Rail: Rail Station Planning

Primary Guidance

• Locations should be evaluated based on meeting specific criteria.
• Usually placed at major transfer points and major passenger generators.
• The minimum distance between Rail Stations will vary according to land use and population/employment generators.

Discussion

Provision of Rail Stations requires additional capital and operating costs for each station as well as increased travel time for patrons. The planning of Rail Stations should consider the following factors to determine if a station is warranted.

Rail Station Locations

A Rail Station location should be evaluated for the following criteria:

• Improves service quality and reliability
• Strengthens intermodal connections

Aligns with existing or emerging employment, education and other community related services

• Achieves ADA accessibility between the services point and the passenger destinations/generators

Rail Station Spacing and Positioning

Close spacing of Rail Stations shortens walk distance for passengers but increases transit trip time due to more stops and starts by the trains. Rail Stations are usually placed at major transfer points and major passenger generators. Closer Rail Station spacing (1/2 mile or less) is appropriate where adjacent land uses and population/employment densities warrant. For new stations on either existing or new alignments, station spacing and positioning shall be optimized to minimize travel time between point of origin and destination and attract ridership.