2010-01-13-奥纬咨询-How_Shared_Use_Can_Pay_Off_8页_186kb

Future North American Passenger Operations: The Infrastructure Dilemma Summary

Core Content

The development of new intercity passenger rail services in North America is facing significant challenges due to the existing freight rail infrastructure. The Obama Administration initiated federal funding programs to support passenger rail projects, but the rapid construction of new infrastructure is hindered by financial, legal, and operational complexities. As a result, future passenger rail services are likely to rely on existing freight rail networks, leading to the concept of shared-use infrastructure.

Main Challenges of Shared-Use Infrastructure

• Capital Intensity: Building new infrastructure is extremely costly, with estimates ranging from $5 million to $35 million per mile.
• Environmental and Regulatory Hurdles: Acquiring rights-of-way (ROW) and obtaining environmental and local government approvals is a major obstacle.
• Operational Complexity: Passenger trains consume more line capacity than freight trains due to their higher speeds and strict scheduling requirements.
• Legal Exposure: Increased passenger train activity raises safety risks and insurance liabilities, especially with the presence of more people on and near rail infrastructure.
• Impact on Freight Operations: Passenger trains can disrupt the flexible scheduling and capacity management that freight railroads rely on, leading to operational inefficiencies and reduced flexibility.

Key Considerations for Shared Use

• Capacity Payment Model: Passenger trains should pay for the actual capacity they consume, not just the number of trains.
• Train Slotting: Clear rules for train prioritization and compensation for missed slots are necessary to ensure fair usage.
• Infrastructure Maintenance: A compensation formula should be established to ensure freight railroads are adequately reimbursed for maintenance and upgrades.
• Legal Liability: Passenger authorities should bear the liability for passenger-related incidents, even if the infrastructure is owned by freight railroads.
• Safety Technology: Positive Train Control (PTC) may be necessary for shared-use systems, with cost-sharing mechanisms to offset freight railroad expenses.

Potential Benefits for Freight Railroads

• Revenue Diversification: Freight railroads can generate additional income from operating passenger trains and utilizing off-peak hours.
• Partnership Model: A "partner" approach allows freight railroads to engage more closely with passenger operators, potentially leading to shared growth and increased revenue.
• Government Investment: Proactive collaboration with passenger rail authorities can position freight railroads to benefit from government grants and investments in rail capacity.
• Operational Efficiency: Shared-use corridors can improve overall network efficiency, especially when combined with infrastructure upgrades and better scheduling practices.

Examples of Successful Shared-Use Models

• Union Pacific and Amtrak: Their partnership on the Capitol Corridor has led to significant revenue growth and improved on-time performance.
• Canadian National and VIA: They have agreed to expand rail capacity on the Montreal-Toronto link, showcasing the potential for cross-border collaboration.
• Amtrak's Use of Freight Lines: Amtrak has successfully operated on existing freight lines, demonstrating the viability of shared-use systems in North America.

Conclusion

While the development of new passenger rail services in North America is constrained by the current freight infrastructure ownership model, there are viable strategies for creating a shared-use system that benefits both freight and passenger operators. These include planning with detailed modeling, adopting fair capacity payment mechanisms, and exploring partnership models that allow for more integrated operations. The future of intercity passenger rail in North America depends on finding a balance between public and private interests, and Oliver Wyman advocates for cooperation over competition in this space.

Oliver Wyman's Role

Oliver Wyman, with extensive experience in rail strategy and infrastructure development, offers expertise to support both freight and passenger railroads, as well as government agencies, in assessing and implementing shared-use models. The firm emphasizes the importance of strategic planning and collaboration to ensure the long-term success of rail infrastructure in North America.