GIs model
The GIS Model is a live data tool that AECOM created to plan out alternatives for the NEC Future project. The model predicts the enviornmental footpronts for each potential route and station. An environmental footprint is basically the space a station will take up, including new buildings, parking sturctures, and tracks. The footprint is also the impact the station will have on natural habitats that surround it. The GIS Model can also incorporate the different types of construction that will be necessary for the multiple projects; for example if a tunnel or bridge will be needed on a new route. This technology aids tremendously in collaboration and is especially necessary with large regional planning.
In the meeting with AECOM, we were shown 5 main alternatives that the company is considering at this point. One is the no action option, meaning the NEC would be kept in a "state of good repair" and the current operations would be maintained. The remaining alternatives focused on bigger changes to the NEC, with two of them adding a second spine along the orginal one.
Challenges
The stakeholders of the program are essentially the 51 million people affected along the NEC. This past year, representatives from AECOM went on a station outreach tour that began mid April and lasted until early May. They hit all of the major stations, and some smaller ones, to reach out and inform passengers about the project.
Stakeholders also inculde quite a few of federal and state agencies. Some examples of the agencies would be the Army, the Evironmental Protection Agency, economic development, and regional and city planning groups. AECOM has been working on reaching out to the agencies even before its people have all the answers. This allows for conversation and transparency between the companies. It is difficult to get ideas across, being that they are very conceptual ideas, and to gain the trust of the companies and organizations, but if AECOM is able to get the companies on its side all the trouble will be worth it in the end becasue of all the important feedback and ideas provided by the organizations.
The overall goal of this project is to improve passenger experience. To successfully accomplish this goal, AECOM must research and determine an answer to four main questions: What will the market look like in 2040? What size system will be needed? What services can be made more efficient? How can we improve the passenger experience?
However, the answers to these questions provide plans for the long term goals. There are challenges that must be faced in the near future for the project to continue.
Looking at the Northeast Corridor as a whole, the main problems are congestion, the inability to expand without disturbing existing development, and little capacity to accommodate growth. On a smaller scale, the problems for the rail passengers include the reliability of the trains, ineffiecient connections and transfers, and the confusion that comes from different ticketing systems and itineraries for the multiple train companies. Solutions to these problems are high on the priority list for AECOM.
Stakeholders
Aecom & NEC Future 14
Planning for the FutUre of The NEC