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| INTERCITY       FREIGHT AND PASSENGER RAIL:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |        |  |
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| **TEA-21 Role in Transportation         and the Environment**

TEA-21 acknowledged         the role of comprehensive planning in reducing the negative effects of         transportation on the environment.� The Transportation and Community and         System Preservation Pilot program has encouraged innovative ideas and         the formation of new partnerships to respond to the challenges inherent         in making good decisions about the nation=s         transportation system, our communities, and the environment.�Access to jobs, mitigation of traffic congestion,         preservation of green space, and the need for a sense of community are         just a few of the considerations that must be balanced as communities         strive for strong, sustainable economic growth and a high quality of life.         

Grants provided         by TCSP support projects that strengthen linkages among transportation         and community planning and system preservation practices.� TCSP places         a strong emphasis on evaluation and learning. The authorizing TEA‑21         language explicitly recognizes that the complex set of relationships among         transportation, land development, and the factors influencing community         livability are not fully understood. Thus, research and individual grant         evaluations to determine which transportation and community design practices         are most successful are important elements of the TCSP program. The knowledge         gained from TCSP will assist communities in developing and implementing         their own transportation and community preservation practices.

The program recognizes         the key role played by an effective planning process in successfully achieving         these objectives. TCSP supports and enhances existing state and metropolitan         planning processes by engaging a broad range of partners, including the         general public and non‑traditional partners, such as the business         community, public health agencies, and private developers. TCSP projects         will also add value to planning processes, by introducing greater consideration         of the land development and community impacts of various transportation         investment alternatives.

**Summary**

The major benefits         of rail transportation can be summarized as follows:� rail transportation,         which in many areas has substantial capacity or can be expanded to handle         additional passenger and freight traffic, has the potential to relieve         highway and airway congestion while producing fewer harmful emissions,         requiring little or no new land, and consuming less energy.� Identifying         the specific benefits associated with a rail or rail-related project is         important for public agencies as they develop transportation plans, make         infrastructure investment decisions, and negotiate public-private partnerships.
**Questions concerning rail benefits       should be addressed to:****Stephen M. Grimm, Senior Program Analyst       202/493-6412, Office of Policy and Program Development, FRA.**           |        |
| Site         Index

Section         1.

Section         2.

Section         3.Section 4.Surface Transportation         ProgramTIFIANCPD and CBI ProgramsTransportation Enhancements         Program

Section         5.Air QualityEnergy**TEA-21         Role in Transportation and the Environment**

Section         6.�

Appendix         1.        Appendix 2.        Appendix 3.

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