RESUSCITATING AN OLD TROLLEY SYSTEM

The proposed project qualifies for special demonstration funding for several reasons. It is novel in a broad sense because it is the first known domestic attempt to install an LRT line in a densely populated old industrial city with only a few wide streets available for improved surface transit. The upgraded transit and reconstructed highway and utility facilities would be evaluated to determine whether they slowed the process of disinvestment or sped up reinvestment in the neighborhoods along the route, or both. As alluded to earlier, the trolley infrastructure is totally depleted so timely reconstruction of the route under normal UMTA Section 3 or 9 grants would tend to displace other pressing capital needs, particularly on the commuter rail system. The project would cost about $60 million including 24 new LRV's, new trolley tracks within a raised yet paved segregated right-of-way where possible, passenger boarding platforms, new highway and parking lanes, new curbing and utilities where required, an overhead traction power system with underground feeder cable ducts, a transit preferential signal system and other traffic engineering hardware, plus selected tree plantings. The cost at first blush seems high, but considering the many years of deferred maintenance and the project's useful life of 30 plus years, it is not inordinate. (Author)

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/state-of-the-art/2/2-018.pdf
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309039177
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appeared in Transportation Research Board State-of-the-Art Report 2, Light Rail Transit: System Design for Cost-Effectiveness. Presented at the Conference on Light Rail Transit held May 8-10, 1985, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Bailey, J A
  • Zearfoss, C
• Conference:
  • Conference on Light Rail Transit
  • Location: Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, United States
  • Date: 1985-5-8 to 1985-5-10
• Publication Date: 1985

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 113-120
• Monograph Title: Light rail transit: system design for cost-effectiveness
• Serial:
  • State-of-the-Art Report
  • Issue Number: 2
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0892-6891

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Driver rehabilitation; Highway design; Light rail transit; Private property; Right of way (Land); Streetcars; Traffic lanes; Transportation planning; Urban transportation
• Identifier Terms: Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority; Urban Mass Transportation Act
• Uncontrolled Terms: Rehabilitation
• Old TRIS Terms: Umta section 3; Umta section 9
• Subject Areas: Design; Economics; Highways; Operations and Traffic Management; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation; Railroads; Society; I72: Traffic and Transport Planning;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457394
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309039177
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Jul 31 1986 12:00AM