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<div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The initial Texas Triangle concept included a connecting line from Austin or San Antonio to Houston.  </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The Texas Rail Plan does not include a connection from Waco to Houston.  Population density probably was a factor.</span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The 2013 estimated population of Waco and the surrounding county (McLennan) was 241,000.  The estimated population for Austin and the surrounding county (Travis) was 1,120,954, as per the U.S. Census Bureau.</span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The Triangle Railroad Holding Company estimated in 2009 that high speed rail from Austin to Houston would attract an average of 31,150 riders per day compared to 34,000 between DFW and San Antonio and 49,500 between DFW and Houston.  The methodology for determining the ridership numbers is not given.  </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The authors of the Texas Rail Plan, as per Page 4-52, included an analysis for developing a high speed passenger rail line between Austin and Houston.  The line would parallel roughly U.S. 290, which is the main highway between the two cities, and could include stops in Elgin, Giddings, Brenham, and Hempstead.  Bryan/College Station was also included as a possible stop, although to do so would require deviating from a relatively straight route between Austin and Houston. </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The analysts identified existing rail infrastructure and operations, alternative routes, and infrastructure improvements required to support passenger rail in the corridor.  Rail Traffic Controller software was used to model passenger rail operations between Austin and Houston.  </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;">The Capital Metro track from Austin to Giddings and an abandoned Southern Pacific right-of-way from Giddings to Hempstead were identified as the most likely route.  With curve modifications and infrastructure improvements, the route could handle speeds up to 110 mph.  More extensive improvements would allow higher speeds.</span></div> <div style="margin:0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family:Calibri;"> </span></div>
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