Measuring the benefits of intercity passenger rail : a study of the Heartland Flyer corridor.

650338783Research report; Sept. 2008-Apr. 2010.PDFTech ReportSWUTC/10/169116-110727Passenger serviceIntercity transportationSurveysEconomic impactsOklahomaTexasTexas Transportation InstituteSperry, Benjamin R.Morgan, Curtis A.Texas Transportation InstituteSouthwest Region University Transportation Center (U.S.)NTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail Planning and PolicyNTL-RAIL TRANSPORTATION-Rail Economics and FinanceUS Transportation CollectionIn recent years, the policy and regulatory environment for intercity passenger rail in the United States hasshifted dramatically, sparking a renewed interest in intercity passenger rail among policymakers,planners, and the general public. As the nation expands its passenger rail network, a better understandingof the mobility provided by short- to medium-distance corridors is desired. This study examined theHeartland Flyer, a 206-mile intercity passenger rail route between Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and FortWorth, Texas. Researchers analyzed responses to an on-board survey, distributed to passengers in Apriland July of 2009, to identify who was using the service and how the service impacted regional mobility.The key measure used to identify the mobility impacts was the passengers\ue2\u20ac\u2122 self-reported alternatives fortravel if the Heartland Flyer were discontinued. This study also identifies the economic impact of therail service, measured through total spending on certain items (and the associated sales tax revenue). Thefindings of this study can be used in a variety of potential applications for all levels of passenger railplanning, including statewide rail planning, corridor-specific studies, and station-area planning, both inthe southwestern United States and in other regions