Section 696.5 - Comprehensive rail freight study(a) Initiation of study.--The department shall undertake, either through its own staff or through the use of a consultant or consultants, or both, a comprehensive study of rail freight transportation services, systems and facilities within the Commonwealth and recommendations for their preservation and improvement to include at least the following elements: (1) Identification of the rail network required to support Pennsylvania's industries.(2) Identification of strategies to be used by the Commonwealth in assisting in the preservation of essential rail lines: (i) a review of the department's criteria for evaluating potential projects, including alternate transportation costs, hazardous materials, etc.; and(ii) identification of types of assistance which would be appropriate in different problem situations.(3) Identification of major heavy, high and wide freight flows and define a base rail network corresponding to those flows; identify ways in which the department could act to preserve clearances on heavy, high and wide routes in the event of track alterations or removal.(4) Identification of Commonwealth strategies in the event the Conrail system is broken up or if Conrail is sold to another railroad which only maintains main line services.(5) Analysis of disposition of Commonwealth owned branch lines as well as remaining route miles that have not been acted upon by Conrail.(6) Identification of all other modes involved in rail freight movements and assess intermodal needs, including motor freight transfer facilities, port access and air freight movement.(b) Utilization of study.--The department shall consider the conclusions of the comprehensive rail freight study in the implementation of its programs designed to preserve and improve the rail freight transportation services, systems and facilities within the Commonwealth, including the development of new initiatives, where required.(c) Appropriation.--The General Assembly shall annually appropriate funds to the department for the exclusive purpose of carrying out the comprehensive rail freight study, including department administrative expenses.1984, July 5, P.L. 587, No. 119, §5, effective in 60 days. Amended 1988, Dec. 21, P.L. 1898, No. 188, § 3, imd. effective.