1. What is the Regional Rail Transit System?
The Regional Rail Transit System will connect Durham, Research Triangle Park (RTP), Cary and Raleigh. (System Map) The system will operate primarily on new tracks that will be constructed within the existing railroad rights-of-way using self-propelled diesel powered rail cars. Twelve rail stations will link three downtowns, three universities, the Research Triangle Park and other destination points. The rail stations will be served by local, regional and university bus systems, with shuttles connecting passengers to RDU Airport and within RTP.

2. Why does the Triangle need a rail system?
New residents are constantly moving to the Triangle, whether for work, school, or simply the pleasant quality of life found in the region. From 1990 to 2000, the population of the three-county area (Durham, Orange, and Wake counties) increased almost 39%, and the North Carolina Office of State Management and Budget anticipates a total 74% increase in the three county region between 2000 and 2030. As more people move into the region transportation alternatives must be considered. Highway construction cannot keep pace with the high population growth even with the capacity-increasing projects currently underway in the region. Furthermore, the quality of the natural environment – air, water, and open space – will deteriorate if trhe region continues to depend solely on cars for transportation. A rail system within the Triangle can provide a viable transportation alternative for residents. Some of the benefits of the Regional Rail Transit System include:

• high-quality, time-competitive and reliable regional transit service;
  improved capacity, connectivity and mobility options to accommodate future growth in the region;
  
• support of efforts in the Triangle region to encourage more compact forms of development around transit stations;
  
• increase in the quantity and usage of transit service in the region's most congested travel corridors;
  
• providing a travel choice in the region that is less stressful and less costly than driving a private automobile and provides time for reading, working or relaxing during the trip.

Additionally the money generated from construction and development around the stations will improve the economic vitality and livability of the region. A similar system with park-and-ride lots, the Dallas Area Rapid Transit’s (DART) 20-mile, $860 million light rail system has generated $922 million in private development. A study conducted by the University of North Texas’ Center for Economic Development and Research shows that values of properties adjoining DART stations are 25% higher than for similar properties not served by the rail system.

An economic and market study of the Triangle region by Basile Baumann Prost Associates shows transit-oriented development around the TTA rail stations has the potential to generate:

• $46 million in non-recurring tax revenue in 2002 dollars
  
• $2.1 billion in economic impact from station area development construction
  
• $399 million in new material purchases in the region
  
• 9,900 new construction-related jobs
  
• $229 million in annual tax revenues after construction
  
• 46,600 new jobs (direct and indirect) after construction

(The results of this study included three future stations in North Raleigh and proposed station at Duke)

3. How will the Regional Rail Transit System be funded?
The Regional Rail Transit System will be built with up to 60% federal funds and the rest will come from state and local funding. The local funding is provided through a 5% tax levied on rental vehicles in Durham, Orange and Wake counties. In April 2003, the Secretary of the North Carolina Department of Transportation signed a state Full Funding Grant Agreement that commits (subject to annual appropriations) the state's 20% share of project funding. TTA expects to execute a Federal Full Funding Grant Agreement (FFGA) with the Federal Transit Administration that will commit (subject to annual appropriations) the federal funds for the project.

4. Why aren’t we spending our money on other transportation improvements, like widening the roads to accommodate more cars?
Funding for the Regional Rail Transit System is coming from a combination of federal transit funds, state funds, and a local share - the 5% tax on rental vehicles in the three counties is levied specifically for the purpose of funding transit. North Carolina currently gets back less than 50 cents for transit on each gasoline tax dollar sent to Washington, D.C. The federal grant will bring more federal dollars for transit to the state and to the Triangle region. These federal dollars are funds specifically designated for fixed guideway projects, such as rail, that previously have gone to other states. These funds are not available for roadway projects.

5. When will construction begin? When will the trains be in service?
Construction is expected to begin in 2005/2006. The train service is expected to begin in 2008, running from 9th Street in Durham to the Government Center station in Raleigh. Future extensions of the system include additional stations at the Duke Medical Center station and three North Raleigh stations - Highwoods, New Hope Church Road and Spring Forest.

6. Where will the train tracks be located?
TTA rail transit will run in the existing North Carolina Railroad and CSX rights-of-way on two new, exclusive tracks located adjacent to the existing railroad tracks.

7. What are the locations of the stations and how were the locations determined?
The final locations for the stations were narrowed down from an original list of more than 50 potential sites. Each of the selected station locations was carefully studied with the goal of finding places that provide access to major destinations and also have the potential to support future growth at higher densities.

Local elected officials, city planners, engineers, business leaders, employers, neighborhood organizations, and environmental groups all participated in the station site selection process over a period of several years and through many public meetings. Input on station locations was gathered from stakeholders during public meetings in October 1998 and then again in October 2000.

The final decision on station locations was based on the findings from the environmental review process, comments from stakeholder meetings, information from the local governments and input received during the formal environmental review process. Based on comments received during the environmental process several additional station and trackwork studies were conducted.

The selected 12 station locations to open in 2008 are:

Site                                                                     Street Location
Ninth Street, Durham                                            Erwin Rd., 9th St. & Main St.
Downtown Durham                                               Chapel Hill St. & Duke St.
Alston Avenue/NCCU, Durham                               Alston Ave. & Pettigrew St.
North RTP                                                            South Miami Blvd. & IBM Access Rd.
Triangle Metro Center                                           NC Hwy. 54 & S. Miami Blvd.
Northwest Cary                                                    Towerview Ct. off James Jackson
Downtown Cary                                                    Harrison Ave. & Academy at RR
West Raleigh                                                        NC Hwy. 54 & Corporate Center Dr.
State Fairgrounds                                                 Hillsborough St. & Blue Ridge Rd.
NCSU                                                                  Dunn Ave. at Reynolds Coliseum
Downtown Raleigh                                                Hargett St. & West St.
Government Center                                              Near Lane St. & Harrington St.

Station locations identified for future expansion are:

Site                                                                     Street Location
Duke Medical Center                                             Fulton St. 7 & Elba St.
Highwoods                                                           Wolfpack Ln. near Atlantic Ave.

New Hope Church Road                                         near Atlantic Ave.
Spring Forest                                                        near Spring Forest Shopping Center


8. Does the Triangle area have the population to support a rail system?
Yes, the Raleigh-Durham Metropolitan area grew 39% from 1990 to 2000 to a population of 1.2 million, making it the sixth fastest growing metropolitan area in the US over the decade. And, according to the latest U.S. Census data, growth in the region is expected to continue, with a projected increase in population of 110% between 1995 and 2025. According to the Research Triangle Foundation, the Research Triangle Park employed 38,500 people in 2002. Employment in the RTP is expected to exceed 58,000 within one mile of the rail corridor by 2025. Approximately 25,000 people work for Duke University and its medical center. Data from the Downtown Raleigh Alliance shows that 27,000 people work in downtown Raleigh. These numbers show that the Triangle has the population to support the rail system.

9. Will the station bring more density to my neighborhood?
Area residents should expect some infill development to occur where vacant land, abandoned buildings, or underutilized properties exist. Developing these types of properties in areas surrounding rail stations tends to enhance land values throughout the communities in which the stations are located and also creates a more aesthetically-pleasing atmosphere. Making land use planning a vital component of transit planning can help to create more livable environments, conserve land and other resources, and limit automobile dependence. It is anticipated that density will increase in the station areas, in some more than others. Existing land uses will be protected by the density restrictions of the various municipalities.  A component of the station location criteria was whether a site could support additional, higher-density development consistent with local government objectives. The benefits of the rail system will be more fully realized when the stations are surrounded by compact residential, retail, and commercial development and pedestrians have a safe walking environment with convenient access to transit. With this sort of compact, transit-supportive development, ridership will increase and the economic benefits of the transit system will become evident. In addition, quality rail transit has been proven to enhance the value of land surrounding the stations.

10. How will riders use the trains? How will the trains be scheduled?
Other than the NCSU and Government Center stations, all stations will have park-and-ride lots. All stations will have bus passenger drop-off and “kiss-and-ride” areas for persons being dropped off by private vehicles. Initially, trains will run every 15 minutes in peak travel hours and every 30 minutes in off-peak hours. Service will run from 6 a.m. until midnight. Local transit buses and TTA shuttles and buses will meet passengers at the stations, providing access to locations beyond the stations. In 2015 TTA plans for trains to run every 10 minutes in peak hours and every 20 minutes during off-peak hours and weekends. It is estimated that approximately 22,000 trips will be made each day by 2025.

11. How much will it cost to ride the train? Will I be able to transfer between TTA and other systems without paying another fare?
The regional rail transit stations will be barrier free (no ticket gates), with on-board ticket inspections. Ticket vending machines will be located at the stations where single or multiple tickets may be purchased. The TTA Board of Trustees has not made a decision on the fare structure for the Regional Rail Transit System. TTA and the local bus systems are working collaboratively to integrate regional fares so that passengers can make seamless transfers from one system to the other.

12. How will bus connections be made?
TTA buses and shuttles, as well as local buses, will meet passengers at rail stations to provide seamless regional service to destinations beyond the immediate station area. TTA and the local and university transit systems have been working together to ensure a seamless transit trip for customers.

13. Can I take my bicycle on the trains?
Yes. TTA will accommodate bicycles. The hours during which bicycles on trains are permitted may be limited depending on the volume of passengers during the peak hours of travel. Rail stations and rail vehicles will be equipped with bicycle racks.

14. What are the physical characteristics of the trains?
The trains selected by TTA are Diesel Multiple Units (DMUs); diesel-powered, self-propelled rail vehicles. (Click here to see images of the proposed TTA vehicles). The DMUs are bi-directional, and come as “married pairs” - two-car units. Trains can be linked to create a maximum service train length of four cars (two married pairs) if a higher passenger capacity is needed during peak hours or special events. A married pair will be approximately 170 feet long, 10 feet wide and 15 feet high. The trains can carry up to 200 passengers (including standees) per car. The air-conditioned vehicles will have accommodations for wheelchairs and bicycles. Four large doors on each side of the married pair will allow safe and easy boarding from a level platform.

Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) technology was selected for the Regional Rail Transit System because it has several advantages. The technology is cost-effective. Diesel powered rail vehicles are self-propelled and therefore independent from an outside power source, eliminating the need for expensive electrification of the rail corridor through electric power lines (catenary) and substations. This independence from electric power allows the system to operate during power outages caused by severe weather. The vehicles generally will operate at a maximum speed of 65 miles per hour based on track design, but have the potential of reaching higher speeds. Because the rail vehicles will meet Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) requirements, TTA is able to operate close to existing freight and intercity rail services. Sharing this existing rail corridor eliminates the need to purchase large numbers of properties to create a new corridor, saving millions of dollars and reducing environmental impacts.

15. How will the trains affect traffic congestion?
Some reduction in the current levels of traffic congestion will occur, but as more people move into the area, highway congestion will continue to increase. This can be managed, in part, through mass transit options. The Regional Rail Transit System will provide a viable alternative to driving in the region. As more persons use public transportation, fewer will rely solely on their personal vehicles. Congestion can be reduced by taking cars off the road and preventing the ones that are on the roads from idling in stopped traffic. Each rail car can hold up to 200 people (with standees), and road construction, accidents, slow-moving traffic, blackouts or adverse weather conditions will not delay the trains. Transit offers a consistent, reliable on-time alternative to driving in traffic, and allows people to make better use of their time by reading, working, or just relaxing on their ride.

16. Will intersections at train crossings become more congested?
Intersections will experience some congestion when the trains pass. The wait time for a train to pass is about 45-60 seconds a cycle, which typically will have less impact on drivers than adding a new traffic light. TTA is planning to improve the level of service of many intersections by adding right turn lanes, additional “through” lanes and/or left turn lanes as described in the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS).

17. Will construction impacts of the project disrupt traffic or cause other negative impacts?
Some temporary disruptions to normal traffic patterns will occur during construction. Lanes may shift, business entrances may be moved, parking may be temporarily lost and noise will be generated – these are some of the issues that TTA must consider as the tracks and stations are being built. TTA is working with the municipalities, local business owners and residents, and NCDOT to ensure that these and other impacts will be minimized to the extent possible. Details of the mitigation plans are still being developed and will vary according to the needs of each area. Many of the mitigation efforts are set and will be included in the final design phase. Details of the mitigation efforts to date can be found in the FTA “Record of Decision.” (For information regarding this, contact Garold Smith, Community Relations Manager at 919-485-7419 or at gsmith@rideTTA.org)

18. How will TTA minimize rail noise in residential areas?
Noise barriers will be constructed where necessary to reduce wheel/rail noise. TTA will pursue, with area municipalities, the designation of “quiet zones” where train horn use will be eliminated except in case of an emergency. If “quiet zones” are not permitted TTA will pursue using wayside horns to reduce noise. Wayside horns are stationary horns located at the at-grade (rail and road) crossings as opposed to being on the train. The horn is sounded, as the train approaches the intersection, at a lower level than that of the horns mounted on trains. Wayside horns also reduce the area affected by horn noise.

19. What will TTA do to replace the trees and other vegetation that will be removed during construction?
Context-sensitive design (CSD) will be used to provide better integration of the rail system structures into the existing environment. CSD includes using construction materials that are compatible with the surrounding environment, adding plantings at stations and along the tracks, and requiring architects and builders to adhere to the TTA station area design guidelines. In areas where there is a “moderate change” in views from adjoining neighborhoods, and where sufficient right-of-way exists, vegetative screens will be planted to soften the negative visual effects. Due to the nature and magnitude of the project, it will not be possible to replace all lost vegetation, but TTA will replace trees and other vegetation where it is feasible to do so.

20. What will be done to replace the wetlands that will be lost to construction?
Throughout the entire Regional Rail Transit System only 1.5 acres of wetlands will be impacted. TTA will pay into the North Carolina Wetlands Restoration Program to mitigate stream and wetland impacts. If the payment does not satisfy mitigation requirements, TTA will explore the possibility of buying credits from private mitigation banks or providing on-site mitigation.

21. Will regional air quality improve by people taking the train?
As mass transit becomes more available in the region and as transit ridership grows, air quality may be improved by providing transportation alternatives. Currently there are no alternative fuels, such as natural gas, that easily can be used in rail cars. The DMUs will use clean-burning diesel engines that meet future EPA standards. New technologies in recent years have made DMUs very efficient. However, as more rides are shared - whether by bus, carpool, vanpool or rail - air quality will be impacted less negatively by the remaining single-occupancy vehicles on the roads.

22. How will the RDU Airport be connected to the rail system?
A recent study conducted by TTA and RDU concluded that it would not be cost effective to initially provide a rail link to the airport. There is no existing rail corridor to the airport and establishing a dedicated corridor would be costly and have significant environmental effects. TTA will provide convenient bus connections from several rail stations. TTA currently provides bus service to the airport and continues to look for ways to improve this service to make it more attractive to airport employees and visitors. (Click here for more information on existing TTA airport service). Once the initial rail system is operational, and has greater passenger demand potential, TTA and the airport will reassess the feasibility of a fixed guideway link to the airport.

23. Will some people actually be able to “give up” their cars during their weekly commute or for a local weekend trip?
Yes, riders will be able to replace their cars with transit; for others the rail system will make up part of their trip. Many cities that recently developed rail systems found actual ridership exceeded the initial forecasts. Those who choose to ride the train will be free of the worries, stress and frustration of driving on congested roadways; the wear and tear and gasoline purchases for their personal automobiles also will be reduced. These benefits, along with reduced commuting time, the reliability of service, increased mobility, and greater modal choice, will encourage people to take the train whenever possible.

24. How can I reach TTA?
You can call 919-549-9999, visit the web site at www.rideTTA.org, or write:

Triangle Transit Authority
Attn: Brad Schulz, Communications & Public Affairs

P.O. Box 13787
Research Triangle Park, NC 27709