LIGHT RAIL THE ROTTERDAM APPROACH, DEVELOPED FROM A METRO

As suburban development of Rotterdam evolved from high-rise to dense low-rise patterns, the original plan to serve the growing areas with a full rapid transit service were altered to use primarily light rail on surface alignments. Because third-rail was unacceptable on surface routes, the cars were then designed to use pantograph collection of the surface and third rail in tunnels. These cars also had to be capable of subway operation without restriction, fully interchangeable with existing rapid transit cars, and to be able to operate on the surface, including traversing highway grade crossings. Details of the cars, stations, crossings signaling and operating procedures are given. The combined rapid-transit/light-rail system has operated successfully for over a year with ridership even exceeding projections. With light rail successfully applied, two similar line extensions are now planned.

• Authors:
  • Visser, D A
  • Verboeket, M M
• Publication Date: 1984

Media Info

• Pagination: p. 346-350
• Serial:
  • UITP REVUE
  • Volume: 33
  • Issue Number: 4

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: At grade intersections; Axles; Catenary wires; Coordination; Light rail vehicles; Public transit; Railroad stations; Rapid transit; Structural design; Third rail; Vehicle design
• Uncontrolled Terms: Integrated transportation systems
• Geographic Terms: Rotterdam (Netherlands)
• Old TRIS Terms: Axle design; Station design
• Subject Areas: Design; Public Transportation; Terminals and Facilities;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00394535
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: May 31 1985 12:00AM