Studies & Reports
2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan
Description
The 2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan (VSRP) provides long-term guidance for Virginia’s transportation leadership to ensure that the Commonwealth’s rail needs for people, communities, and commerce are addressed, policies for future rail investments are consistent, the public is educated on current rail issues, and that rail transportation continues to be a safe, economical, and environmentally friendly mode choice. DRPT develops an updated VSRP every four years per Federal Railroad Administration guidance and in alignment with goals and objectives of VTrans, the Commonwealth’s multimodal transportation plan.
The Final 2022 Virginia Statewide Rail Plan is available!
Process
Starting in 2021, DRPT conducted a robust public involvement campaign that included three rounds of virtual public meetings, three surveys, and eight presentations to the Commonwealth Transportation Board’s Rail and Transit Subcommittee.
Click here to review the Draft Statewide Rail Plan Virtual Meeting Presentation from September 27, 2022.
Outcome
Virginia's rail network is a valuable asset for the Commonwealth. It provides an efficient means of moving freight and passengers both within and through the state. By diverting freight and passenger traffic from road to rail, Virginia's rail network relieves congestion, saves lives, improves air quality, helps grow the economy, and complements the Virginia highway network while reducing capital and maintenance expenditures.
The 2022 VSRP is fully digital, and was developed using ArcGIS StoryMaps, web-based application that displays narrative text complimented by interactive maps that allow the reader to explore data at multiple scales to see the big picture and focus on details for their particular area of interest.
This format provides the advantage of showing the rail plan with maps and data that are easy to navigate, rather than merely stating the rail plan in a static volume.
The 2022 VSRP is designed to work similarly to a website with chapters linked on a central landing page. The reader can navigate sections seamlessly using the global navigation in the header. Subsections are hyperlinked in each chapter.
