California Department of Transportation, Caltrans, has released a research report investigating how the state’s vast passenger and freight rail system contributes to California’s economy, as well as an overview of opportunities for rail to address the state’s needs and challenges in the future.
“Rail is a fundamental component of our transportation system that plays a strategic role in meeting California’s transportation needs,” Malcolm Dougherty, Director of Caltrans said.
“Rail and the California Economy” presents case studies and analysis of rail freight and passenger rail on land use, freeway congestion, the movement of different types of commodities, and the important contributions that these factors play in supporting the state’s complex and vibrant economy.
While the report highlights the benefits of developing an efficient and effective rail system it also presents the challenges, such as shared track use, coordinated ticketing, intercounty coordination on funding, maintenance issues, and more consistent bus connections.
According to the report, over USD 400 billion of United States imports moved through California in 2015, representing 18 percent of the national total, and 75 percent of containerized goods leaving the U.S. were transported by rail. Without rail service to and from the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, container flows through these ports would be reduced by 39 percent, while port truck traffic would increase by 44 percent.
In addition to freight rail, passenger rail plays a huge role in the state’s economy. The LOSSAN passenger corridor, which is under Amtrak and runs from San Luis Obispo to San Diego, has a positive economic effect on the Southern California region by stimulating growth in terms of residential, industrial and commercial development.
Regional commuter rail can also generate beneficial economic impacts by providing savings for its passengers, and reduce congestion and travel time for travelers on other modes. The Caltrain system is one of the busiest regional rail service in the country, operating along a 124-km corridor that extends from San Francisco to San Jose.
The report supports the California Transportation Plan 2040 and the 2018 State Rail Plan, and the idea of rail as a fundamental strategy for ensuring the state’s economic competitiveness, preserving and enhancing the environment, and improving the quality of life for California’s residents.
Share on:
