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<br /> <br /> <br />The increase in coal transportation has also had an adverse impact <br />on community transportation. This is particularly noticeable in <br />western States due to the rapidly expanding western coal field <br />operations. Some communities are frequently severed by long coal <br />trains, causing long delays to highway travel at public rail-highway <br />grade crossings and often disrupting essential public. services. <br />Coal train impacts are not limited to a specific geographic area but <br />can be expected to occur along any coal haul route. Examples of <br />such communities include Moorhead and Shakopee, Minnesota, and <br />Allentown, Pennsylvania. The Committee intends that funds under <br />this section be utilized for projects in these communities. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />This section provides funds to the states for transportation <br />projects to reduce or eliminate adverse energy-related impacts on <br />both road and rail systems. Special emphasis has been given to <br />low-cost system management improvements which in appropriate <br />instances may significantly reduce adverse impacts. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />The Secretary is authorized to approve projects which will reduce or <br />eliminate adverse impacts in communities along rail corridors <br />transporting energy materials. However, it is the intent of this <br />Committee that low-cost system management improvements be consider- <br />ed first in the alleviation of these problems, before higher cost <br />improvements (such as grade separation or rail relocation) ar~ <br />implemented. In no case can a project involve the relocation of a <br />rail line unless the Secretary determines that the cost of reloca- <br />tion is less than the cost of relocating the highway (if feasible) <br />or the construction of a grade crossing separation. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Low-cost system management improvements include land use planning <br />aimed at minimizing the adverse impact of unit trains, vehicle <br />rerouting to avoid crossings, staggered work hours to help reduce <br />rush hour tie-ups, and providing more information to citizens about <br />train schedules to help them avoid train-related delays. Other <br />techniques involve better coordination with the railroad operators, <br />including rail rerouting over existing alternative routes, wherever <br />possible, direct community communications with oncoming trains, <br />better scheduling of trains to avoid peak driving periods, in- <br />creased train speed in certain areas, and enforcement of existing <br />'time and speed requirements. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />RAIL STUDY NEWSLETTER/P;.5 <br />