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Streetcar and Light Rail Streetcar and Light Rail CharacteristicsCharacteristics
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Street Running: Alignment Options
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DUS
32nd32nd Ave
38th Ave
Par
k A
ve
Wewatta
38th Ave
DUS 1– LRT from DUS to Park Avenue to 38th Avenue
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38th Ave
DUS
32nd Ave
38th Ave
20 thSt
Tej
on
DUS 2– LRT from DUS to 20th Street to 38th Avenue
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DenverUnionStation
Existing rail corridor continues
38th Ave.
War
d Rd
.
Kipl
ing
St.
Wad
swor
th B
lvd.
Sher
idan
Blvd
.
Fede
ral B
lvd.
Peco
s St.
52nd Ave.
44th Ave.
58th/Ralston Rd.
38th Ave.
32nd Ave.29th Ave.
Harla
nColfax
Sim
ms
Mars
hall/L
amar
Tenn
yson
Lowe
ll
All routes explored for alternate LRT alignments
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Light Rail or Streetcar Decision Issues
Exclusive, semi-exclusive, or mixed-flow with traffic• Schedule includes delay• Street speed max ~ 30-35 mph• Can reach 45 mph if conditions allow
Exclusive or semi-exclusive right-of-way (limited mixed flow)• Single track in short distances if needed• Reliable schedules• Achieve max speed ~ 55 mph
Design
1 streetcar ~ 120 pass/car (can operate in 2-car consists if needed)• 5 min ~ max frequency (could be more frequent if needed)• 1,440 psgrs/hr (5,760 max)
1-4 car trains ~ 125 pass/car• 2-2.5 min ~ max frequency• 12,000 – 15,000 pass/hr
Capacity
Moderate capacity and demandSteady all day demandDiscreet routes ~ less demand
High capacity and demandStrong peak ~ commutersMultiple lines/same corridor
Purpose
StreetcarLight Rail
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Light Rail and Streetcar OperationCommon Characteristics
Block length ~ limits train size/number of carsWith short blocks ~ 1 or 2 car trains max
Environment
Length ~ varies based on demand: Streetcars ~ 50 -110+ feet; Light Rail ~ 80 - 95 feetWidth/Height: 7.5 to 10 ft wide, 10 to 13 ft highArticulated ~ bendable joint(s) ~ sections:Streetcars ~ multiple, up to 6; Light Rail ~ 2 to 3Older and "historic" streetcars not articulated Low floor vehicles ~ trend for new vehicles in most cities
Vehicles
Off vehicle ticket machines ~ most systemsSome on-board purchase ~ streetcar operation
Fare Payment
Same ~ standard gauge typical, others possibleTrack
Electric ~ overhead wire ~ 650 - 750 VdcPower
Light Rail and Streetcar
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Light Rail and Streetcar ServiceTypical Differences
min radius ~ <60 ftmin radius ~ >85 ftGeometry/curves
1 to 2 cars /120-2401 to 4 cars / 125 to 500 Trains / Capacity
2-3 blocks to 1/2 mile1/2 to 1 mile or moreStation Spacing
1,440-5,760 per hour1,000-7,500 per hourPeak Passengers
30/90 ~ 120 per car64/61 ~ 125 per carSeats / Standees
samepark/ride, bus, bike, walkMode of Access
limited by close station spacing ~ 25 - 35 mph (45 mph max)
with 1+ mile station spacing ~ 50 -60 mph
Speed
local/limited-stop - line haul or feeder
limited-stop/express -regional rapid transit
Operating Rationale
primarily mixed-flowprimarily exclusiveRight-of-Way
StreetcarLight Rail
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Light Rail and Streetcar ServiceTypical Differences
minormoderate to extensiveGrade separation
moderate demand throughout day
accommodate high peak demand
Service Plan
no duct bankduct bank requiredCommunication
shallow slab ~ 12 to 18 in.minor/no utility relocation
full depth ~ 3 to 6 ft. utilities relocated
Construction
on-site, with traffic signals, or signal priority
track signals, traffic signal pre-emption
Control
discreet lines/routesmultiple lines/routes over common tracks
Route Design
moderate capacity, moderate demand
high capacity, high demandFunction
StreetcarLight Rail
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Light Rail and Streetcar ServiceCity by City Examples
Hybrid
Light Rail
Streetcar
Type
Includes streetcar and light rail attributesSingle cars and multi-car trainsSubway or elevated in CBD or other activity centersExclusive surface ROWs and mixed-flow sectionsDesign/Operating constraints ~ based on most restrictiveelement in system (e.g. tight curves on street sections)
Primarily exclusive right-of-way ~ streets and corridors Moderate to extensive grade separation ~ short elevatedor underground sections
Primarily in-street operationSome exclusive ROW
Operating Characteristics
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Light Rail and Streetcar ServiceCity by City Examples
TorontoDenver – Welton segmentPittsburgh – AllentownPhiladelphia – Media, Sharon Hill, GirardPortlandTacomaNew Orleans
StreetcarBoston – Green LineCleveland – Blue/GreenPhiladelphia – Subway/SurfacePittsburghSan Francisco – Muni Metro
DenverLos Angeles – Blue, Green, YellowSan DiegoSan JoseSacramentoCalgaryEdmontonPortland – Blue, Red, YellowSalt LakeHoustonDallasSaint LouisMinneapolisBaltimoreJersey CityNewarkBuffalo
HybridLight Rail
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Streetcar Examples
TorontoTraditional Streetcar
• Center street alignment
• Std and artic vehicles
• In-street boarding above
• High floors – non-ADA
PortlandNeo-traditional Streetcar
• Side alignment
• Articulated vehicles
• Curbside boarding
• Low floors – ADA OK
ParisHigh-Capacity Streetcar
• Street median alignment
• Multi-articulated vehicles
• Platform boarding
• Low floors – ADA OK
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Hybrid Streetcar/Light Rail Examples
Hannover• Downtown subway
• Street median and mixed-flow sections
• Multi-articulated vehicles and low/high stairs
• Singles to 3-car trains
• High platforms subway & selected surface stops
Boston• Downtown subway
• Street median and mixed-flow sections
• Articulated and low-floor vehicles
• Singles to 3-car trains
• Low platforms in subway and surface
San Francisco• Downtown subway
• Street median and mixed-flow sections
• Articulated vehicles
• Singles to 3-car trains
• High platforms subway & selected surface stops
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Light Rail Examples
Salt Lake
• High floor vehicles
• Exclusive ROW
• 1-4 car trains
Portland
• Low and high floor vehicles
• Exclusive ROW
• 1-2 car trains
Houston
• Low floor vehicles
• Primarily Exclusive ROW
• 1-2 car trains
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Light Rail – Street Running Example: Portland Interstate Max
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Light Rail – Street Running Example: Portland Interstate Max
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Modern Streetcar Example:Portland
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Modern Streetcar Example:Portland
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Modern Streetcar Example:Tacoma