December 5, 2022 - TRA Newswire -

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Rail Division has commissioned Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI) to research the economic impact of short line railroads in Texas.

They have requested support of the Texas Short Line and Regional Railroad Association for this initiative and seek to interview  railroad members to collect input and data, including ownership, contacts, equipment, staffing, mapping, and multimodal infrastructure. There are 55 short line railroad operators in Texas. 

TTI has a long-standing relationship with the Rail Division supporting rail research projects which ultimately help shape important items like the Texas Rail Plan. 

In a letter to its members, TSLRRA President Paul Treangen said that the organization "has been working to overcome historic roadblocks to the inclusion of short line railroads in state transportation plans. This project presents us with a critical opportunity to improve access to future funding, grants, and legislation. It is in our interests to engage and communicate the important role and significant economic impact of short line railroads in Texas to our state DOT and legislature."

TTI Research Scientist Tony Moritz will be contacting each short line railroad in the state within the next two months via phone and email regarding the request for data. Non-TSLRRA members within Texas should contact Moritz directly. 

(t-moritz@tti.tamu.edu or (979) 317-2566).

Photo credit: TS:RRA