commuter rail overview. 2 heritage systems (pre-1985) seattle montréal miami vancouver los angeles...

Commuter Rail OverviewCommuter Rail Overview

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““Heritage” Systems (Pre-1985)Heritage” Systems (Pre-1985)““Heritage” Systems (Pre-1985)Heritage” Systems (Pre-1985)

SeattleSeattle

MontréalMontréal

MiamiMiami

VancouverVancouver

Los AngelesLos Angeles

Ft WorthFt Worth DallasDallas

San DiegoSan Diego

““New” Systems (Since 1985)New” Systems (Since 1985)““New” Systems (Since 1985)New” Systems (Since 1985)

SyracuseSyracuse

NashvilleNashvilleAlbuquerqueAlbuquerque

SacramentoSacramento

San JoseSan JoseSan FranciscoSan Francisco

ChicagoChicago NewarkNewarkPhiladelphiaPhiladelphia

BostonBoston

New York CityNew York City

BaltimoreBaltimoreWashington DCWashington DC

TorontoToronto

North American Commuter Rail SystemsNorth American Commuter Rail Systems

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• A Form of Rapid TransitA Form of Rapid Transit– Moves people at speeds greater than Moves people at speeds greater than

automobile traffic in a corridorautomobile traffic in a corridor• Typically 35 to 45 mph “commercial” speeds Typically 35 to 45 mph “commercial” speeds

• Focus on Longer-Distance, Regional Travel MarketsFocus on Longer-Distance, Regional Travel Markets• 20- to 50-mile line lengths20- to 50-mile line lengths• Stops typically spaced every one to four milesStops typically spaced every one to four miles• Heavy reliance on park-ride accessHeavy reliance on park-ride access

• Joint Use of Existing Railroad InfrastructureJoint Use of Existing Railroad Infrastructure– Emphasis on fewer, longer trainsEmphasis on fewer, longer trains– FRA vs. FTA regulatory environmentFRA vs. FTA regulatory environment

What is Commuter Rail?What is Commuter Rail?

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502 502

Transit Productive CapacityTransit Productive CapacityFrom: Vukan R. VuchicFrom: Vukan R. Vuchic

Urban Public Transportation: Systems & TechnologyUrban Public Transportation: Systems & Technology


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Station Spacing: 20 to 30 miles System Extent: 50 to 300 miles+Station Spacing: 20 to 30 miles System Extent: 50 to 300 miles+Maximum Speed: 110 mph Average Speed (with stops): 55 mphMaximum Speed: 110 mph Average Speed (with stops): 55 mph

Light RailLight Rail

Station Spacing: ½ to 1 mile System Extent: 15 to 20 milesStation Spacing: ½ to 1 mile System Extent: 15 to 20 milesMaximum Speed: 65 mph Average Speed (with stops): 25 mphMaximum Speed: 65 mph Average Speed (with stops): 25 mph

903

502

Commuter RailCommuter Rail

Station Spacing: 2 to 4 miles System Extent: 20 to 75 milesStation Spacing: 2 to 4 miles System Extent: 20 to 75 milesMaximum Speed: 79 mph Average Speed (with stops): 45 mphMaximum Speed: 79 mph Average Speed (with stops): 45 mph

Intercity RailIntercity Rail


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• Most cost-effective transit mode in areas of Most cost-effective transit mode in areas of lower residential densitieslower residential densities

Focus on Regional Travel MarketsFocus on Regional Travel Markets

SourceSource:: Delaware Transit CorporationDelaware Transit CorporationFive-Year Business Management PlanFive-Year Business Management Plan(2001)(2001)

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• Heavy reliance on park-ride accessHeavy reliance on park-ride access


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• Moderate influence on transit supportive land usesModerate influence on transit supportive land uses

RapidRapidRailRail

LightLightRailRail

CommuterCommuterRailRail

BusBus DemandDemandManagementManagement

HIGHHIGHStrongStrong

need forneed forsupportivesupportive

policiespolicies HIGHHIGHZone of Zone of

influence influence narrower narrower

than than rapid railrapid rail

MODERATEMODERATEInfluence Influence

proportionalproportionalto serviceto service

LOWLOWSupportiveSupportive

but not but not induciveinducive

LOWLOWSupportiveSupportive

but notbut not inducive inducive

INFLUENCE

HI

LO


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Joint Use of Railroad InfrastructureJoint Use of Railroad Infrastructure

Sharing railroad Sharing railroad facilities can:facilities can:• Reduce start-up Reduce start-up and on-going and on-going O&M costsO&M costs

• Restrict service Restrict service frequencies and frequencies and growthgrowth–Often results Often results in fewer, in fewer, longer trainslonger trains

1010

Joint Use of Railroad InfrastructureJoint Use of Railroad Infrastructure

Shared facilities with railroads results in FRA regulation:Shared facilities with railroads results in FRA regulation:• Prescriptive safety, operating & rolling stock requirementsPrescriptive safety, operating & rolling stock requirements

–Results in larger, heavier rolling stock than other modesResults in larger, heavier rolling stock than other modes–Leads to less frequent, longer train service strategyLeads to less frequent, longer train service strategy

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Multiple Rolling Choices Multiple Rolling Choices • Locomotive-Hauled or Locomotive-Hauled or

Self-Propelled (“MU”) Self-Propelled (“MU”) CoachesCoaches

• Electric or “Diesel”Electric or “Diesel”– ““Diesel” actuallyDiesel” actually

“Diesel-Electric”“Diesel-Electric”• FRA Compliant FRA Compliant

or Notor Not

Commuter Rail Rolling StockCommuter Rail Rolling Stock

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Locomotive with Superliner CoachesLocomotive with Superliner Coaches(Intercity Amtrak Train)(Intercity Amtrak Train)Locomotive with Superliner CoachesLocomotive with Superliner Coaches(Intercity Amtrak Train)(Intercity Amtrak Train)


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Locomotive withLocomotive withSingle Level Push-PullSingle Level Push-PullCoachesCoaches

Locomotive withLocomotive withSingle Level Push-PullSingle Level Push-PullCoachesCoaches


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Locomotive withLocomotive with“Bi-Level” Push-Pull Coaches“Bi-Level” Push-Pull CoachesLocomotive withLocomotive with“Bi-Level” Push-Pull Coaches“Bi-Level” Push-Pull Coaches


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Locomotive withLocomotive with““Tri-Level” Push-Pull CoachesTri-Level” Push-Pull Coaches

Locomotive withLocomotive with““Tri-Level” Push-Pull CoachesTri-Level” Push-Pull Coaches


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Diesel-Electric or Diesel-Electric or Electric LocomotivesElectric LocomotivesDiesel-Electric or Diesel-Electric or Electric LocomotivesElectric Locomotives


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Self-Propelled Electric CoachesSelf-Propelled Electric Coaches(“EMU”)(“EMU”)

Self-Propelled Electric CoachesSelf-Propelled Electric Coaches(“EMU”)(“EMU”)


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Self-Propelled Diesel CoachesSelf-Propelled Diesel Coaches(“DMU”)(“DMU”)

Self-Propelled Diesel CoachesSelf-Propelled Diesel Coaches(“DMU”)(“DMU”)


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Self-Propelled Diesel Coaches (“DMU”)Self-Propelled Diesel Coaches (“DMU”)• Single-LevelSingle-Level• Bi-LevelBi-Level

Self-Propelled Diesel Coaches (“DMU”)Self-Propelled Diesel Coaches (“DMU”)• Single-LevelSingle-Level• Bi-LevelBi-Level


2020


Non-Compliant DMUsNon-Compliant DMUs• Allowable, but…Allowable, but…• Involved FRA ProcessInvolved FRA Process• Constrained ServiceConstrained Service

Option for Light Branch LinesOption for Light Branch Lines• South Jersey, OttawaSouth Jersey, Ottawa

Austin, San DiegoAustin, San Diego

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It depends…It depends…

What’s the What’s the best choice?best choice?

Commuter RailCommuter Rail

Commuter Rail OverviewCommuter Rail Overview

commuter rail overview. 2 heritage systems (pre-1985) seattle montréal miami vancouver los angeles...

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