6.5. SR 07-18-2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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f Northstar Commuter Rail Project. Part of the conclusion in favor of push pulls was fleet expansion costs, push pulls demonstrative reliability, procurement risk of DMUs (DMUs have no demonstrated reliability because there are no orders out there), and lower design risk of push pull (DMU design is new). Staff and consultants' recommendation is to move forward with the push pull locomotive concept. Ms. Stevens noted that the Study is available upon request for anyone who might like to review it. Mr. Stevens also noted that L TK Engineering has now initiated the study that the NCDA mandated for the use of biodiesel fuels in biodiesellocomotives. Paul Motin asked if the use of push pull or DMUs determines how the tracks/platforms are laid out. Mr. Stevens noted that BNSF has what is called a flow of axel rule. Shorter trains have a history of shunting at the signal crossings. There is an issue of a waiver that would be need to be acquired. Clearance also becomes an issue at the maintenance facility. Mr. Stevens noted that staff do not believe there is any clearance issues on the Northstar line but don't know what other lines might have a issue, such as Red Rock and other regional lines. Mr. Stevens noted that this list of items from the PE Validation will be kept on the agenda for NCDA update as work progresses. 8. FT A Issues: New Starts Submittals: Mike Schadauer noted that staff are engaged in submitting information to the FT A that will assist them in making decisions on the Northstar New Starts Project rating. As part of that submittal, staff are developing a detailed real estate plan, quality plan, fleet management plan and also plan on providing the FTA with before and after plan information (for instance, regarding ridership). All these items have to be provided to demonstrate how the Project is being developed. Mr. Schadauer noted that the ridership forecast is still not complete, which is putting submittal of plans on hold. Modelers are having a hard time getting the model calibrated. There is a meeting scheduled with ridership modelers on Friday. 9. FT A Issues: Monthly report is in your packet. The report includes a schedule of when the Plan's are expected to be submitted. Paul Motin asked when we can expect to enter the final design phase of the Project. Mike Schadauer noted that that will depend on the ridership forecast. 10. Legislative issues: Bill Schreiber noted that the regular session has completed and a special session called by the Governor. 11. Public Information Update: John Himle gave a quick run down of recent activities. He noted that there has been a variety of update pieces going out to various databases (supporters, businesses and others) giving an update on the status of the Project. Thank yous have been sent to legislators and other community leaders that have supported the Project. He noted that a contact at Comcast Cable is looking for further opportunities for interviews on their cable system. Himle Horner suggested interviewing Representative Tinglestad. These interviews would run during portions of CNN headline news. Jill Brown noted that there has been many requests for presentations by Northstar representatives at various functions around the region. Since the bonding bill has passed, folks want to hear about TOO. Ms. Brown handed out a Northstar Commuter Coach fact sheet which shows results of a survey completed of Commuter Coach riders. 5