Economic Impact Analysis of Short Line Railroads. Final Report July 1, 2012 to December 31, 2013.

摘要

This research project assesses the economic role and impact of short line railroads in the state of Louisiana. While relatively small in scope, with 11 operators and approximately 500 miles of track, short line railroads play a significant role in supporting the states core economic drivers. Overall, short line railroads are small, but significant components of the states business connections since the primary purpose of these rail lines is to move commodities from Louisiana producers, via rail, to national and international markets and vice versa. This report addresses a number of key factors related to their overall economic impact upon the states economy, including the regional economic impact of the short line railroads. First described is the scope and presence of the eleven short line railroads currently operating in the state of Louisiana, paying particular attention to their role in facilitating the transportation of goods to and from Class I railroads. Second, a detailed description of the broader economic contribution of short line railroads in Louisiana, focusing on key economic metrics such as employment levels, parish presence and industries served, as well as estimates of the economic impact of the short line railroads on the state and selected regions of the state, is provided. In this section, the fact that short line railroads account for approximately 1,821 direct and indirect jobs in the state, many of which are located in parishes with limited employment opportunities, is highlighted. More importantly, short line railroads directly support the States leading industries (i.e., agriculture, oil and gas, etc.) which represent the major drivers of the States overall economy. These major industries support over 260,000 jobs in the Louisiana economy or close to 15 percent of all jobs in the state. In addition, these core industries create the opportunity for other businesses to be successful. In this section, also addressed are possible alternatives to short line rail operations and their environmental and economic impact. Lastly, short line policies (e.g., grant programs for capital improvements) that should be considered by the state of Louisiana in order to accommodate the flow of goods using railways in the state is explored. These policies are drawn from short line rail policies that have been crafted by other states, but are related to the unique short line issues in Louisiana.