Difference between revisions of "Streetcar alternatives"
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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-scare 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. | 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-scare 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. | ||
| − | ==Right of way enhancements== | + | ==Strategies== |
| + | |||
| + | ===Right of way enhancements=== | ||
Enhancements to the right-of-way in which the vehicle travels to improve the speed and comfort of the ride. | Enhancements to the right-of-way in which the vehicle travels to improve the speed and comfort of the ride. | ||
| Line 10: | Line 12: | ||
* Grade separation of intersection | * Grade separation of intersection | ||
| − | ==Station stop enhancements== | + | ===Station stop enhancements=== |
Enhancements to the transit stop/station to [[improve the out-of-vehicle waiting experience]] and increase the sense of permanence | Enhancements to the transit stop/station to [[improve the out-of-vehicle waiting experience]] and increase the sense of permanence | ||
| Line 17: | Line 19: | ||
* Curb extensions | * Curb extensions | ||
| − | ==Vehicle enhancements== | + | ===Vehicle enhancements=== |
Use of special vehicles | Use of special vehicles | ||
| Line 23: | Line 25: | ||
* Articulated buses for increased capacity | * Articulated buses for increased capacity | ||
| − | ==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 | ||
Revision as of 23:29, 13 February 2012
Background
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-scare 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.
Strategies
Right of way enhancements
Enhancements to the right-of-way in which the vehicle travels to improve the speed and comfort of the ride.
- Exclusive travel lanes
- Grade separation of intersection
Station stop enhancements
Enhancements to the transit stop/station to improve the out-of-vehicle waiting experience and increase the sense of permanence
- Shelters
- Level boarding
- Curb extensions
Vehicle enhancements
Use of special vehicles
- Iconic vehicles or livery to better brand service
- Articulated buses for increased capacity
Service enhancements
Enhancements to the frequency and duration of service, or specialized routes to serve certain corridors
- Increased frequency
- Increased span of service
- Specialized routes