Selections from railroads, 1983

Figure II - 1 South Dakota Department of Transportation

Governor of South Dakota William J. Janklow ↓

Railroad Board - Department of Transportation (Secretary of Transportation) - Transportation Commission ↓

Division of Finance - Division of Planning - Division of Engineering - Division of Operation

The Governor has designated the Department of Transportation as the State Agency responsible for managing the Rail Planning Process and Assistance program. Federal funds for both planning and projects have been received pursuant to Section 5, Department of Transportation Act, as amended by the Railroad Revitalization and Regulatory Reform Act of 1976 and the Local Rail Service Assistance Act of 1978. The Department of Transportation also has statuatory authority to intervene in abandonment cases and other legal proceedings with railroad companies and the Interstate Commerce Commission.

OVERALL PLANNING PROCESS

One of the South Dakota Department of Transportation's (SDDOT) goals is to establish, construct and maintain a viable state transportation system, including both the public and private sectors, which provides a sufficient level of service for the movement of products and people in a safe, economical, timely and efficient manner based upon available resources. An accompanying goal is to actively work for transportation betterment in the identification and interpretation of transportation needs and to strive for public and legislative support to meet those needs. A major objective of the SDDOT is to integrate the various modes of transportation in order that they might safely, efficiently and economically supplement and complement each other in the movement of persons and goods.

The Division conducts research on basic railroad problems, plans and assists the development of rail transportation, maintains the State/Federal relationship on programs relating to rail transportation and assists the Department of Transportation or any public and private agency in coordinating railroad services with those of other transportation modes. The Division is responsible for

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performing planning and analysis functions necessary to maintain an up-to-date State rail plan. This includes the collection, analysis, and evaluation of data pertaining to rail lines and services in South Dakota. Typically such activities include:

- monitor rail traffic and commodity flows;

- perform detailed line analyses on lines threatened by abandonment;

- monitor changes in the status, condition, and service on rail lines;

- continuously evaluate the importance of rail facilities to the State, in light of the current situation and expected developments;

- analysis of State Core operations.

In addition, the Division provides technical support to assist railroads and rail users.

Rail planning in South Dakota has long recognized the importance of public interaction. The Division will continue to keep the public informed and actively solicit their input. Rail planning grew out of public awareness of the rail crisis facing the State and the public's desire to solve the resulting transportation problems. Direct public participation in the rail planning process is generated through the issuance of news releases, agency mailings, meetings and seminars. Division staff regularly meet with shipper groups and make appearances throughout the State to inform the public and solicit input into the planning process.

Shipper surveys are conducted on lines selected for intensive study. These surveys provide information on the shippers usage of rail, future needs for rail

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service and other related information. Various State departments and agencies also provide input into the rail planning process. For additional information and points of views the Division maintains close contact with the rail planning staffs of neighboring states to insure coordination focused on planning activities, program development and project implementation.

All railplans and addendums receive two final reviews before implementation. Public hearings are held on all plans and the internal A-95 review process is utilized to solicit additional comments. The hearings provide the State with the opportunity to describe the study rationale and findings and solicit public comment regarding the recommendations contained therein. Public hearings also provide the Division staff and local citizens the opportunity to exchange ideas and to discuss current issues.

Public participation is essential to meaningful rail planning truly responsive to the needs and concerns of local rail users. Rail assistance projects in particular require the active involvement and commitment of those affected by the project(s). Therefore, public participation will continue to be a major component of the rail planning process in South Dakota.

Rail planning and project implementation are conducted under the established policies, objectives and goals.

RAIL SERVICE AND PLANNING POLICIES

The State's policies provide general statements of direction for rail service and planning for South Dakota.

To coordinate the efforts of rail users, railroad companies, local governments, and the State to solve transportation problems in South Dakota.

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• To encourage the continuation of financially solvent, privately owned and operated rail services in the State.

• To support essential rail services which are threatened by abandonment through the use of available public and private funds, where the public interest justifies such assistance.

• To foster the coordination and consolidation of rail services in the State where opportunities exist for improving the efficiency of rail operations.

• To strive to increase the public awareness of rail service issues as they affect the State and to facilitate public involvement in the on-going State rail planning process.

RAIL SERVICE AND PLANNING OBJECTIVES

The State's objectives define more specific courses of action relating to rail planning in the South Dakota DOT.

• To foster adequate, safe, efficient and economical transportation services for the movement of persons and goods in South Dakota.

• To integrate the State's transportation system with that of neighboring states and with the national transportation system in order to facilitate interstate and nationwide travel, while also considering state and local needs, desires, and the inherent social, economic, environmental, and land use impacts.

• To integrate the various carriers and modes of transportation in order that they might safely, efficiently and economically supplement and complement

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