the Housatonic Railroad line in Berkshire County; restored passenger rail service between Pi sfield and New York City; provide sta on design and

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1 Project background, purpose and scope PROJECT BACKGROUND The Housatonic Railroad Company (HRRC) has proposed re-establishing passenger rail service between Danbury, Connec cut and Pi sfield, Massachuse s on the former Berkshire line. Passenger rail service between these two loca ons last operated in The HRRC proposal would once again make it possible for a passenger boarding the train at Grand Central Sta on in New York City to reach Pi sfield in approximately four hours and vice versa. For the HRRC proposal to become a reality, a significant capital investment in Massachuse s, Connec cut and New York will need to be made to upgrade the rail infrastructure along the Berkshire line. Massachuse s has made an ini al commitment to the project by entering into an agreement to acquire the Berkshire line from HRRC and commi ng $35 million to upgrade the rail infrastructure. An ideal passenger rail sta on will meet the needs of the community, the needs of the region and the opera onal needs of the proposed passenger rail service. The Passenger Rail Sta on Loca on & Design Analysis is the product of work conducted by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission and HRRC to iden fy the most feasible and advantageous loca ons for passenger rail sta ons along the Berkshire Line, and to develop recommenda ons for the passenger rail sta on design, facili es and ameni es; evalua on and refining the preliminary railroad opera ons analysis; and assessing the poten al economic, environmental, land use and community benefits and impacts of the proposed passenger rail service and recommended passenger rail sta on loca ons. Funding for this study was provided through a Transporta on, Community and Systems Preserva on Grant awarded to BRPC by the U.S. Department of Transporta on and administered by MassDOT. I. INTRODUCTION PURPOSE To iden fy suitable passenger rail sta ons along the Housatonic Railroad line in Berkshire County; to iden fy poten al benefits and impacts of restored passenger rail service between Pi sfield and New York City; provide sta on design and service recommenda ons. SCOPE The project was divided into four broad components: 1. Sta on Loca on Analysis 2. Environmental Analysis 3. Ridership and Service Plan 4. An cipated Benefits and Impacts REPORT The report is divided into ten chapters: 1. Introduc on 2. Study Area Descrip ons 3. Exis ng Corridor Condi ons 4. Sta on Loca on Analysis 5. Environmental Analysis 6. Sta on Facility Design 7. Sta on Area Plans 8. Ridership Forecas ng 9. Corridor-Wide Impacts 10. Public Par cipa on 11. Considera ons PROPOSED PASSENGER SERVICE ROUTE The proposed passenger rail route would connect passengers between Pi sfield and New York City. It would connect in Danbury, CT or Southeast, NY.

2 The Berkshire Line, Berkshire County, Berkshire Line Communi es II. STUDY AREA DESCRIPTIONS BERKSHIRE COUNTY THE BERKSHIRE LINE The most western county in Massachuse s, Berkshire County stretches from the Connec cut border to the Vermont border. Home to an es mated 129,585 people, the county is largely rural with popula on density concentrated to municipal centers such as Pi sfield, North Adams, and Great Barrington. The Berkshire Line stretches 86 miles between Danbury, CT and Pi sfield, MA. The Massachuse s sec on of line is 38 miles long, stretching between Sheffield and Pi sfield. The line is single-track, and ran passenger rail service up un l Currently it runs freight service. The Berkshire Line travels from the Connec cut line in Sheffield, closely following the Housatonic River s meander. It terminates in Pi sfield, a community of ~70,000 residents. The line stops in vibrant, densely se led downtowns, passing through rural stretches of wetlands and floodplains before arriving in the busy commercial downtown of Pi sfield. BERKSHIRE LINE COMMUNITIES 1. Pi sfield: The most populous community in Berkshire county. The right of way passes through south to north through suburban residen al areas and it ends immediately south of the Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transporta on Center at a junc on with right of way owned by CSX. 2. Lenox: The right of way runs south to north through the town passing a small village, Lenox Dale. The right of way does not pass through the more developed mixed use downtown area. A significant por on of the right of way passes through wetlands associated with the Housatonic River. 3. Lee: The right of way passes west to east in the southern part of Lee then runs in the southern part of Lee then runs northerly through the downtown area. Lee s downtown area is mixed use commercial residen al area with numerous restaurants, retail establishments, and places of accommoda on. The right of way passes through several vacant and underu lized mill complexes located in the northern sec on of town. 4. Stockbridge: The right of way passes mostly west to east through the Glendale sec on of town and then just south of the center of Stockbridge. The center of Stockbridge is a small mixed use town center with a number of restaurants, retail establishments and place of accommoda on. 5. Great Barrington: The right of way passes south to north following Route 7 and then Route 41. The right of way passes through the densely developed downtown center of Great Barrington and further north through Housatonic village. Downtown Great Barrington is a vibrant mixed use downtown center with a popular cultural a rac on, restaurants and places of accommoda on. Housatonic is a village with underu lized and vacant mill buildings presen ng unique redevelopment opportuni es. Great Barrington is the primary commercial center for the southern Berkshires. 6. Sheffield: The right of way passes south to north parallel to Route 7 spli ng the town nearly down the middle. The right of way passes through the rural village of Ashley Falls and through the center of Sheffield. Both Ashley Falls and Sheffield Center are not densely developed. There are a number of at-grade crossings in the town. BERKSHIRE LINE COMMUNITIES Of the six Berkshire Line communi es, four have been recommended as sites for ini al passenger rail sta ons.

3 Exis ng Condi ons and An cipated Track and Infrastructure Upgrades III. EXISTING CORRIDOR CONDITIONS EXISTING CONDITIONS TRACK & INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES The en re Berkshire Line is owned or controlled by the Housatonic Railroad pending acquisi on by MassDOT. Prior to their ownership, the line had been abandoned by the bankrupt Penn Central System in the early 1970s. This le the rail unused and unmaintained for many years. The rail itself is very old, and has since received maintenance and investment in property, tracks and facili es from HRRC. The Berkshire Line is maintained to carry rail cars with gross weights of 286,000 pounds, as well as high and wide loads. Most other lines in Massachuse s are limited to 263,000 pounds. All other lines in Connec cut are limited to 263,000 pounds. The line is strategically important: it provides access for occasional over-sized loads such as transformers, and permits customers to benefit from heavier payloads reducing their cost per ton of material for shipments. The railroad serves twenty (20) cosignees in Massachuse s and Connec cut, some of whom are the largest employers and property tax payers in the region. The Berkshire Line consists of 107 pound, 112 pound and 136 pound rail. While the 112 pound rail remains serviceable, it will need to be replaced to efficiently and safely accommodate higher speed passenger trains. The rail infrastructure along the Berkshire Line needs total replacement. All of the nearly century old exis ng jointed rail and es need to be replaced with new res and welded rail. The at-grade public crossings require upgrades and a signal system before passenger rail can operate. Exis ng passenger rail sta ons need to be retrofi ed or newly built. The es mated total cost of the rail infrastructure improvements in both Connec cut and Massachuse s exceeds $200 million dollars. EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE SERVES FREIGHT The physical track itself did not receive requisite maintenance between 1971 and the 1980s; and the track itself is very old. To enhance freight capacity, and enable passenger rail service, physical improvements are necessary.

4 Methodology, Analysis, Results IV. STATION LOCATION ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY ANALYSIS BRPC developed a mul - er analysis to develop an ArcGIS model. This iden fied buildable land, environmental constraints, and features which made an area a desirable loca on for a passenger rail sta on. BRPC developed three sets of criteria to determine if a loca on would meet opera onal, local and regional needs. OPERATIONAL: Sta ons should be located within 10 miles of each other to promote trip efficiency. LOCAL: Maximize economic impacts by suppor ng exis ng businesses and downtown areas. Maximize access and connec vity to host community. Complement exis ng community development efforts. Fit with exis ng community character. Avoid adverse environmental impacts. REGIONAL: Sta on loca on at the northern terminus of corridor to serve northern Berkshire County. Sta ons located in or near most densely populated areas to serve greatest number of residents. Close proximity to one or more federal interstates and state numbered highways to improve connec vity. Easy access for riders to most frequented tourist a rac ons and accommoda ons. SITE SPECIFIC: 2-acre in size; smaller downtown areas could s ll be workable. At least 250 of frontage on tangent or nearly tangent track. Access to the area is feasible. Zero or one environmental constraints more suitable than two or more environmental constraints. En re Corridor: 4,445 acres Buildable Land: 1,885 acres Undevelopable: 2,560 acres Target areas: 28 Land with Environmental Constraints: 3,768 acres Land with 0 Environmental Constraints: 843 acres Recommended Site Loca ons: 4 RESULTS En re Corridor: Fatal Flaws Screening for Developable Land Buildable Land: Environmental Constraints Target Areas: Opera onal, Local and Regional Criteria Assessment Priority Target Areas: Site Specific Requirements FOUR RECOMMENDED LOCATIONS FROM 1,885 ACRES OF DEVELOPABLE LAND

5 V. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Environmental Analysis of Target Areas and Recommended Passenger Rail Sta on Loca ons METHODOLOGY & ANALYSIS RESULTS The Housatonic watershed through which the Berkshire Line passes is an area of great biodiversity, fragile ecosystems and home to a number of endangered, threatened and special concern species. Best prac ces for the construc on and maintenance of the passenger rail sta ons and right-of-way should be followed to avoid and minimize local environmental impacts. Environmental constraints in the corridor were iden fied in Tiers 1, 2 and 4 of the loca on analysis. In Tier 1, all wetland resource areas and land with a slope over 15% were excluded from considera on. In Tiers 2 and 4, five (5) constraints were iden fied: 1. River front Protec on Area/Wetland Buffer Year Floodplain Area 3. Area of Cri cal Environmental Concern 4. Habitat of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species 5. NHESP Housatonic Watershed Priority Conserva on Area The presence of an environmental constraint on a target area or passenger rail sta on loca on does not preclude it in considera on as a loca on for a passenger rail sta on, but indicates it could be subject to different regula ons and permi ng requirements, and indicates that addi onal measures should be taken to protect environmentally sensi ve areas. 1. Riverfront Protec on Area/Wetland Buffer: 1,651 acres Year Floodplain: 392 acres 3. Areas of Cri cal Environmental Concern (ACEC)(2): 382 acres 4. Habitat of Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Species: 1,203 acres 5. Priority Conserva on Areas (13): 140 acres 0 Environmental Constraints: 843 acres 1 Environmental Constraint: 531 acres 2 Environmental Constraints: 230 acres 3 Environmental Constraints: 201 acres 4 Environmental Constraints: 665 acres 5 Environmental Constraints: 16 acres Overall, the largest environmental constraint is Riverfront Protec on Area/Wetland Buffer with over 50% of the land within the target area iden fied as within this sensi ve environmental area. The total number of environmental constraints in each target areas served as the basis to determine the significance of environmental impacts in Tier 2 of the sta on loca on analysis. Land with fewer constraints was looked upon more favorably than that with more constraints. THE HOUSATONIC WATERSHED OFFERS SCENERY AS WELL AS ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AREAS The Berkshire line is in close proximity to the Housatonic River, making it a scenic route but also offering environmental constraints.

6 V. ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS Environmental Analysis of Target Areas and Recommended Passenger Rail Sta on Loca ons IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FEATURES The Berkshire Line closely follows the Housatonic River, beginning in Stockbridge northward. Its physical proximity to the river means that it cuts through sensi ve ecosystems that provide environmental and scenic benefit. The five environmental features iden fied and studied are iden fied and explained in this poster. Priority Conserva on Areas NHESP undertook a large natural community survey in the Housatonic Watershed. Area is considered a PCA due to the presence of endangered, threatened and special concern species and other unique and outstanding natural communi es not occurring elsewhere in the Commonwealth. 13 exist in the rail corridor. Area of Cri cal Environmental Concern Area of land designated as such because of the quality, uniqueness and significance of their natural and cultural resources. Habitat for Endangered, Threatened & Special Concern Species. Area with habitat important or cri cal to small popula ons of species by NHESP. 1,203 acres in the rail corridor. Wetland Resource Areas Wetlands serve as environmental kidneys. They help maintain water quality and help protect against flooding. They provide wildlife habitat. Steep Slope > 15% Steep slopes can be home to upland species. Development on these steep areas can cause erosion and drainage issues, and can also be more expensive. Riverfront Protec on Areas/Wetland Buffer As opposed to the wetland resource area itself, this iden fies the 100 wetland buffer area and 200 riverfront protec on area. They play an important role in protec ng water quality and providing wildlife habitat. 100 Year Flood Plain More prone to flooding, flood plains also offer important wildlife habitat, and, undeveloped, can help protect water quality and mi gate flood impacts and damage. Upper Housatonic River ACEC Schenob Brook Drainage Basin ACEC

7 Conceptual Designs and Ownership Considera ons VI. STATION FACILITY DESIGN

8 Conceptual Designs and Ownership Considera ons VI. STATION FACILITY DESIGN CONCEPTUAL DRAWINGS The conceptual drawings provide an example of what the sta on site and area could look like in the four recommended loca ons. They include the pla orm, shelter and parking. They are posted around the room. Joseph Scelsi Intermodal Transporta on Center in Pi sfield Westside Downtown Lee Scenario # 1 Railroad Street/Consola Way Municipal Site Westside Downtown Lee Scenario # 2 Central Railroad Street Site Great Barrington Historic Sta on Site Sheffield State Line Site The proposed passenger rail sta on in Pi sfield is envisioned as a regional sta on serving the city, its neighboring communi es and northern Berkshire County. The proposed passenger rail sta ons in Lee and Great Barrington are envisioned as local sta ons serving the towns and their neighboring communi es. Similar to Pi sfield, Sheffield is envisioned as a regional sta on serving the town, its neighboring communi es and northwestern Connec cut. OWNERSHIP CONSIDERATIONS BRPC researched ownership arrangements of passenger rail sta ons along Amtrak s Downeaster, MBTA s Cape Cod Flyer, and the Metro- North Line. It found that ownership arrangement varies between lines and communi es. Ownership can be municipal; by the railroad company, or by a regional en ty. In the absence of a private developer coming forward to finance and construct a passenger rail sta on, likely as a component of a larger development, all or some of the passenger rail sta ons on the Berkshire Line will need to be publically owned. Using the ownership scenarios of the Downeaster service as a guide, the public or non-profit en es that may have an interest in owning one more of the passenger rail sta ons are the BRTA, Mass DOT, 1 Berkshire (Berkshire Chamber of Commerce, Berkshire Visitor s Bureau) or the municipali es. Conversa ons with these en es about their interest and capacity to own a passenger rail sta on and what partnerships may need to be formed will need to occur as the proposed service con nues to develop and the loca ons of the passenger rail sta ons are finalized. STATION COSTS BRPC researched sta on costs along a number of ac ve lines, including Amtrak s Downeaster, the Vermonter, the Ethan Allen Express and Amtrak and Metro- North lines in Connec cut to iden fy poten al sta on construc on costs. Costs reflect the size and scope of a passenger rail sta on. A simple pla orm and shelter are less expensive than a sta on designed to also serve as the center of a mixed use development or intermodal center. All sta ons studied were funded with a mix of funding from the federal government, the state government, municipal funds and private funds. Sta on Construc on Cost Exeter, NH Newly constructed pla orm and shelter Wells, ME Train sta on as well as regional transporta on center serving intercity buses, carpools and local trolley. Brunswick, ME Brunswick Sta- on, a mixed-use development including a Visitors Center. There is one pla orm with a shelter canopy. Randolph, VT Renovated 1870s Depot Funding Sources Annual Ridership $354,000 U.S. DOT Conges- on Mi ga on and Air Quality Grant; Town of Exeter $1,400,000 Federal grant; state funds $5,200,000 EPA Brownfields Program, Economic Development Administra on, CDBG, Maine s Municipal Investment Trust Fund, municipal bonds, city cash for property acquisi on $250,000 Transporta on Enhancement funds from the Federal Transit Administra on; Town of Randolph Note 102,000 1 side pla orm, single track; Edge of Exeter s historic downtown. Concrete pla orm featuring a covered, open -air shelter to protect from inclement weather 52,000 Wells and its Chamber of Commerce sponsor the Transporta on Center wai ng area and restrooms. 30,000 Brunswick acquired the sta on site property, and had it assessed and remediated via EPA Brownfields funds. The Brunswick Sta on itself is a mixed-use development, which has a racted and leveraged private investment funds as well. 2,000

9 Study Areas, Key Findings, and Recommenda ons VI. STATION AREA PLANS INTRODUCTION TO STATION AREA PLANS PITTSFIELD LEE Context: Located on Columbus Avenue, and the proposed northern terminus for HRRC s passenger rail service. Already provides Amtrak service, as well as passenger bus service and regional transporta on service operated by the BRTA. Also home to the Pi sfield Visitors Center, in downtown Pi sfield, near a concentra on of retail and cultural opportunity. Vision: A busy area of arrivals and departures, with city, local businesses and property owners working together to beau fy the sta on area and make visitors feel welcome through clear signage and informa on. Challenges: Uncertain Market Demand for Real Estate Increased Traffic Could Impact Circula on Gateway or Transi on Areas Warrant Improvement Physical Connec ons to Peripheral Neighborhoods Need Enhancement Lack of Orienta on or Wayfinding Tools along McKay Street and Columbus Avenue Opportuni es: Sufficient Parking Capacity Sewer and Water Capacity for Addi onal Development Adequate Traffic Circula on Supports Ongoing Ini a ves and Planning Efforts Pi sfield is an Exci ng Place to Be Pi sfield is the Berkshires Central City Exis ng Intermodal Transporta on Connec ons Equity and Access Future Reuse of Vacant Spaces Present Unique Redevelopment Opportuni es Recommenda ons: Market Study & Traffic Study Complete Street Components Gateway Planning and Design Con nued Maintenance of Pedestrian Infrastructure Wayfinding and Urban Design to Welcome Visitors Zone to Support TOD, Infill Development and Adap ve Reuse Con nue to work with Downtown, Inc. Consider other incen ves: TIF Consider expanding 40R Smart Growth Overlay District Maintain and beau fy city parks Work with BRTA, passenger rail service and local and regional businesses to address last mile challenges As part of the Passenger Rail Sta on Loca on and Design Analysis, BRPC developed a sta on area plan (SAP) for each of the four sta on areas it has recommended. The purpose of each SAP is to iden fy the challenges and opportuni es present in the 1/2 mile radius of the proposed sta on site (sta on area) and to assist the respec ve communi es in preparing for both the benefits and impacts of reintroduced passenger rail service. The 1/2 mile radius sta on area is considered best prac ce in planning, recommended by the Federal Railroad Administra on in their sta on area planning guidance, and also is heavily cited in Transit Oriented Development (TOD, transit planning and passenger rail sta on literature. Each SAP is composed of six sec ons: sta on area context, sta on area vision, sta on area exis ng condi ons, opportuni es, challenges and recommenda ons. A detailed outline is provided in the full report document. Data and informa on regarding each sta on area was drawn from mul ple sources, including the 2010 U.S. Census, the American Community Survey, MassGIS data, and data or informa on generated by BRPC and local communi es. Local community planning documents were also referenced. Context: The Downtown Lee Sta on Area is located just minutes from the Massachuse s Turnpike and includes the central Berkshire s Route 20 corridor. The Downtown Lee passenger rail sta on is nestled within a bustling downtown amongst both commercial and residen al proper es. In addi on to dense offerings of retail and commercial businesses, food service, and accommoda ons, this area also supports high residen al density. Vision: Located in the heart of a bustling New England town, the Downtown Lee Sta on celebrates the town s heritage and vitality. Challenges: Spa al Constraints of a Built-Out Downtown Traffic and Circula on in the Downtown Area Opportuni es: Support Current Redevelopment Efforts Downtown Downtown Area with Dense Popula on, Retail Ac vity, Culture, History and Exis ng Transit Connec vity Access to Exis ng Infrastructure Lee is suppor ve of Passenger Rail Service Downtown Sta on in Lee Supports Regional Development Goals Lee has exis ng Zoning, Land Use and Transit to Support Transit- Oriented Development (TOD) Recommenda ons: Connect local transporta on systems Market Study & Traffic Study Consider adop ng a Business Improvement District Con nued Maintenance of Pedestrian Infrastructure

10 Study Areas, Key Findings, and Recommenda ons VI. STATION AREA PLANS GREAT BARRINGTON SHEFFIELD Context: The historic, downtown passenger rail sta on is located on Castle Lane, just behind the community s town hall. It is accessible via Taconic Avenue and Castle Street. The sta on area itself has no fatal flaws, nor environmental constraints. It is roughly 10 miles from the Sheffield State Line site, 11 miles from downtown Lee and just over 20 miles from the Pi sfield Intermodal Center. Vision: A vibrant residen al and commercial mixed use area with strong pedestrian and bicycling connec ons. Challenges: The A rac veness, Popularity and Historic Development Pa ern of the Downtown Area Poses Spa al Constraints The Downtown Sta on Area will S ll Require Last Mile Planning Noise from the Passenger Rail Service and Increased Traffic Could Impact Adjacent Residen al Neighborhoods Passenger Rail Service Could Increase Demand for Housing There are Limited Circula on Alterna ves Opportuni es: Exis ng Sta on Footprint with Parking Opportunity Downtown Area with Dense Popula on, Retail Ac vity, Culture, History and Exis ng Transit Downtown Area Served by Exis ng Transit Strong Physical Connec vity to Nearby Neighborhoods and Automobile Connec vity to Outlying Areas Ongoing Community and Site Development Efforts Suppor ve of TOD Great Barrington is Ac ve in Efforts that could Benefit Rail Service and Sta on Impacts Great Barrington is Suppor ve of Passenger Rail Service and Sta on A Downtown Area Sta on Supports Regional Development Goals Great Barrington has Exis ng Zoning, Land Use and Transit to Support TOD Context: The proposed State Line passenger rail sta on, located in a rural agricultural area on Route 7, straddling the MA / CT state line. The State Line area is primarily a low density residen al and agricultural neighborhood with an abundance of forest and agricultural resources and a few manufacturing / processing facili es. The undeveloped ten acre parcel, owned by HRRC, would enable the State Line sta on to serve as a regional sta on, a rac ng riders from northern CT, eastern NY, and the southern Berkshires. The sta on area is roughly 10 miles from Downtown Great Barrington and 31 miles from the Pi sfield Intermodal Center. Vision: State Line Sta on, nestled within the farmland of southern Sheffield, provides ample opportuni es for transit users to appreciate the cultural, recrea onal, and historical assets which envelop the town, while s ll maintaining the town s rural and scenic character and protec ng sensi ve natural resources. Challenges: Lack of Town Interest in Development Lack of Exis ng Infrastructure Incompa bility with Surrounding Land Use Lack of Pedestrian Infrastructure and General Connec vity Opportuni es: Recommenda ons: Review and Consider Parking Capacity and Demand Market Analysis to Determine Best Type of Related Development Work with Architect/Engineer to Iden fy Steps Needed to Convert Historic Sta on to Contemporary Use Parking Strategy Consider Applying for a Quiet Zone Physical Sound A enua on Diverse Housing Opportunity Reuse of Vacant or Underused Site Consider Adop ng BID (Business Improvement District) Traffic Study Wayfinding and Strong Pedestrian/Bicycle Infrastructure Site Control of Proposed Sta on Access to Major Roads Increased Flexibility in Si ng and Design Recommenda ons: Connect Local Transporta on Systems Iden fy Desired Land and Building Uses to Support Passenger Rail Service Determine whether Improvements to Route 7 would be Needed Create and / or Maintain Local Bicycle Networks Consider Applying for a Quiet Zone

11 Ridership Forecast and Preliminary Service Plan PROPOSED SERVICE PLAN The ini al service plan will be more fully developed as HRRC gains more insight into the markets to be served. The ini al service plan indicates that: HRRC will operate eight (8) full round trips daily between Berkshire County and points south. HRRC prefers to connect with the Metro North service at the Southeast sta on on the Harlem Line because it will provide more favorable trip mes for through trains to Grand Central sta on (if capacity allows) and for connec on passengers. HOUSATONIC RAILROAD COMPANY SAMPLE SCHEDULE PITTSFIELD - NORTH CANAAN - NEW MILFORD - DANBURY SOUTHEAST (CONNECTION WITH METRO NORTH) - GRAND CENTRAL Days of Operation Sat-Sun Weekday Connecting Station Mile 0 Pittsfield dp 5:21 5: Lee dp 5:38 5: Great Barrington dp 6:00 6: Canaan/Sheffield dp 6:20 6:35 54 Cornwall Bridge dp 6:47 7: Kent dp 6:59 7: New Milford dp 7:18 7:33 82 Brookfield dp 7:27 7:42 90 Danbury dp 7:36 7: Southeast ar 7:51 8:06 Southeast MNRR dp 7:52 8:11 Cross Platform to MNRR Grand Central Terminal ar 9:10 9:32 *ESTIMATED SAMPLE SCHEDULE FOR A THRU TRAIN AND A SOUTHEAST CROSS PLATFORM SERVICE VII. RIDERSHIP FORECASTING RIDERSHIP FORECAST The basis for the ridership refinement is a 2010 marke ng study prepared by Market Street Research. It concluded that over a five (5) year period, a properly structured passenger rail service between Pi sfield and NYC would generate a median ridership of two (2) million one-way fares. This includes both CT and Berkshire County passengers. To isolate the # of oneway fares a ributable to Berkshire County, the # of CT one-way fares was es mated and subtracted from the total two (2) million fares. BREAKDOWN OF RIDERSHIP BY SUB-REGION Sub-Region /# of One Way Fares Danbury-New Milford/340,000 Other CT/573,126 Berkshire County/1,086,874 TOTAL: 2,000,000 RIDERSHIP AND SERVICE ARE INFLUENCED BY DEMOGRAPHICS AND DESTINATION, AS WELL AS LAST MILE LINKAGES The Market Street research study indicated that cost and convenience were the most important factors in a rac ng riders to the Housatonic Railroad passenger service. At public mee ngs, BRPC found that pedestrian connec vity and convenience were very important to southbound or intra-country riders. NOTES The Danbury-New Milford es mate is from the 2008 Danbury Branch Improvement Program Report prepared for the State of Connec cut. The es mate is slightly reduced to account for CT only commuters not isolated in the report. Remaining one-way fares are split with a higher number to Berkshire County because it receives more visitor-days per year compared to the Other CT region, 2.5 million visitor days compared to 1.04 million visitor days.

12 Impacts and Benefits VIII. CORRIDOR-WIDE BENEFITS & IMPACTS BENEFITS The 2011 Economic Benefits of Housatonic Railroad Passenger Service report by the Center for Crea ve Community Development projects that the proposed passenger rail service will have significant economic benefits to the region in the first ten years of the project. The increase in economic output during the first decade is projected to be $625 million dollars with an average of 610 new jobs created. Over the an cipated three (3) year construc on period, the region s economic output is expected to increase by $100 million dollars/year and 733 new jobs are expected to be created. The service is expected to contribute $33.5 million dollars of economic output per year for the region and create 431 new permanent jobs during the opera ons period. The tourism sector is projected to benefit with an addi onal 80,000 visitor-days a ributable to the passenger rail service. Also in the tourism sector, the crea on of 126 new jobs is projected with an addi onal $12.5 million dollars in addi onal economic output per year is projected. Local governments are expected to receive $2.6 million dollars in addi onal revenue each year. The proposed passenger rail service may provide an alterna ve means of intra-county transporta on for residents and visitors (e.g. Great Barrington to Pi sfield), meaning that downtown sta on sites are important to maximize this opportunity. BRPC considered findings from the Center for Creative Community Development s report to identify the economic benefits of restored passenger rail service. It also determined the number of businesses and employees of these businesses currently served by freight service. To identify impacts, BRPC reviewed best management practices for passenger rail service, especially guidance from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). BRPC concludes that the benefit to the region is greater than the impacts. The proposed passenger rail service will have benefits and impacts on all six of the Berkshire Line communities regardless of whether community hosts a passenger rail station. Benefits are summarized to the left, and impacts to the right. IMPACTS Noise and Vibra on are the most common impacts associate with any passenger rail service. Noise and vibra on impacts are not expected to be significant issues along the rail corridor. However, certain areas along the rail corridor, especially those in proximity to public at-grade crossings, will be subject to the sound of the locomo ve horn. Federal regula ons require locomo ve engineers to rou nely sound the locomo ve horn at all public cat-grade crossings, except in areas designated as quiet zones or where wayside horns are installed. The planned replacement of the jointed rail with welded rail in the rail corridor sill significantly reduce the noise and vibra on impacts from the trains. Railroad Operations (100 ) Noise Level (dba) Horn Locomotive Rail Cars (50 mph) Locomotive (idling)

13 The Public Process IX. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PUBLIC INPUT Throughout the passenger rail sta on loca on and design analysis, an effort has been made to inform the public and to receive the input of community stakeholders. The public process has involved public mee ngs, mee ngs with local officials, and working group mee ngs with local planning boards, select boards and interested community members. The public process helped iden fy impacts, benefits and opportuni es related to passenger rail service and poten al passenger rail sta ons. They are described below by topic area. METHODS Mee ngs with Public Officials BRPC used a variety of tools to conduct public outreach, garner public input and work with local stakeholders through the course of it s study. 1) Mee ngs with Public Officials 2) Public Mee ngs 3) Stakeholder Working Group Mee ngs 4) Online Forums 5) Online Survey 6) Commission Mee ngs & Berkshire Metropolitan Planning Organiza on 7) Local and Regional Media 8) Correspondence 9) Communica on and Outreach As of Fall 2014, over 200 people par cipated through public mee ngs and working groups. FINDINGS The public generally supports passenger rail, due to the increased convenience of travel to and from NYC; the benefits of increased connec vity; and the increase in number of visitors traveling to the Berkshires for travel and tourism. The following reasons for concern were iden fied: the poten al for increased housing cost; the poten al for an increase in noise & vibra on due to the more frequent train traffic along the rail line; the poten al for a decrease in property value immediately adjacent to the passenger rail sta on or along the rail corridor itself; the current physical condi on of the rail track and poten al to the safety of both passengers and communi es. STATION AMENITIES AND SERVICES The highest priority ameni es or services iden fied in public mee ng sand in the online survey are e- cket kiosks, safe pedestrian access, pedestrian pick-up and drop-off, wireless internet, restrooms and parking. A tourist desk was felt to be important as a way to greet and welcome visitors into the Berkshires and help them navigate beyond the rail sta on. PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION Mul -modal transporta on op ons are important features in the loca on of a passenger rail sta on. In public mee ngs and in the online survey, high priority was given to transporta on op ons such as enhanced bus service, shu le service, taxi service. In the online survey, pedestrian infrastructure was the highest priority. Shu led service and taxi service were considered entrepreneurial opportuni es for exis ng businesses in the region. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT A majority of residents feel that the passenger rail service will provide economic benefits to the Berkshire region. Nearly 94% of survey respondents indicated growth in tourism as the biggest benefit; 75% of respondents believe that service will spur job growth, 70% of respondents believe that service will a ract reloca ng employers, and 73% of respondents believe that the service will help a ract and retain a skilled Berkshire workforce. HOUSING COST Public mee ng a endees and survey par cipants had a mixed view on how passenger rail service might impact housing costs in the region: 54% felt it will increase housing values; 41% think it will expand housing opportuni es; nearly 40% think that the service will increase both purchase and rental costs. The increased demand on second hands could result in increased costs, and proximity to an ac ve rail line could result in decreased property value.

14 For the Proposed Passenger Rail Service and Berkshire Line Communi es X. CONSIDERATIONS THE PURPOSE OF THESE CONSIDERATIONS These considera ons will help communi es and the region prepare for passenger rail service and be ready to maximize local and regional benefits. NEXT STEPS 1) MassDOT is encouraged to make necessary improvements and upgrades to the rail infrastructure necessary for a passenger rail service to operate. 2) HRRC and State of Connec cut are encouraged to con nue collabora ng. 3) HRRC and MassDOT are encouraged to construct passenger rail sta ons in the recommended loca ons or to make the funding available for construc on. 4) BRPC is encouraged to facilitate a discussion between regional and local en es to discuss ownership scenarios. 5) HRRC and MassDOT are encouraged to work with BRTA and other transporta on providers to ensure last mile connec ons. 6) HRRC and MassDOT are encouraged to proac vely address poten al noise and vibra on impacts. 7) HRCC is encouraged to pursue the acquisi on of the rolling stock necessary to make passenger rail service happen. 8) BRPC is encouraged to work coopera vely with Connec cut counterparts to finalize the loca on of a joint facility to serve Sheffield and North Canaan, CT. 9) The Commonwealth of Massachuse s is encouraged to make funding available toberkshire Line communi es for final coordina on, implementa on and construc on of infrastructure and facili es suppor ng passenger rail service. CONSIDERATIONS All of the Berkshire line communi es are encouraged to stay involved in the development of the proposed passenger rail service and to communicate concerns, if any, to the MassDOT or HRRC. Each of the Berkshire Line communi es may wish to consider establishing a quiet zone in their community if it is determined that the locomo ve horn noise will create considerable noise impacts. In other locali es where passenger rail services have been introduced, public authori es, rail carriers, federal and state safety officials and ci zens have worked together with an organiza on called Opera on Lifesaver to develop awareness and safety programs along the rail lines. During the me when construc on is taking place to upgrade the tracks construct sta ons, it is recommended that a similar program be ins tuted along the rail line in the Berkshires. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS Play an ac ve role in the si ng and construc on of the passenger rail sta on. Consider engaging the en ty responsible for the design and construc on of the proposed passenger rail sta on to ensure context-sensi ve design. Consider the integra on of a passenger rail sta on into a mixed-use building to provide addi onal revenue to the sta on owner from lease payments. Plan for the rail sta on to be a community asset and gathering point for the community. Study parking capacity and infrastructure, and understand impacts of the rail sta on. Develop a parking strategy to ensure that long and short term parking are available in the passenger rail sta on area. Plan for addi onal mixed-use development around the proposed sta on area through land use regula on amendments to encourage transit oriented development, the adap ve reuse of buildings and infill development. Understand the condi on and capacity of u lity infrastructure to support related development. Consider pedestrian and bicycle connec vity ensure that the surrounding area provides safe access to the proposed sta on for pedestrians and cyclists.