A Discussion on Transportation

A Discussion on Transportation

Dan O’Neal, ChairmanWashington State Transportation Commission

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Shifting Dynamics in Freight Bulk CommoditiesCompetition

West Coast PortsPanama Canal

MAP 21 Freight PolicyInslee Jobs AgendaGreat Northern

Corridor StudyTrucking ChallengesPassenger Rail

Demands Intermodal facility in Ritzville.

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National Freight Movement

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Rail Growth Over Time

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Rail Shipments by Commodity

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Rail Volume and Revenue

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Railroads by Revenue

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•32,000 route miles in 28 states and two Canadian provinces•Over 40,000 employees•Over 6,000 locomotives•13,100 bridges and 87 tunnels•Moves one-fourth of the nation’s rail freight•Operates over 1,400 freight trains per day•Serves over 40 ports•Unlike other forms of transportation, BNSF trains operate on an infrastructure financed almost entirely by the railroad

The BNSF System

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Statewide Rail System

Nearly the entire rail network is privately owned. BNSF and Union Pacific own almost all of the track in Washington. Amtrak and Sound Transit operate on BNSF track.

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Washington’s Rail System TodayStrengths: Providing good mobility for existing train

volumes. Extensive network connects citizens and

industry. Supports industries that contribute $106

billion to GDP and support 1.2 million jobs.

Most fuel-efficient mode and produces the least amount of carbon.

Challenges: Bottlenecks, constraints and access

issues on Class I system. Delays and reliability concerns. Deferred maintenance degrading level of

service on short-line railroads. Access to national and global markets. Meeting future demand. Maintaining a safe rail system.

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Washington Rail Traffic

Inbound Rail Flows

Outbound Rail Flows

Washington trades most with West North Central (45%), Mountain (18%) and East North Central region (14%) by rail.

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Bulk CommoditiesThere is concern that oil and coal will displace traditional agricultural commodities.Coal TerminalsOil from North DakotaWheat from the

PalouseCorn and soybeans

from the Midwest

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Projected change in Washington State commodity flows

Research supporting the state rail plan anticipates commodity rail traffic to more than double by 2035.

Shipments coming into Washington, most for export, are forecast to triple.

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CompetitionGood News:2012 Port of Tacoma

container volume up 25%, best since 2008.

On the Horizon:Expanded Panama Canal

opening 2015Port of LA --$500 million

railyard investmentPrince Rupert -- $295

million expansion

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Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP 21)

Establish National Freight Policy (Sec. 1115)

Establish National Freight Network. Factors: Freight origins and destinations Freight tonnage and value Annual average daily truck traffic Land and maritime ports of entry Access to energy exploration and

production Population centers Network connectivity

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MAP 21Prioritize projects

to improve freight movement

Develop performance targets for freight

State Freight Plan (WSDOT)

State Freight Advisory Committee (FMSIB)

Eligible projects may include construction, railway-highway grade separation, truck lanes, intermodal connectors, and intelligent transportation systems.

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Inslee Jobs AgendaWashington is most trade dependent state in USMajor focus on freight movement:

Columbia River Crossing Puget Sound Gateway

SR 167 connection to Port of Tacoma

SR 509 connection from Port of Seattle to I-5

Snoqualmie Pass Grade separation

projects

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Great Northern Corridor Study

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Participants:Montana is lead state. Others include Washington, Idaho, Oregon, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin. Includes many ports and economic development agencies

Study Goals:• Position Corridor as a national leader and a model in fostering a

culture of collaboration and coordination among transportation alliances in eight states

• Enhance economic vitality and global competitiveness of the Region • Support seamless integrated freight systems for the Region • Promote freight mobility and encourage optimal modal share of

freight based on efficiency, density, and environmental sustainability • Invest in a 21st Century transportation system for the Region to

support economic growth

Great Northern Corridor Study

Highways of Statewide Significance

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Trucking HighlightsTrucks carry about 70% of

the tonnage carried by all domestic shipping modes.

Motor carrier revenue is estimated at $650 billion (2009 est.)

Commercial trucks account for 14 % of motor vehicle miles.

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Trucking Challenges

Fuel CostsScarcity of long-

haul truck drivers Weather

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Passenger Rail DemandsWashington State has

received over $800 million in federal grants to improve Seattle-Portland passenger rail service.

Sounder Commuter Rail now operates 9 round trip trains daily between Tacoma and Seattle.

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AMTRAK and Designated High-Speed Rail Corridors

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Thank You!www.wstc.wa.gov