Provision of Expedited Rail Transit Service

The linear expansion (i.e., lengthening) of light rail transit (LRT) and rail rapid transit (RRT) lines causes a lengthening of trip times beyond what might be considered reasonable for these transit modes, and also impacts capacity along the line. Service patterns on most LRT and RRT double-track lines can generally be characterized as “plain vanilla,” i.e., all trains make all stops. The second edition of the "Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual" is one example of an emergent industry standard that makes no mention of express operations on LRT other than to note occasional use of “demand stops,” although several examples are available in current practice. More specifically, this document inadequately describes the benefits and methods of various types of express service, herein referred to as “expedited” service. In fact, various forms of expedited service have historically been provided on two-track systems, and a number of such significant operations exist today. This paper presents the methods, benefits, and system design (i.e., track, station, signaling) characteristics that are essential if expedited services are to be provided. It suggests that further research be conducted into documenting current expedited service practices and their benefits for incorporation into future editions of the manual. It particularly suggests that more attention be focused on the importance of the relationship between rail systems and railway operations in network design.

• Record URL:
  http://www.trb.org/Publications/Blurbs/155725.aspx
• 
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/00978515
• Authors:
  • Fazio, Alfred E
• 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
• Publication Date: 2007-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 194-213
• Monograph Title: Joint International Light Rail Conference: A World of Applications and Opportunities, April 9-11, 2006, St. Louis, Missouri
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Circular
  • Issue Number: E-C112
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0097-8515

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Express service; Light rail transit; Line extensions (Rail transit); Rapid transit; System design
• Identifier Terms: Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual
• Subject Areas: Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01044152
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Mar 15 2007 10:01AM