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Title:

Applying the Versatility of Streetcar Technology to North American Urban Transit
Cover of Applying the Versatility of Streetcar Technology to North American Urban Transit

Accession Number:

01044141

Record Type:

Component

Availability:

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Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515

Abstract:

This study examines emerging streetcar technology from the standpoint of best practices and versatility of deployment in Europe, Australia, and North America, and evaluates the potential for utilizing this mode more extensively, flexibly, and creatively in North American applications to enhance mobility and urban development. The cost of high-performance electric light rail transit, usually designed for higher-speed regional service, has climbed such that this mode is now often perceived as less accessible to the resources of smaller transit agencies or less suitable for some lower-traffic corridors. Streetcar technology, however—particularly the rapid streetcar concept—may offer some versatility in addressing these drawbacks, reducing the costs of new starts while providing higher levels of service than bus alternatives. Furthermore, streetcars may offer versatility for addressing the needs of cities to improve urban livability and fulfill urban redevelopment objectives. Prospects for the creative and versatile use of streetcar technology for meeting the needs of smaller urban areas and lower-traffic corridors for quality transit may be enhanced in the United States by the new Small Starts program for projects requiring less than $75 million in federal funding.

Monograph Accession #:

01044135

Language:

English

Authors:

Henry, Lyndon

Capital Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Pagination:

pp 561-578

Publication Date:

2007-1

Serial:

Transportation Research E-Circular

Issue Number: E-C112
Publisher: Transportation Research Board
ISSN: 0097-8515

Conference:

Light Rail Transit: A World of Applications and Opportunities. Joint International Light Rail Conference

Location: St. Louis Missouri, United States
Date: 2006-4-9 to 2006-4-11
Sponsors: Transportation Research Board; American Public Transportation Association; International Association of Public Transport (UITP)

Media Type:

Web

Features:

Figures (1) ; Photos (8) ; Tables (1)

Identifier Terms:

Small Starts Program

Geographic Terms:

Australia; Europe; North America

Subject Areas:

Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Society

Files:

TRIS, TRB

Last Modified:

May 15 2009 9:58PM

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