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Shared-Use Web-Based Tool
The Federal Railroad Administration currently sponsors the Shared-Use Web-Based Tool developed by National Cooperative Freight Research Program (NCFRP) at this external web address: (http://su.dtek.biz). FRA endorses the Shared-Use Web-Based Tool and its output. See the presentation slides below for a description of the tool and its capabilities. To begin using Shared-Use, go to the Shared-Use website to register (see above link).
The NCFRP 30 web-based screening tool is designed to enable State and Regional transportation planners and passenger rail operators to perform preliminary screening of proposed shared-use passenger and freight rail projects. NCFRP Report 27 provides more information about the tool and can be downloaded here: http://www.trb.org/main/blurbs/171116.aspx. The tool assists planners with the preliminary analysis as defined in the Rail Corridor Transportation Plans: A Guidance Manual, a Federal Railroad Administration publication found at: (http://www.fra.dot.gov/eLib/Details/L04161).
The Shared-Use Web-Based Tool makes use of components of an FRA-developed full-scale Generalized Train Movement Simulation (GTMS) model. FRA will continuously test, verify, and update the Shared-Use Web-Based Tool to ensure useful and accurate output.
The Shared-Use Web-Based Tool is not intended to support either capital budgeting or facility design beyond the schematic/conceptual level. The tool is appropriate for sketch planning and alternative route analyses.