The Long Island Rail Road says a new study proves its controversial Third Track project is necessary.The study says ridership on the LIRR has increased 7.8 percent overall since 1998. Other findings in the study show travel within Nassau and Suffolk has surged 204 percent. The number of reverse commuters and off-peak riders also increased more than 70 percent, according to the study.The LIRR would seize as many as 72 pieces of property to build the track between Floral Park and Hicksville. One commuter in Floral Park criticized the plan, saying the town is a tight-knit community and families would not know where to go if they lost their property.