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Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail: The Grandfather Clock Effect of Stakeholders
Alex Jackson
Media Relations Manager Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail
It is not easy changing the way the United States of America thinks of mass transit, but Northeast Maglev is trying to do just that. Northeast Maglev, a private U.S. company with offices in Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, D.C., is committed to addressing the Northeast Corridor’s transportation challenges by introducing the technology of the world’s safest and fastest train – the Superconducting Maglev (SCMAGLEV). The company’s goal is to build a train that would offer service from Washington, D.C. to New York in one hour, connecting major airports and cities like Philadelphia and Wilmington in between. To start, it has proposed a first leg that would take passengers from Washington D.C. to Baltimore in just 15 minutes.
The first leg alone would be one of the most significant civil works projects the region has overseen. An economic impact study determined that the construction of the SCMAGLEV train from Washington, D.C. to Baltimore will generate hundreds of millions of dollars annually in economic activity and create tens of thousands of jobs in Maryland, in fields like construction, engineering, maintenance, operations and facilities management.
Currently, The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Maryland Department of Transportation-Maryland Transit Administration (MDOT-MTA) are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the potential impacts of constructing and operating a high-speed superconducting magnetic levitation (SCMAGLEV) system between D.C. and Baltimore with an intermediate stop at BWI Airport. At this stage, the EIS has narrowed its examination to two routes located on either side of Interstate 295 and a “no build” option.
While the project’s future ultimately depends on the selection of one of two remaining routes under consideration, what remains clear is the fact that America must look to high-speed rail as a solution for the population and congestion that threaten the nation’s economy and its environment. A high-speed transportation system like SCMAGLEV, that provides reliable, efficient, and cost-effective movement of passengers, is critical to attract new businesses to the region and support continued economic growth.
Need for Speed
The fastest operating train in America currently is Amtrak’s Acela, which averages around 85 miles per hour and tops out at 150 miles per hour. The SCMAGLEV system proposed by Northeast Maglev, which is currently in operation in Japan, whisks passengers to and from their destination at speeds of 311 miles per hour.
While high-speed trains are the norm across Europe and Asia, they do not exist in America. Several companies are in the process of attempting to build faster trains around the country, with projects active in Florida, Texas and California. But Northeast Maglev’s proposal is the fastest and for the most congested region in the country. to 1 out of 5 of all US jobs, according to the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission — all on a land area that represents just 2 percent of the United States (NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION, 2013) .
In the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure Master Plan, Amtrak and the eight commuter railroads found that with slightly over $50 billion of investments in modernizing existing infrastructure and increasing capacity, intercity ridership could increase by 76 percent and commuter ridership by 58 percent by 2030. That same study, however, also concluded that the rail system would still be operating at capacity in 2030 even with those improvements. These challenges are intensified when considering the Northeast Corridor’s residential population is expected to grow by 12 million by 2040 (NORTHEAST CORRIDOR INFRASTRUCTURE AND OPERATIONS ADVISORY COMMISSION, 2013).
Northeast Maglev’s message is simple -- If we do not bring advanced transportation technology and new ways of thinking about transportation to the corridor--delays will only become worse. Worse yet, the effects of doing nothing will be felt in ways far more damaging than increased commute times.
SCMAGLEV technology offers major benefits to the environment. By reducing auto and air trips, the SCMAGLEV will reduce air and noise pollution and provide a host of additional environmental benefits. The technology is entirely electric, and the use of superconducting magnets allows the SCMAGLEV to achieve tremendous emission savings compared to automobiles and planes.
As climate change continues to threaten the earth, it is critical that the United States acts as a leader for change by adopting greener modes of transportation.
Stakeholder Engagement: Building the Future Together
The management of stakeholder relationships is critical in the coming phases of the project life cycle. To deliver the SCMAGLEV to the Northeast Corridor, the Northeast Maglev project management team is continuously working to engage members of the local community about the project.
Informing the public of the project’s countless benefits, such as its potential to deliver tens of thousands of jobs to the region over the life of the project, is critical. But most importantly, the Northeast Maglev project
management team is committed to seeking feedback from stakeholders across the region and maintaining an open dialogue as the company works to bring a new ultra-fast transportation mode to the Baltimore-Washington region, and ultimately all the way from Washington, D.C., to New York City.
As the project management team meets with homeowners, faith groups and local businesses across the region, it has had the opportunity to clear up common misconceptions about the project. It also has the invaluable opportunity to learn more about the challenges facing communities, and partner with them to provide solutions.
While the company is just in the early phases of the project, it has announced support from likeminded organizations that seek to maximize the benefits associated with bringing a high-speed train to the region.
In 2017, The Northeast Maglev announced a partnership with the North American Building Trades Unions (NABTU) as a stakeholder to utilize its skilled labor and develop new opportunities for training and skill development. Building on its commitment to facilitate future SCMAGLEV construction jobs for local residents, The Northeast Maglev also announced the endorsement of the Greater Baltimore Urban League in 2018 and the Maryland State Conference NAACP earlier this year (as well as its individual local branches of Prince George’s, Anne Arundel, and Baltimore Counties, and Baltimore City).
Meanwhile, the Northeast Maglev team is working diligently to provide the engineering resources necessary for public agencies to prepare the EIS in compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA). The process includes the participation of more than 30 federal, state and local agencies.
A draft EIS is scheduled to be published by early 2020 and will be followed by public meetings to allow for additional public input. A final EIS is expected to be complete by early 2021, along with a record of decision. Construction could begin shortly thereafter.
The Northeast Maglev team is well aware it cannot change the way mass transit is viewed in America by itself. However, by engaging stakeholders early in the process and continuing a dialogue throughout the development of the SCMAGLEV project, Northeast Maglev hopes to maximize its benefits and provide a meaningful impact to the communities it is affecting. .”
References:
https://www.census.gov/popclock/data_tables.php?component=growth http://nec-commission.com/mwg-internal/de5fs23hu73ds/ progress?id=pQtChwPmTn-2PKwTlahLUilu0QTIHqOm-UnVdHrW8d4 Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission (2013). Written Testimony of James P. Redeker On behalf of the Northeast Corridor Infrastructure and Operations Advisory Commission Before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Hearing “The Future of Passenger Rail: What’s Next for the Northeast Corridor?” April 17, 2018 Testimony. Retrieved from: http://nec-commission.com/app/ uploads/2018/04/JPR-Senate-Commerce-Written-Testimony_2013-04-17.pdf
