HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOUNCIL - AGENDA ITEM - 03/03/2020 - STAFF REPORT: TRAIN UPDATE1
August 2019
Train Update
Joe Olson, City Traffic Engineer
• City has no jurisdiction to regulate
trains
• No regulations at State or Federal
level that limit blockage times
• Three train companies operate in
Fort Collins
• BNSF: ≈ 7 trains/day
• UP/GWRR: ≈ 4 trains/day
2
Horsetooth
Double Trains
• “Double Trains”
began in 2019
• ≈ 3 miles long
• Blockage time
between 8 min to
more than 20 mins
3
1 0
3 0
11 12
19 18
15
0
16
32
47
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
Double Trains by Month, BNSF Line
• Citywide P.M. Peak Travel Times
(from Q4 ‘18 to Q4 ‘19)
• Most affected areas:
• East / West arterials
• North College
• Lemay / Vine
• Delays highest from Mulberry north
due to track curvature and rail yard
4
7%
Train Impacts
Train Impacts
5
4 5
2 4
1 220
1 0 2
4 2
7 6 5
7 4
3 6
7 4
2 5
13
2224
3033
3234
28
32
51
57
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Number of Blockages >10 Minutes
College at Cherry
City Efforts
Working with FRA – Providing Data
• FRA is collecting data
on blocked crossings
• All are encouraged to
submit data
• https://www.fra.dot.gov/
blockedcrossings/
• www.fcgov.com/trains
6
City Efforts
Public Information Campaign
• Train-focused webpage at fcgov.com
• Signs installed at crossings
• Social Media
• Press release
• Coloradoan article
7
www.fcgov.com/trains
• Lemay/Vine overpass
• Automated post-train signal timing
plans
8
Other City Efforts
• Continuing dialogue with the Federal
Railroad Administration
• Quiet zone waiver request
• Ongoing collaboration with Colorado
Congressional delegation on train
issues