Improve Empire Corridor rail travel times, train frequency and service reliability
Introduce higher passenger train speeds, possibly at least 110 mph between Schenectady and Niagara Falls
Maximize the number of corridor sections offering train speeds of at least 110 mph between New York City and Niagara Falls
What are Current Conditions?
New York State has one of the most comprehensive and intensively used rail passenger and freight transportation systems in the nation. However there are current service issues that need to be addressed to meet the market demands:
Remove capacity constraints that limit train frequency
Increase average train speed to reduce travel times
Improve infrastructure conditions to increase reliability
Evaluating Alternatives
The Project Team is evaluating a range of alternatives for introducing improved passenger rail service on the Empire Corridor. The alternatives development process is outlined below
As part of the Tier 1 EIS process, the project team identified a range of alternatives for introducing improved passenger rail service in the Empire Corridor. Each alternative requires differing levels of infrastructure improvements and corresponds to one of the FRA definitions of high speed rail - emerging, regional, and core express.
Initial Alternatives
Each alternative is a proposed action for improving passenger rail service in the Empire Corridor. The components of each of the alternatives under analysis are shown below. The check marks indicate the components required to implement each alternative under analysis. The elements of each alternative include:
Operational Improvements
Maximum Authorized Speed (MAS)
Frequency
Operational Improvements
Track
Signals
Stations
Equipment
Locomotive
Passenger Rail Cars
Performance measures will be used to help the project team compare the alternatives to each other. The performance measures include:
Operations
Trip Time
On-Time Performance (OTP)
Ridership
Revenues
Estimated Operation & Maintenance Costs
The process by which the alternatives are evaluated is illustrated below.
Five Alternatives Identified for Detailed Evaluation
Based on the evaluation procedure outlined above, the project team has analyzed the five alternatives and published the details in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS).
Download the DEIS and appendices from the DEIS page and learn how the high speed passenger rail service alternatives will affect mobility, safety, the environment, and economic growth. You are also welcome to view the DEIS and appendices at several libraries across the State listed on the DEIS page.
The alternatives were presented at the public hearings and open houses held throughout the State between March 4, 2014 and March 12, 2014. If you missed attending one of the public hearings, you can download and view the same material shown at the open houses and presented at the public hearings:
