Streetcar alternatives - Revision history

Rabiabonour at 16:43, 16 April 2017

2017-04-16T16:43:22Z

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	[[File:MPLS-Streetcar.jpg\|right\|thumb\|350px\|Rendering of a proposed streetcar in Minneapolis, MN.]]		[[File:MPLS-Streetcar.jpg\|right\|thumb\|350px\|Rendering of a proposed streetcar in Minneapolis, MN.]]
	==Introduction==		==Introduction==

BK: added photo

2015-04-22T19:52:34Z

added photo

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:52, 22 April 2015
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			[[File:MPLS-Streetcar.jpg\|right\|thumb\|350px\|Rendering of a proposed streetcar in Minneapolis, MN.]]
	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
	Thanks to the recent revival of neighborhoods served by streetcars in cities like Portland, Oregon, there’s a common conception that streetcars are a magic development bullet. The conventional wisdom suggests that the presence of “rails in the ground” sends a signal to developers that the transit infrastructure in question is permanent, while buses lack this sense of permanence. Like any claim of cause and effect, this assertion should be viewed skeptically on a number of grounds.		Thanks to the recent revival of neighborhoods served by streetcars in cities like Portland, Oregon, there’s a common conception that streetcars are a magic development bullet. The conventional wisdom suggests that the presence of “rails in the ground” sends a signal to developers that the transit infrastructure in question is permanent, while buses lack this sense of permanence. Like any claim of cause and effect, this assertion should be viewed skeptically on a number of grounds.

BK: lowered caps to link to proper page

2015-04-22T19:19:02Z

lowered caps to link to proper page

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:19, 22 April 2015
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	* '''Iconic vehicles and livery''' can help better brand bus service to make it more recognizable and legible to the community.		* '''Iconic vehicles and livery''' can help better brand bus service to make it more recognizable and legible to the community.
	* '''Articulated buses''' can provide much of the capacity benefits of a streetcar.		* '''Articulated buses''' can provide much of the capacity benefits of a streetcar.
	* '''[[Alternative ~~Fuel Vehicles~~]]''' such as Natural Gas or Electric Buses to reduce noise and/or emissions.		* '''[[Alternative fuel vehicles]]''' such as Natural Gas or Electric Buses to reduce noise and/or emissions.

	===Service enhancements===		===Service enhancements===

BK: linked alternative fuel vehicles

2015-04-22T19:18:37Z

linked alternative fuel vehicles

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:18, 22 April 2015
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	* '''Iconic vehicles and livery''' can help better brand bus service to make it more recognizable and legible to the community.		* '''Iconic vehicles and livery''' can help better brand bus service to make it more recognizable and legible to the community.
	* '''Articulated buses''' can provide much of the capacity benefits of a streetcar.		* '''Articulated buses''' can provide much of the capacity benefits of a streetcar.
	* '''~~Electric or natural gas~~''' ~~buses~~ to reduce noise and/or emissions.		* '''[[Alternative Fuel Vehicles]]''' such as Natural Gas or Electric Buses to reduce noise and/or emissions.

	===Service enhancements===		===Service enhancements===

Amiller at 22:48, 10 September 2012

2012-09-10T22:48:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:48, 10 September 2012
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	* Specialized routes		* Specialized routes

	==~~Notes~~==		==References==
	<references/>		<references/>

	[[Category:Investment and planning]]		[[Category:Investment and planning]]

Amiller at 22:47, 10 September 2012

2012-09-10T22:47:48Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:47, 10 September 2012
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	==Introduction==		==Introduction==
			Thanks to the recent revival of neighborhoods served by streetcars in cities like Portland, Oregon, there’s a common conception that streetcars are a magic development bullet. The conventional wisdom suggests that the presence of “rails in the ground” sends a signal to developers that the transit infrastructure in question is permanent, while buses lack this sense of permanence. Like any claim of cause and effect, this assertion should be viewed skeptically on a number of grounds.
	Thanks to recent revival of neighborhoods served by streetcars in cities like Portland, Oregon, there’s a common conception that streetcars are a magic development bullet. The conventional wisdom suggests that the presence of “rails in the ground” sends a signal to developers that the transit infrastructure in question is permanent, while buses lack this sense of permanence. Like any claim of cause and effect, this assertion should be viewed skeptically on a number of grounds.

	Foremost, new streetcars are typically accompanied with a number of other public investments in the street-scape that are independent from the vehicle technology, i.e. transit stop enhancements like improved shelters, signage and aesthetic features; these other investments could help explain investments by the private sector. Furthermore, many of these street-scape enhancements could be implemented just as easily to enhance existing bus service to obtain virtually all of the mobility benefits. Various treatments associated with BRT can provide a transit experience that is similar -- if not identical -- to streetcar service at a fraction of the cost of embedding rails in the streets and installing overhead wires.		Foremost, new streetcars are typically accompanied with a number of other public investments in the street-scape that are independent from the vehicle technology, i.e. transit stop enhancements like improved shelters, signage and aesthetic features; these other investments could help explain investments by the private sector. Furthermore, many of these street-scape enhancements could be implemented just as easily to enhance existing bus service to obtain virtually all of the mobility benefits. Various treatments associated with BRT can provide a transit experience that is similar -- if not identical -- to streetcar service at a fraction of the cost of embedding rails in the streets and installing overhead wires.
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	*'''Exclusive travel lanes''' principally reduce costs for agencies and improve service by allowing transit vehicles to bypass congested corridors without traffic delay. Transit-only lanes can also reduce conflicts between transit vehicles and other traffic, i.e. lane changes and turning movements.		*'''Exclusive travel lanes''' principally reduce costs for agencies and improve service by allowing transit vehicles to bypass congested corridors without traffic delay. Transit-only lanes can also reduce conflicts between transit vehicles and other traffic, i.e. lane changes and turning movements.
	*'''~~Signal~~ priority''' systems provide transit vehicles with preferential treatment at intersections, extending green lights for approaching transit vehicles and shortening red light cycles for stopped transit vehicles. The system typically works via transponders on transit vehicles that communicate the vehicle's position to the traffic signal.		*'''[[Transit signal priority (TSP)]]''' systems provide transit vehicles with preferential treatment at intersections, extending green lights for approaching transit vehicles and shortening red light cycles for stopped transit vehicles. The system typically works via transponders on transit vehicles that communicate the vehicle's position to the traffic signal.

	===Station stop enhancements===		===Station stop enhancements===
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	===Vehicle enhancements===		===Vehicle enhancements===

	Use of special vehicles		Use of special vehicles
	* '''Iconic vehicles and livery''' can help better brand bus service to make it more recognizable and legible to the community.		* '''Iconic vehicles and livery''' can help better brand bus service to make it more recognizable and legible to the community.
	* '''Articulated buses''' can provide much of the capacity benefits of a streetcar.		* '''Articulated buses''' can provide much of the capacity benefits of a streetcar.
	* Electric or natural gas buses to reduce noise and/or emissions		* '''Electric or natural gas''' buses to reduce noise and/or emissions.

	===Service enhancements===		===Service enhancements===

	Enhancements to the frequency and duration of service, or specialized routes to serve certain corridors.		Enhancements to the frequency and duration of service, or specialized routes to serve certain corridors.
	* Increased frequency		* Increased frequency

Jmatute at 18:24, 31 July 2012

2012-07-31T18:24:17Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:24, 31 July 2012
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	==Notes==		==Notes==
	<references/>		<references/>
	[[Category:Investment and planning ~~effectiveness~~]]		[[Category:Investment and planning]]

Jmatute at 19:00, 30 July 2012

2012-07-30T19:00:35Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:00, 30 July 2012
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	==Notes==		==Notes==
	<references/>		<references/>
	[[Category:~~Capital~~ planning ~~and project delivery~~]]		[[Category:Investment and planning effectiveness]]

Crubin: /* Vehicle enhancements */

2012-03-01T23:51:19Z

Vehicle enhancements

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:51, 1 March 2012
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	Use of special vehicles		Use of special vehicles
	* Iconic vehicles or livery to better brand service		* '''Iconic vehicles and livery''' can help better brand bus service to make it more recognizable and legible to the community.
	* Articulated buses ~~for increased~~ capacity		* '''Articulated buses''' can provide much of the capacity benefits of a streetcar.
	* Electric or natural gas buses to reduce noise and/or emissions		* Electric or natural gas buses to reduce noise and/or emissions

Crubin at 23:32, 1 March 2012

2012-03-01T23:32:49Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:32, 1 March 2012
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	Enhancements to the transit stop/station can [[improve out-of-vehicle experience for transit users]] and increase the sense of permanence.		Enhancements to the transit stop/station can [[improve out-of-vehicle experience for transit users]] and increase the sense of permanence.

	* '''Shelters''' and other street furniture		* '''Shelters''' and other street furniture provide a more pleasant waiting environment for transit patrons.
	* '''Level boarding'''		* '''Level boarding''' facilitates faster and easier boarding, especially for those with limited physical mobility.
	* '''Curb extensions'''		* '''Curb extensions''' allows the bus to pick up and drop off passengers without having to pull out of and back into traffic.

	===Vehicle enhancements===		===Vehicle enhancements===