Light Rail Boom

[M II A II R II K]

Want a new tram? Ask the Chinese

Read More: http://www.theguardian.com/public-le...ia-uk-councils

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The African project, the first fully electrified tram service in sub-Saharan Africa, was funded in part by China’s Exim Bank and built by the China Railway Group. China is making a huge investment across the continent. Indeed, in another part of Addis Ababa, the monumental headquarters of the Africa Union was entirely funded by China as a gift. A gift costing £127m.

- It is little wonder that as George Osborne continues his tour of China to rustle up investment in the UK economy, local government leaders are an eager part of his entourage. The northern powerhouse won’t fund itself, and Osborne’s enthusiasm for devolving greater funding to local regions does not extend to overruling Network Rail’s cancellation of electrification of northern rail links. So who can blame northern council bosses for going cap in hand to the Chinese.

- It’s not the first time local government has looked east. In July, delegations from Leeds city council, Manchester city council and the Greater Manchester combined authority went with the prime minister on his trade mission to Singapore and Malaysia. But the northern councillors and officials will need sharp elbows. Others around the globe have also realised the potential. In January, it was announced that Singapore would build a brand-new city in India, 10 times its own size.

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[anday]

The U.S. a leader in LRT? Believe it

Take a wild guess: Since the turn of the century, what nation has opened more new light rail and streetcar systems than any other on earth? Germany? Nein. Italy? No. China? 否. France? Non. Russia? Нет. Japan? いいえ. IThe Netherlands? Nr. It’s actually (drumroll please) . . . . . the United States of America.

http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/...elieve-it.html

[M II A II R II K]

• Video Link

[Nouvellecosse]

^ I didn't know the streetcars had batteries in them.

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by anday

The U.S. a leader in LRT? Believe it




http://www.railwayage.com/index.php/...elieve-it.html

Well, the only reason China ISN'T the leader here is because they've chosen to go with heavy rail metro for almost all cities instead. They've built a few LRT systems, mostly in smaller cities, but large cities are all metro.

[natiboy]

Power switch goes on for streetcar Tuesday

Cincinnati's streetcar is scheduled to start running in the streets with traffic on Tuesday morning.

The main testing phase is set to begin at 9 a.m., when the electric-powered streetcar will be driven along the Over-the-Rhine portion of the route. Testing will continue on Wednesday and Thursday, starting at 9 a.m. both days.

No road closures or police escorts are planned as part of this test, which is meant to simulate traffic conditions.

Source: http://www.cincinnati.com/story/news...sday/75472994/

And some pics from the dead pull on Sunday!



Photos from: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/inde...957.26915.html

[M II A II R II K]

http://www.infoblizzard.com/the-blog...me-on-thursday


• Video Link

[Chef]

The Green Line between Minneapolis and St Paul set new ridership records in September with 45,644 daily rides, which is well ahead of the 2030 projection of 41,000. October's numbers look to be slightly higher but haven't been finalized yet.

http://www.startribune.com/green-lin...des/332785241/

[Eightball]

^^^ Amazing! Cheers to MSP St Paul

[M II A II R II K]

Super-size my tram: 45-metre trams foreshadowed for Melbourne's busiest routes

Read More: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/su...20-gl3uoh.html

Melbourne's future will be one in which giant trams almost as long as Olympic swimming pools glide along crowded inner city streets where tram tracks were first laid for streetcars no bigger than an ordinary bus.

The next generation of trams will be an imposing 45 metres in length - 12 metres longer than the new E-Class trams that are being steadily rolled out and more than three times longer than the old W-Class trams that still rattle around the city centre. Built to carry about 300 passengers, the jumbo trams are part of Public Transport Victoria's future plans to handle rapid patronage growth on Melbourne's tram system, which is increasing at 3.6 per cent a year. Exactly when they will hit the network is unclear, but PTV could easily pull the trigger on their introduction. E-Class trams have a modular design that can be extended by adding a fourth compartment to their current three.

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[M II A II R II K]

Can Jerusalem’s Light Rail Pull the City’s Past Into the Future?

Read More: http://www.citiesofthefuture.eu/can-...to-the-future/

Since 2011, the controversial Jerusalem Light Rail system has been a driving force behind the renewal and reintegration of some areas of the old city. In addition, the scheduled Jerusalem Business District is being planned to pave the way for the city’s future economic health.

- Inaugurated in August 2011, the first light rail line in Israel has been a source of contention right from the start — financial, physical, and political. The budget for the project climbed dramatically from an initial estimate of €120 million to a final cost of around €925 million. The construction caused major disruptions in the city’s traffic flow and generated elevated levels of air and sound pollution that were vocally criticized by residents.

- And a 2009 report by the United Nations Human Rights Council described the new infrastructure as serving disputed settlements. Fast forward to 2015 and the light rail moves around 140,000 passengers a day and has since become the heart of Jerusalem’s transportation network, connecting Muslim, Ultra-Orthodox and Israeli communities. Before the light rail started operating, the heart of the city was slowing emptying out.

- This first light rail line, scheduled to grow to a seven-line system in the next 15 years, has had another interesting effect. Its route is helping to reintegrate the Muslim and Ultra-Orthodox minorities into the social and economic fabric of Jerusalem. In a city with a population of around 810,000, moving more than 17% of the population each day on a single line is a significant achievement.

- The plan is for this business district to become an innovative new quarter and is designed to be Jerusalem’s flagship project in coming years. The business district will be divided into two areas: an integrated public transport hub, connecting a central bus station, light rail station with three lines, and underground train station; and the new business district that will include centers for business, conventions, government, culture and hospitality.

- Despite the bumpy introduction of Jerusalem’s light rail, in the world of urban planning it is reassuring to see how a single project can transform a city. In this case, the train line threaded together different parts of the city and helped unite cultures and religions that did not mix easily, while gradually bonding the old and the new. None of this happened without resistance. But it may yet prove to be a train that grabs the past and fosters a better future.

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[M II A II R II K]

RTC unveils long-ranging transportation plan that includes light rail

Read More: http://lasvegassun.com/news/2015/dec...ion-plan-that/

Southern Nevada tourism leaders on Monday unveiled an ambitious, multibillion-dollar transit plan that could make substantial upgrades to the way people move around Las Vegas over the next few decades, including through the creation of a light rail system.

The 30-year transit plan released by the Regional Transportation Commission proposes light rail in the resort corridor, an expanded monorail that would connect the major convention centers and various roadway improvements, among other projects. Officials from the transportation commission and other local leaders discussed the initiative, known formally as the Transportation Investment Business Plan, with reporters Monday.

The goal is to prevent the Las Vegas area’s roadways from becoming overwhelmed by the anticipated growth in visitation and resident population in future years. It’s also intended to diversify the economy and keep Southern Nevada on pace with other areas that have made major investments in transportation. It comes with a big price tag. Even without factoring in the funding necessary to actually build and maintain the light rail system, the plan is projected to cost from $7 billion to $12 billion.

- If it does all come together, however, the transit proposals would have a projected total economic impact of $56 billion to $178 billion, and they could create as many as 122,000 jobs, according to the commission. Light rail planning and design estimates were factored into the overall cost figures, but construction, operation and maintenance were not. The plan anticipates that such a system could receive as much as 46 percent of its funds from the federal government and would be an attractive opportunity for private partnership.

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The Regional Transportation Commission proposals focus on the central part of the valley, or what the transit plan calls the “core area.”

[M II A II R II K]

How to Build a Streetcar That Works

Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/10/op...hat-works.html

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The faster and more dependable a streetcar line, the more time it will save riders, and the more likely people will choose it rather than polluting, expensive and congestion-producing options like personal automobiles or Uber.

- The Paris region’s roughly 65-mile streetcar system, mostly completed over the past decade, shows how appealing quick-moving streetcars can be. Carefully chosen routes with very frequent arrivals and reliable service connect areas that previously had poor transit service. The trams save time, so riders make over 900,000 trips each day — far more than on the 117-mile Washington Metro train network, for example.

- Other practices can also effectively reduce travel times for streetcar users. At intersections, stoplights should automatically turn green (or be prevented from turning red) when trams approach. Just as important, New York should limit the number of streetcar stations. Portland, Ore., is eliminating stops along a streetcar line to quicken service, allowing trains to spend more time moving and less time picking up riders.

- Fast transit can play an important role in reducing inequities. The commutes of New Yorkers vary greatly based on where they live, and residents of poor neighborhoods are about 40 percent more likely to have long commutes than their wealthy counterparts. Their limited access to jobs and other opportunities reinforces their already-diminished economic condition. It is just as vital to get the streetcar’s route right.

- Rather than connecting to existing subway stations in places like Sunset Park, Gowanus and Williamsburg, the streetcar as now designed would force riders to walk several blocks to transfer. To reduce travel times, the streetcar must make those connections. Similarly, passengers should be provided free transfers from buses and the subway to the streetcar to encourage riders to incorporate it into their trips.

- Finally, development policies should support the use of the streetcar. In many neighborhoods along the planned route, zoning law severely restricts the scale of buildings allowed (and therefore potential riders) and requires developments to include a significant number of parking spaces (which in turn encourages driving). Chicago has begun a smart strategy to promote the right kind of development near transit: A 2015 zoning reform increases allowed building size and reduces the number of mandated parking spaces.

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[animatedmartian]

Ann Arbor's hopping on the train to light rail.

Light rail system with cost up to $700 million proposed in Ann Arbor
By Ryan Stanton. MLive Ann Arbor. February 24, 2016.



Local leaders on Wednesday discussed plans for a potentially $500-$700 million light rail system connecting Ann Arbor's busiest areas.
That includes the downtown and the University of Michigan's Central Campus, North Campus and Medical Center.

It also would go out Plymouth Road to a new Plymouth and Green park-and-ride lot, and eventually, as part of a future phase, extend south to Briarwood Mall.

"The Connector offers a transformative opportunity for the community and campuses by providing better transit access to downtown, important U-M destinations and job centers, and reducing dependence on adding more parking in core areas," Sue Gott, university planner, said in a statement.

The general idea for the Ann Arbor Connector has been around for years and has been the subject of much discussion and study, but now the vision is taking shape, and there's momentum around the idea of light rail.

Officials from the city, university, Ann Arbor Area Transportation Authority and Downtown Development Authority gathered on U-M's campus on Wednesday to announce new details about the project, including the recommended mode of transportation, cost estimates, and route information.

The proposed light rail system would go in a dedicated lane, embedded largely into existing roads.

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Officials emphasize the project is still in the early planning stages, and they're seeking public support.

They say it would require an estimated $500-$700 million in capital costs, paid for by a combination of federal and state dollars, the university, public-private partnerships, fares, local funding sources and innovative funding strategies.

If the project is approved to move forward and funded, it's still an estimated six to 12 years away from being operational.

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http://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor/...t_rail_sy.html

[Cirrus]

^
This would make Ann Arbor the smallest US urbanized area with light rail.

Ann Arbor is the 125th largest UA, with about 300,000 people. The current smallest light rail city is Buffalo at 900,000. There are some smaller streetcar cities.

[animatedmartian]

Originally Posted by Cirrus

^
This would make Ann Arbor the smallest US urbanized area with light rail.

Ann Arbor is the 125th largest UA, with about 300,000 people. The current smallest light rail city is Buffalo at 900,000. There are some smaller streetcar cities.

Yea I was thinking about that as I was posting the story but didn't know where to confirm it. If the route extended a couple of miles or so from either ends right now, it would extend into exurban/semi-rural areas. I'm pretty curious on what effect that'll have for the development of the area as it's currently exploding with SFH subdivisions.

[M II A II R II K]

Maryland chooses private team to build, operate light-rail Purple Line

Read More: https://www.washingtonpost.com/local...9ad_story.html

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan (R) announced Wednesday that the state has chosen a team of private companies to build, operate and maintain a light-rail Purple Line in the Washington suburbs for $3.3 billion over 36 years.

- If approved by the state’s Board of Public Works on April 6, the contract would allow the Maryland Transit Administration to secure about $900 million in recommended federal construction aid. That would put the final funding in place to build the region’s first suburb-to-suburb rail link. The Purple Line also would be the first rail line to connect spokes of the Metrorail system, which was designed to carry federal workers between suburbs and the city.

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[a very long weekend]

http://www.bizjournals.com/sacrament...acramento.html

The Sacramento streetcar project received some welcome news on Tuesday. But the plan to lay down tracks for a 3.3-mile line through downtown Sacramento and West Sacramento still hinges on successful local fundraising.

BEN VAN DER MEER | SACRAMENTO BUSINESS JOURNAL

Back in June, when streetcar supporters lost a bid to raise property taxes to pay for the system, the federal government had tentatively approved its matching share of funding. But since then, local project advocates have submitted environmental documents and updated ridership estimates, and the federal government announced this week that the project had moved to the front of the line of projects awaiting federal funding.

City Councilman Steve Hansen, who represents downtown Sacramento, said supporters are still feverishly working to raise up to $30 million to fill the remaining shortfall. One plan under consideration is to ask property owners — not residents — to finance the remaining share with higher property taxes. That mail-in vote could come together at any time.
“Now we need to get across the finish line,” said Hansen.
A crucial element of the streetcar financing plan failed in June after a majority of the nearly 4,000 residents living near the proposed line voted against a property tax hike.

[Swede]

Originally Posted by animatedmartian

Yea I was thinking about that as I was posting the story but didn't know where to confirm it. If the route extended a couple of miles or so from either ends right now, it would extend into exurban/semi-rural areas. I'm pretty curious on what effect that'll have for the development of the area as it's currently exploding with SFH subdivisions.

That could create interesting effects. If combined with New Urbanist TODs at stations in those outer areas it could help people see that car sprawl isn't the only way to do suburbs.

[M II A II R II K]

KC ready for Friday’s streetcar grand opening

Read More: http://www.kansascity.com/news/local...e75821757.html

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As many as 50,000 people are expected downtown Friday and Saturday for a whole host of festivities and activities associated with the streetcar grand opening and along the 2.2-mile route from River Market to Union Station.

- “The streetcar is so much more than a mode of transportation. It’s a signal of our city’s willingness to be bold and to reinvent itself,” Mayor Sly James said in a statement. “This moment has been a long time coming. Downtown business owners and residents were patient during the construction and now they’ll have a chance to celebrate and enjoy this incredible asset.”

- Three streetcars will run up and down the full route. People are urged not to just ride the entire route continuously but to take time to exit at stops to explore neighborhood activities, businesses and shops. The fourth streetcar in the fleet will be at Union Station for people to check out the interior without riding it. Information on the “Smart City” initiative along the route, including interactive kiosks and free public WiFi, will be available at a Smart City Village site, 1200 Main St.

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Video Link