Comparison of Passenger Rail Energy Consumption with Competing Modes

NCRRP Report 3: Comparison of Passenger Rail Energy Consumption with Competing Modes provides a comprehensive model that allows the user to compare the energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of intercity and commuter passenger rail with those of competing travel modes along a designated travel corridor. This report summarizes the research used to develop the model and presents a set of case study applications. A Technical Document and User Guide for the Multi-Modal Passenger Simulation Model (MMPASSIM) and the spreadsheet tool for using and customizing the model are provided as a CD attached to this report. The Technical Document and User Guide also are available online as NCRRP Web Only Document 1

Document and User Guide for the Multi-Modal Passenger Simulation Model for Comparing Passenger Rail Energy Consumption with Competing Modes

The objective of NCRRP Project 02-01, “Comparison of Passenger Rail Energy Consumption with Competing Modes,” is to provide like-for-like comparisons of energy consumption and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of commuter and intercity passenger rail operations with competing modes of travel. In the context of this research, “passenger rail” includes higher speed, high speed, intercity, and commuter rail operations - those rail systems that are operated under the jurisdiction of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). “Competing modes of travel” include passenger automobiles, light-duty trucks used for personal transportation, suburban commuter bus services, intercity bus services, and air transportation