V. Dimitra Pyrialakou

Use of the TRB Research Needs Statements Database in an Introductory Transportation Course

The literature recognizes that the initial stages of a research project, including identifying and selecting a research topic, are the most challenging steps of project development for college students in the United States. Nevertheless, very limited literature exists on topic identification and selection, especially for undergraduate studies. TRB has built and maintains an extensive research needs statements (RNS) database. There is great potential for using this database as a tool to assist undergraduate and graduate students in transportation-related disciplines in selecting a research topic. This paper presents a case for using the RNS database for topic identification and selection in an introductory transportation engineering course for undergraduates at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. The students used the RNS database for the term design project. Data were collected through a survey distributed at the end of the course that aimed to solicit students’ feedback on their experiences using the database. The responses to the survey, along with other relevant information, were analyzed to explore the benefits of using the RNS database in a course. The findings of this study suggest that the students had a positive perception of the database. Both the instructor and the students found many benefits of using the database for finding topics for term projects. This paper provides recommendations based on the students’ feedback, the instructor’s experience, and the study findings. These recommendations should be considered by instructors who decide to use the RNS database for educational purposes, as well as by TRB staff tasked with maintaining the database.

Investigating the Spatial Distribution of Manufacturing Employment

An extensive body of research examines the relationship between transportation and economic activity in a region; however, many of the studies ignore the possible spatial interdependencies between regions. As a result, these studies may over- or underestimate the role that transportation plays on the economic activity of a region. This paper contributes to the literature by exploring the relationship between the supply of transportation infrastructure and manufacturing employment concentration through a model that accounts for the spatial structure of the data at the zip code level. The modeling approach, which is demonstrated with a case study in Indiana, accounts for spillovers across areas by using a spatial autoregressive model with autoregressive disturbances. The results indicate that the high concentration of manufacturing employment in Indiana has been strongly associated with proximity to industrial parks, low commuting time, a higher percentages of firms with more than 100 employees, lower highway density, and proximity to intermodal facilities. The results of this study could benefit metropolitan or rural planning organizations and economic development groups that aim to design policies or plans to attract manufacturing activity to their regions.

Exploring the Opinions of Passenger Rail Riders: Evidence From the Hoosier State Train

Ridership on Midwest passenger rail lines has been steadily increasing over the past two decades. Between 2005 and 2014, there has been a growth of more than 65 percent, much higher than the national average (approximately 30 percent for the same years). Nevertheless, a number of lines have discontinued their services or are in danger of discontinuance. For example, Kentucky Cardinal, operating between Chicago, Illinois and Louisville, Kentucky was discontinued in 2003, and the Three Rivers train, operating between Chicago, Illinois and New York, New York was discontinued in 2005. The Hoosier State train running between Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois would have faced the same fate recently, if not for the financial support that the state and communities have been providing since 2013. As of October 1, 2013, the State of Indiana, local communities, and Amtrak reached an agreement to support the Hoosier State line for the following fiscal year (2013–2014), and the agreement has continued ever since. In the meantime, the Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) was the first nationally to announce a Request for Proposals to seek competing solutions from independent providers, as allowed by the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 (PRIIA), in order to obtain private-sector competitive bids for the operation of the Hoosier State train. Recently, after many unfruitful attempts and many obstacles, INDOT reached an agreement with Iowa Pacific Holdings. The company has been providing the locomotives for the line since August 2015, and collaborates with Amtrak to keep the train in service, with a shared vision to increase service frequency, improve speed and maintain a reliable schedule, and provide better on-board amenities. However, to ensure the financial viability of the system and support any improvement or expansion, an increase in ridership is necessary. To achieve this, it is essential that we understand the opinions of Indiana residents, passengers of the Hoosier State train, and advocates of the line towards passenger rail.This paper presents the results of a survey that was conducted on board the Hoosier State train to solicit information pertaining to the perceived ease of use and usefulness of the passenger rail services, riders’ opinions, and other factors that might affect behavior toward passenger rail transportation, as well as factors that affect an individual’s mode choice in general, such as habitual automobile behavior, or external impedance factors like schedule and route restrictions. The survey was endorsed by INDOT and approved by Amtrak and Iowa Pacific Holdings. In addition, this paper presents how opinions toward passenger rail differ among different groups based on socioeconomic and demographic characteristics, familiarity with passenger rail transportation in general and the Hoosier State train specifically, and usage. Furthermore, in order to prioritize service improvements that can foster an increase in the Hoosier State ridership, this paper explores mode choice decisions through the use of a multi-attribute attitude model.The results of this paper can guide policy and planning decision making that aims to foster an increase in passenger rail ridership through a mode shift from personal automobiles and competing mass transportation systems, such as airlines and intercity buses.Copyright

Passenger Rail in Indiana: From Our Past to Our Future

The Midwest railroad network connected almost every major city by 1860, accounting for 36% of the United States (U.S.) railroad network mileage. Indiana became famous for the first Union Station in the world, as well as for one of the most developed and luxurious interurban rail system in the U.S. The twentieth century drastically transformed the picture, endowing the country with well-developed and world class highway and aviation networks, but leaving Indiana with a limited passenger rail network.Today, the Hoosier State line, which operates between Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois, is in danger of elimination. As of October 2013, the State of Indiana, local communities, and Amtrak reached an agreement to support the Hoosier State line, an agreement recently extended through January 2015. Amtrak is hesitant to support the corridor, doubting its economic viability. In response, the Indiana Department of Transportation (DOT) was the first nationally to announce a Request for Proposals (1404s1) under the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act in order to obtain competitive bids for the operation of the Hoosier State line.Recent studies suggest that the improvement and enhancement of the Midwest regional rail system to allow higher speeds has the potential to significantly benefit the area. The route from Chicago to Cincinnati via Indianapolis is a strong candidate among the possible routes in the Midwest, and within the second tier nationwide. Studies also suggest that such an upgrade can return great user benefits, reduce travel times, and bring significant regional economic benefits supporting the creation of new permanent jobs in Indiana.This paper presents the chronicle of passenger rail transportation in the U.S., Midwest, and Indiana in particular, from the early 1830s to the recent attempts of the State of Indiana to sustain the Hoosier line. This paper also investigates the effect of the community’s support on Indiana’s passenger rail evolution, as well as the potential of “higher” speed rail in the state.Copyright

A Comprehensive Framework for Assessing Passenger Rail Services: A Case Study of the Hoosier State Line

The development of a nationwide commuter and high-speed rail (HSR) network has been suggested as a promising and “greener” passenger transport solution with the potential to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, given efficient planning that will ensure sufficient ridership and sustainable investment. It is anticipated that passenger rail growth will bring regional economic benefits as well as promote energy independence, transportation safety, and livable communities with improved accessibility and inter-connectivity.Much research has been conducted to identify the benefits and costs associated with the operation, maintenance, and improvement of passenger rail services. However, previous studies supporting investment in passenger rail have generally considered one evaluation factor at a time. Additionally, studies suggesting that investment in passenger rail is not cost-effective give more weight to quantifiable benefits and current conditions, and rarely consider changes in public preferences influenced by policies and fostered conditions to encourage mode shifts. Thus, the literature lacks a comprehensive approach that would evaluate investments in passenger rail, accounting for quantifiable and other benefits, in light of environmental, resilience and sustainability, economic, demand, and feasibility factors.Using a case study of the Hoosier State line, this study illustrates a systems approach for comprehensively assessing passenger rail services in the United States in terms of the system’s existing opportunities and future directions. The Hoosier State line operates four days per week between Indianapolis, Indiana and Chicago, Illinois with four intermediate stops. As of October 1, 2013, the State of Indiana, local communities, and Amtrak reached an agreement to support the Hoosier State line for the next fiscal year (2013–2014).Copyright