE IN SUPERELEVATION AND UNDERBALANCE.

PASS

ENG

ER

STA

TIO

NS

Spee

d (m

ph)

10.0

5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0

Milepost

23.9/

77.4

78.0

11.0

79.0

80.0

/ 0.0

2.0

EXISTING SPEED

INCREASED SPEED

50 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH

RESTRICTIONS

Danbury to New Milford

INCREASE MAS TO 50 MPH VS. TIME CHART

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00

5.00

10.0

0

15.0

0

20.0

0

25.0

0

30.0

0

3500

TIME IN MINUTES

SPEE

D IN

MPH D

AN

BU

RY

STA

TIO

N

MA

YB

RO

OK

LIN

E

BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

31.3

0

Danbury to New Milford

75

70

65

60

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

23.3

* NOTE: THIS ALTERNATIVE ASSUMES REMOTE CONTROL, POWER-OPERATED SWITCHES. TRAINS WILL NOT HAVE TO STOP.

DA

NB

UR

Y

* MA

YBR

OO

K L

INE

INCREASED SPEED DUE TO: 1) INCREASE IN SUPERELEVATION AND UNDERBALANCE. 2) REALIGNING RAILROAD. EXTENT OF REALIGNMENT AND ROW ACQUISITION NOT DETERMINED

Milepost

23.9/

77.4

78.0

11.0

79.0

80.0

/ 0.0

PASS

ENG

ER

STA

TIO

NS

Spee

d (m

ph)

10.0

5.0 6.0 7.0 8.02.0

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

9.0

* BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

3.0 4.0

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

1.0

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

INCREASED SPEED

60 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH

RESTRICTIONS

EXISTING SPEED

Danbury to New Milford

INCREASE MAS TO 60 MPH VS. TIME CHART

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

0.00

5.00

10.0

0

15.0

0

20.0

0

25.0

0

TIME IN MINUTES

SPEE

D IN

MPH D

AN

BU

RY

STA

TIO

N

MA

YB

RO

OK

LIN

E

BER

KSH

IRE

LIN

E

NO

RTH

DA

NB

UR

Y

BR

OO

KFI

ELD

NEW

MIL

FOR

D

23.0

0

Danbury to New Milford

ESTIMATED RUN TIMES VERSUS SPEEDDANBURY TO NEW MILFORD

ESTIMATED SCHEDULE• EXISTING SPEEDS FROM HOUSATONIC RAILROAD TRACK CHARTS• RUNTIME BASED ON MNR GENESIS LOCOMOTIVES• DMU’s CAN ACCELERATE FASTER, MAY REDUCE ANOTHER MINUTE OFF OF SCHEDULE

BASELINE• 30 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH SPEED RESTRICTIONS • 41.4 MINUTES• ESTIMATED RUNTIMES INCLUDE 5 MINUTES TO OPERATE HAND-THROW SWITCHES IN DANBURY AND AT BERKSHIRE JUNCTION

• DWELL TIMES @ STATIONS - 60 SECONDS

ESTIMATED RUN TIMES VERSUS SPEEDDANBURY TO NEW MILFORD

INCREASED SUPERELEVATION/UNDERBALANCE• 40 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH SPEED RESTRICTIONS• 34.3 MINUTES• 50 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITH SPEED RESTRICTIONS• 31.3 MINUTES• ESTIMATED RUNTIMES INCLUDE 5 MINUTES TO OPERATEHAND-THROW SWITCHES IN DANBURY AND AT BERKSHIRE JUNCTION

UN-RESTRICTED SPEED • 60 MPH MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE SPEED WITHOUT SPEED RESTRICTIONS• 23.0 MINUTES• RIGHT-OF-WAY AQUISITION REQUIRED• WAYSIDE SIGNAL SYSTEM WITH POWER OPERATED SWITCHES REQUIRED

• DWELL TIMES @ STATIONS - 60 SECONDS

RE-ALIGNED TRACK

EXISTING TRACK

CURVE RE-ALIGNMENT TO INCREASE SPEED

RIGHT-OF-WAY GRADE CROSSING

CURVE RE-ALIGNMENT TO INCREASE SPEED

EXISTING TRACK

RE-ALIGNED TRACK

RIGHT-OF-WAY

RIGHT-OF-WAY TAKE

GRADE CROSSING

THANK YOU FOR COMING!

QUESTIONS???