Implementation Mechanisms

Implementation Mechanisms

Rail

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  The CREATE program has an unfunded need of $2.56 billion and to date almost $200 million has been obligated to implement a three-year plan (2007-2009) to advance 32 projects into final design or construction.
  
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    MGA states and relevant agencies should support the CREATE program to secure the additional necessary funding from regional, state, and federal agencies to implement the remaining rail improvement projects by CREATE. These rail improvement projects will:
    
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      Increase rail capacity by addressing rail system bottlenecks and
      
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      Remove, through regional, statewide and national planning activities, bottlenecks (both physical and operational) for the efficient movement of freight by all modes of transportation.
      

State and Local Government

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  State and local governments should perform an audit of emissions from shipping goods that will identify fuel use and energy costs, reduce fuel-related transportation costs, manage fuel price and supply volatility, develop strategies to reduce emissions in supply chain, and leverage knowledge, information and benchmarks to improve decision-making processes.
  
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  Establish criteria for state and local governments to factor greenhouse gas emissions created from transporting shipped goods. Established criteria should be a factor in bidding processes for shipped goods.
  

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  Maximize funding to the region recently made available in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 for competitive grants to states, local units of government, and metropolitan transportation authorities to implement transportation projects that reduce emissions, including shipside electrification of vehicles, truck stop electrification, airport ground support equipment and cargo handling equipment. A total of $400 million was authorized and the U.S Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy will be administering the funds.
  

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  Begin regional planning processes to identify efficiency opportunities in the Midwest freight transportation sector focused on identifying intermodal infrastructure efficiencies to improve the speed of freight shipping across the region.
  
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  Develop model freight-related planning approaches such as multi-state, multi-modal plan and incorporating best practices that respond to freight system trends.
  

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  Support river and lake lock improvements to improve the efficiency, capacity, and navigability of waterway systems while mitigating environmental impacts. Improvements are necessary for intermodal shifts that would ultimately reduce the greatest amount of greenhouse gas emissions.
  

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  Establish tax credits for rail expansion/preservation;
  
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  Support initiatives to encourage railroad capital investment to increase capacity (e.g. tax credits);
  
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  Identify opportunities for increased intermodal freight movement;
  
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  Utilize federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding to support rail freight improvements.
  
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  Develop additional trucking lanes where needed to integrate with intermodal changes and upgrades;
  
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  Move freight from interstates to alternative modes;
  
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  Improve freight logistics to help with load matching, route, and schedule optimization;
  
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  Develop and enhance feeder barge container shipping;
  
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  Integrate aviation, rail, and interstate networks to support connectivity; and
  
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  Support a federally dedicated funding mechanism for rail improvements, upgrades, new projects or other necessary projects to improve the Midwest rail system.
  

Related Policies/Programs in Place

Michigan has a similar proposal to the CREATE program in climate process. It was supported by participants.

The Chicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program (CREATE) is a partnership between the State of Illinois, City of Chicago, Metra, Amtrak, Association of American Railroads, and the U.S. Department of Transportation. Chicago is the nation’s rail hub and the rail improvements proposed to be made by CREATE will increase the efficiency of the region’s rail infrastructure. CREATE includes 78 critically needed rail and highway infrastructure improvements in Northeast Illinois. Projects include:

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  25 Road/Rail grade separations to eliminate grade crossings, route roadway over or under rail line at crucial locations throughout the region;
  
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  6 rail/rail grade separations, which will reduce chronic delays with bridges at key points where passenger and freight lines cross each other;
  
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  47 railroad projects to reduce chokepoints and increase capacity;
  
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  Grade crossing safety enhancements; and
  
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  Viaduct improvements to upgrade safety and appearance of rail bridges over roadways.
  

In Illinois, class I railroads defer the right of way to Amtrak and Metra, so when passenger trains move, freight must stand aside. When freight trains are moving, passengers must stand aside in many locations, due to capacity issues and chokepoints.

Type(s) of GHG Reductions

For example: Primarily CO₂.

Estimated GHG Reductions and Net Costs or Cost Savings

Data Sources:

List, if possible provide URL..

Quantification Methods:

Briefly describe in a paragraph/several sentences. Okay to refer to information supplied above.

Key Assumptions: List/describe

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