Commuter Rail

Commuter rail provides transit to commuters traveling from the suburbs to central business districts. Commuter rail generally uses the same right-of-way as existing freight and passenger train tracks.

Commuter rail service is heavily oriented toward peak commuting hours. Large-scale systems provide frequent peak-period service and a base service during non-peak periods and weekends. Smaller systems only serve weekday peak periods, while some specialized systems function more like a local-area shuttle.

Commuter rail trains can be powered by both diesel and electricity using locomotive-hauled operation or multiple-car unit operation. The stop interval is longer than that of heavy rail and light rail, and fares are collected on board the train.

Executive Summary

Commuter rail traditionally serves older industrial cities such as Boston, New York, and Chicago. As population grows and traffic congestion worsens, the commuter rail system is becoming more valued in metropolitan areas. It provides cost-efficient, peak-period travel service for long-distance passengers. Commuter rail has a high potential to attract customers that drive from suburban homes to work in the central business district or other activity centers during weekdays.

***Image of Commuter Rail here***

• Improves regional mobility and accessibility by providing a commuter choice and a reliable way to get to employment, recreation, education, and other opportunities.
• Costs less compared to a new freeway or other rail modes. Commuter rail is less costly because it uses existing right-of-way and shares tracks with freight trains, requiring minimal new construction. Low-density suburbs sometimes cannot reach a certain threshold for rail operation, so commuter rail stations work as a collection point for commuters in those areas.

• Provides a comfortable alternative to driving. To operate over existing railroads safely, commuter rail’s locomotives and cars fit railway standards in size and strength, which means space for passenger to sit comfortably. To compete with automobiles and meet passengers’ expectations during a long journey, commuter rail provides amenities such as Wi-Fi.
• Is better for the environment. As an alternative to single-occupancy vehicles, commuter rail consumes about one-fifth the energy of automobiles per passenger mile and significantly reduces traffic congestion during peak times.

Since the primary purpose of commuter rail is to transport people from outlying suburbs to the city center, commuter rail typically serves urban areas with populations ranging from 2 million to 10 million people.¹

Typical commuter rail systems range from 20 to 50 miles in length² and carry between 400 and 1,400 passengers during rush hour.³ Trains depart every 30 minutes during rush hour, operate at speeds between 30 and 50 miles per hour,² and only make a stop every 2 to 5 miles to accommodate the long acceleration and deceleration times required by diesel-powered locomotives.² Passengers can get on board the rail vehicle from a high platform or at ground level at major stations.

Commuter rail does not require getting new right-of-way (or requires very little) or the construction of new main-line tracks since it shares tracks with intercity freight or other passenger trains. Commuter rail tracks are either owned by the transit system or accessed through an agreement with railroad owners.

Commuter rail can use either diesel- or electric-powered locomotives for traction. Although diesel traction is more common and less expensive, electric traction allows for faster acceleration with less environmental impact and tends to be used in busy routes where frequent stops are needed. Commuter rail can also be self-propelled; all cars in a multiple-unit train are powered using diesel or electricity. Multiple-unit operation is more flexible in train length, but this kind of propulsion system is much more expensive than a locomotive.

Park-and-ride lots around commuter rail stations play an important role in maximizing ridership. Commuter rail lines typically serve low-density suburban areas; passengers who are willing to ride the trains may require adequate customer parking to transfer from one mode to another. For many customers, parking lots are the primary means of access. Transit agencies and planners should consider parking needs and future expansion potential when planning commuter rail stations.

Commuter rail sharing common railway tracks may result in challenges for railways already using the tracks. Planners often need to negotiate using tracks with very busy freight rail operators and pay an annual track fee. This track fee may make it difficult to find adequate funding for both construction and operation.

Commuter rail operation is heavily reliant on infrastructure and services provided by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), and most commuter rail agencies across the country contract with Amtrak for some level of access. The United States Government Accountability Office reported that Amtrak’s chronic financial problems may be a significant concern for commuter rail operations. In the event that Amtrak were to abruptly stop, commuter rail operation would be significantly impacted.⁴

Economic development potential along commuter-rail corridors is lower than along heavy-rail or light-rail corridors because commuter rail is generally separated from other urban uses except at stations because of sharing track with freight rail. Along the corridor, there is generally no integration with streets, and pedestrian activity is not permitted. Also, stations are often located in low-density suburbs where insufficient population keeps businesses from investing in the area.

Commuter rail is designed to meet interurban needs. If the commuter rail lines serve multiple jurisdictions, state departments of transportation (DOTs) often take a lead role and are directly involved in the planning and implementation process.

If commuter rail routes span a large urbanized area or a single jurisdiction, the metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs) and local transit authorities lead the associated planning and development activities. They also administer the Federal Transit Administration and/or Federal Highway Administration funding.

State DOTs, MPOs, or local transit authorities may own the tracks and operate trains, but often these agencies buy the tracks and contract services to a third-party operator.

Project Time Frame

Commuter rail planning and implementation may take decades in some areas. Specific time frames depend on the number of routes, route length, existing railroad track coverage, and conditions. Service implementation includes existing condition analysis, alternatives evaluation, a service implementation plan, a system integration plan, financial analysis, an environmental review, and public involvement, which can all take a considerable amount of time.

Data Needs

Data needs for commuter rail planning and implementation are intensive. Planners need the following data to estimate ridership, capital, and operating costs:

• Demographics data—population density, employment density, and means of transportation to work.
• Spatial data—existing railroad corridors, highway network, employment centers, and surrounding land uses.
• Other data—freight traffic volumes, environmental factors, and market characteristics.