Compared to other developed countries around the globe, the U.S. has been lagging behind in rail transportation,
which is a more efficient form of transportation for both freight and passengers when the necessary infrastructure
has been well planned. Proposed plans to expand the reach of the existing rail network in the U.S. include projects to
develop a high-speed rail network across the country by 2030, where speeds of up to 220 mph could be achieved
along tracks built in 4 phases leading up to 2030. While such projects are important to improve the state of rail
infrastructure and transportation in the U.S., parts of the existing rail infrastructure is in critical condition due to
decades of postponed upgrades.
The New Haven Line reports a record number of passengers every year as it continues to experience a steady
increase in ridership. In 2012, the railroad reported 39 million passengers on the New Haven Line, a 69% increase
compared to 1984, the year corresponding to Metro-North’s inception. During weekdays, Metro-North runs 336
trains daily. Additionally, Amtrak operates 44 intercity trains on the main line between New Haven and New
Rochelle, bringing 3 million additional intercity passengers onto the New Haven Line each year. Statistical forecasts
indicate continued growth in ridership, while Metro-North predicts an increase of 46% over the next 18 years
reaching 57 million trips annually by 2030. There are also two freight railroads hosted on the New Haven Line that
provides both local and through service: CSX, and Providence & Worcester (P&W).
The focus of this study was a comprehensive analysis of the history, current operation, and projected future of the
New Haven Line in order to overcome its current vulnerabilities and improve its resilience as a viable transportation
system. The existing rail infrastructure of the U.S. Northeast region has been analysed in this study, and causes of
current problems and future potential hotspots have been discussed. Metro-North, operated by the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, and Amtrak were the focus of the study, and specifically the seventy-two mile stretch of
the New Haven Line, shown in Figure 1, considered one of the busiest regional rail and freight rail service operating
between New York and Connecticut [
changes have been discussed.