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Light Rail Transit Design Regulations and General Specifications

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Light Rail Transit Design Regulations and General Specifications Austin Becker, Tyler Book, Alex Jung, Aaron Rippstein, Alex Shumakh, A.J Wehr, and Kyle Yu CVE 5001 Senior Design Fall Semester 2013 Niehoff Urban Studio Movement in the City - Wasson Way Research Light Rail Transit Design Regulations and General Specifications IMPLEMENTATION • In order to implement a light rail system in an urban environment: • Large Financial Investment Required ($Hundreds of Millions) • Perform a Cost-Benefit Analysis on transit system • Economic analysis • Perform a Multi-Criteria Analysis on transit system • Social analysis DESIGN • Environmental analysis • Types of Light Rail Vehicles • Unidirectional vs. Bi-directional LEGAL ISSUES Non-Articulated vs. Articulated • • Noise Restrictions High Floor vs. Low Floor vs. • • Apply to residential, manufacture, 70% Low-Floor and commercial zones Types of rails used • • Maximum noise Tee Rails vs. Groove Rails vs. • permitted is 55 to 75 Shared Track with Freight decibels (based on Railroad zones and day) Bolted Rails vs. Continues • • Right of Way Regulations Welded Rails • Right of Way distances will depend on zoning and existing conditions of the specific area SAFETY • American Disabilities Act (ADA) Regulations • Providing fair practice and • Highway/Rail Crossing serviceability in public • Rail Safety Inspection transportation to people with • Trespass Incident Safety disabilities • Implementing new technology ECONOMICS • Economic Advantages: HUMAN FACTORS • Job Creation / Opportunities • Pleasing to Commuters & Community • Air Pollution Reduction • Restrooms and Rest Areas • Economic Disadvantages: • Picnic/Recreation Areas • Annual Operating Cost outweigh • Physical Conditions annual revenue • Location may not be suitable for • Buses are on average more many commuters economical • Does not run through/into city • No significant evidence, property • XU students may use often value increases with train system • Parking at hubs may be difficult • Accessibility • People must be able to board cars • ADA requirements must be met SUSTAINABILITY • Environmental Benefits • Rain Gardens & Reduced Runoff • Less cars & traffic • Fewer Emissions/Pollution • Reuse of Materials and Resources • Existing Foundation/Buildings • ROW (25-200 feet)/Loading Dock (All images from Google Images) Austin Becker, Tyler Book, Alex Jung, Aaron Rippstein, AlexShumakh, A.J Wehr, and Kyle Yu CVE 5001 Senior Design Fall Semester 2013 Niehoff Urban Studio Movement in the City - Wasson Way Research Light Rail Transit Case Studies Case Studies: A series of other light rail transits were researched as case studies to improve Wasson Way in Cincinnati, OH with a population of 296,000. NORFOLK CHARLOTTE BUFFALO (Source: Hamptonroad.com) (Source: Buffalonews.com) (Source: Carolinaautoracingshow.com) Case Study 1 Case Study 2 Case Study 3 LOCATION Norfolk, Virginia Buffalo, New York Charlotte, North Carolina POPULATION 246,000 259,000 735,780 LIGHT RAIL TRANSIT The Tide Buffalo Metro Rail LYNX LENGTH 7.4 miles 6.4 miles 9.6 miles DAILY RIDERSHIP 4,900 23,000 15,700 • The Tide was the first light rail • Completed in 1985, the Buffalo • LYNX system is one of the system in the state of Virginia. Metro Rail is one of the main newer light rail transit systems sources of transportation in the in the country. DESCRIPTION • The Tide connects Eastern city of Buffalo Virginia Medical School, Norfolk • The LYNX runs south from State University, and Newtown • The Buffalo Metro Rail connects downtown Charlotte to Road. downtown Buffalo to the Interstate 485. University of Buffalo • Final cost: $338 million • Final cost: $300 million • Final cost: $462 million $201 million from Operating cost per 75% of funding Federal Transit passenger mile - came from state and FINANCIAL Administration $1.04 federal $71 million from the Operating cost per • Blue Line Extension: $812 State passenger vehicle - milliom (projected) $66 million form the $17.58 75% of funding from city of Norfolk federal and state grants .
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