– Bill Lindley, June ‘93
Undertaking proceedings initiated by HR 2880 last year, the Joint Legislative Study Committee met May 12 in one of the House Hearing Rooms at the State Capitol. Topic: the implementation of Regional Rail for Arizona.
A presentation was given by Kimley-Horn and LTK Engineering Services, which are consulting on the Arizona Rail Passenger Feasibility Study. As detailed by the hand-out, the study area now includes Cochise and Yavapai Counties and the branches to Williams and Douglas.
Among key issues being considered in this study are: ridership forecasts; coordination with the railroads; selection of appropriate technology; and the need for public support of the final proposal. Ridership forecasts would include both comparison to similar systems and market surveys. Technology alternatives fall into three corridor categories:
- Intercity. Traditional locomotive-drawn trains contrast with other choices such as self-propelled or “new” designs.
- Urban.These basically include solutions such as push-pull commuter trains, self-propelled, or electric propulsion such as light or heavy rail.
- Historic. Issues here include Steam vs. Diesel engine, and the use of refurbished as opposed to reproduction equipment.
More specifically, equipment considerations include not only the type of equipment (electric? diesel? loco-drawn or self-propelled? single or bi-level?) but also procurement (would remanufacturing be required? what arrangements for operation and maintenance?) as well as compatibility (with Amtrak, ADA and FRA). Additional concerns involve historic equipment (source; condition; and refurbishment standards).
The project schedule calls for completion of the recommendations by mid-December.
