LIGHT RAIL FOR PORTLAND

The background of events leading to the reintroduction of light rail transport on a 23 km route in Portland, Oregon, is described. Portland has a small and congested central business district, and the freeway developments in the area have only increased this congestion. One proposed freeway scheme was withdrawn when a community association won a court action on the grounds that a 1969 report had been invalidated by changed circumstances. Alternatives, such as a "park and ride" scheme were tried unsuccessfully. Eventually a light rail option was approved on the grounds that it would be cost justified, when compared with other alternatives, in terms of its carrying capacity, operator-to-passenger ratio, capital costs and direct operating costs. The 1973 Federal Highway Act permits the diversion of road funds and taxes to finance transit developments, and the 92 per cent federal proportion of the road costs could become 80 per cent of the cost of the transit alternative. Work has already been started on the construction of the line, which will start from the streets of central Portland. Running speeds will average 25 mile/h, and cars will run at ten minute intervals during the day and at 20 to 30 minute intervals in the evenings and on Sundays. The service will be fully coordinated with the existing bus system. (TRRL)

• Corporate Authors:

  Ian Allan Limited

  Terminal House
  Shepperton, Middlesex  England  TW17 8AS
• Authors:
  • Price, J H
• Publication Date: 1981-11

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References;
• Pagination: p. 412-415
• Serial:
  • MODERN TRAMWAY AND LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT
  • Volume: 44
  • Issue Number: 527

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Alternatives analysis; Costs; Financing; Government funding; Itinerary; Light rail transit; Operating costs; Public transit; Railroad stations; Railroad tracks; Speed; Transportation planning; Trolley cars; Urban areas; Urban transportation; Vehicle capacity
• Geographic Terms: Portland (Oregon); United States
• ITRD Terms: 1251: Capacity (veh); 224: Cost; 244: Financing; 699: Itinerary; 221: Operating costs; 744: Public transport; 5408: Speed; 1095: Station (railway); 1284: Tram; 313: Urban area; 8122: USA
• Subject Areas: Finance; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Terminals and Facilities; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00348800
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• Files: ITRD, TRIS
• Created Date: Apr 28 1982 12:00AM