Analysis of Passenger Rail Station Locations for Integrated. Travel Research and Development

 

Abhishek Pandharinath Lad

Dhawal Vinesh Jethva 

Joseph Thomas 

Julie Urmil Mehta 

Noor A Elahi Rahat 

Prof. Mazyar Zahedi-Seresht

 

 

Executive Summary


This report considers aspects of passenger rail station location in relation to the proposed Whistler Passenger Rail Development, Cascadia cross-border high-speed rail upgrades and the socio-economic effects of a proposed passenger rail station in Surrey, BC. The analysis uses 2025 demographic estimates, economic reports, environmental analysis, and transportation planning analysis. Four areas are highlighted, population density, accessibility, economic impact and environmental considerations.


Among the key lessons are that Surrey has been high and growing density that would provide a high ridership potential, Whistler seasonal tourism demand that would make a rail extension viable, and Cascadia developments that will have the power to change the way the region moves by 2040-2045. There is an environmental benefit of rail over cars and air travel, and the emissions produced by trains are a fraction of those produced by cars and air travel.


Among the recommendations, was making Surrey Central the main site of stations, purchasing the Sea-to-Sky corridor to reconnect Whistler, and planning along with Cascadia high-speed rail. Measures of sustainability, such as electrification and the inclusion of wildlife protection in the design of corridors, are examples of actionable insights, as is site selection based on GIS-based overlays, the search of early funding partners, and the incorporation of both.