Infrastructure Study

Infrastructure Study

PublicPublic TransportationTransportation Infrastructure Study Fresno Council of Governments 3.0 Alternatives Analysis 3.1 Summary of Transit Technologies This section reviews the various transit technologies and service alterna County. The focus is on local/regional transit opportunities and not long-distance mass transportation services like high speed rail. This is to keep the analysis in line with the scope of the Publictives Transportation that might haveInfrastructure future application Study (PTIS), in Fresno Phase 2. Also, although the review presents a long list of technologies found throughout the U.S., it targets the more limited number of technologies that appear most suitable given extent, of smaller Fresno County communities. the development patterns of metropolitan Fresno and, to a lesser Table 2 summarizes the characteristics of thirteen transit technologies in the US. Of these, twelve are fairly common in major US cities, and one, PRT, is still considered experimental technology in the US and Europe. From left to right in the table, the technologies are listed generally in terms of vehicle and also line capacity, although line (or route) capacity can highly variable and depends on service frequencies. Certain technologies, which can operate at very high frequencies, will offer greater line capacities than other technologies be Selection of an appropriate transit technology for an urbanthat actually area is havedependent higher onper a vehiclerange ofcapacities. factors including, most importantly, predicted ridership from serving high-demand destinations in dense areas. The more densely developed or attractive an area is, the greater the justification to invest high frequencies and fairly high speeds that compete with personal car travel times and attractiveness. Large numbers of in a transit technology that carries a large number of people at riders result in higher cost efficiencies of the transit operation, which helps to qualify the project for federal funding in a highly competitive nationwide process. At one end of the passenger rail spectrum are streetcars, which usually operate on existing city streets, sharing the right-of-way with autos and trucks, and are limited to one- or two-car trains. Individual vehicle capacities can exceed well over 100 passengers, but train frequencies tend to be limited due to the challenges of operating in mixed-flow traffic environments with multiple traffic lights. In the middle ground are light rail and commuter rail systems. Light rail vehicles can carry over 150 passengers on trainsets of typically two to three vehicles, for total capacities of 300 to 500 passengers. Commuter rail vehicles include passenger cars seating 100 or more (standees on commuter rail trains are assumed to be avoided or kept to a minimum), linked together in trains of five to eight or more cars for a total train capacity similar to heavy rail. Line capacity per hour is usually less due to lower train frequencies. Diesel multiple units (DMUs) are an alternative to conventional commuter rail and even light rail technologies. Each vehicle or married-pair vehicle (essentially two cars permanently hinged in the middle) is self-propelled, but two to four DMU cars can be linked together per train. They are best deployed where large commuter rail trains are not needed due to limited demand and where electrification for propelling light rail trains is not practical and present too high a capital cost. Fast Track Fresno County | Planning Our Future 24 | Fresno COG Infrastructure Fresno Council of Governm Summary of Transit Technologies Distance Service Right-Of-Way Minimum Definition: Service Type: Station Type: between Alignment: Frequency: Width: Turning Radius: Stations: -speed, passenger rail cars operating singly Raised high-floor level wo or more cars on fixed rails in separate 1 to 3 miles apart 5 to 10 minutes 25 to 33 feet Urban/Regional platform. Location: Separate right of way 330+ feet which all other vehicular and foot traffic are (except in CBD) during peak (Double Track) Center or Side excluded” (APTA) s long-haul rail passenger service operating olitan and suburban areas, whether within Raised high/low floor eographical boundaries of a state, usually level or low-level step Uses existing tracks (at grade or > 37 feet (Double uced fare for multiple rides, and commutation Interurban/Regional 2 to 5 miles apart 20 to 30 minutes 140 to 460 feet up platform. Location: grade separated crossings) Track) recurring riders.” (APTA) Commuter Rail can Center or Side. sting freight tracks with freight trains if cars ety standards (i.e., are FRA compliant). with a ‘light volume’ traffic capacity compared Sidewalk sign, raised Either center or side of street in ail may use shared or exclusive rights-of-way, high/low floor level 25 to 33 feet (Double 5 to 30 minutes separate or shared right of way m loading and multi-car trains or single cars” Urban/Regional or low-level step up 1/2 mile to 1 mile Track), 11 to 13 feet 50 to 150 feet during peak with other traffic; exclusive right s an intermediate rail transit between high platform. Location: (Single Track) of way also sometimes provided speed rail and streetcars. Center or Side. cle similar to a commuter rail but with lower Can use existing freight tracks oviding passenger service on short or medium Raised high/low floor (at grade or grade separated > 250 feet for e self propelled vehicles typically powered by level or low-level step Varies. Typically 15 crossings) if meeting FRA 25 to 37 feet single car and > Urban/Regional 2 to 5 miles apart perate as a single unit or multiple units based up platform. Location: to 30 minutes requirements; separate (Double Track) 300 feet for multi mited options exist in U.S. for FRA-compliant Center or Side. guideway is a more expensive cars DMU applications in active freight corridors. alternative. ail transit vehicles designed for local traffic Sidewalk sign, raised 19 to 24 feet (Double approximately 8 to 15 minutes are powered by electricity from overhead Urban Circulator low-floor level platform or On street with traffic Track), 11 - 13 feet 40 to 80 feet every 1/4 mile during peak catenary wire. low level stepup platform (Single Track) 19 to 24 feet (Double Modern Streetcar applies, except replicas of Sidewalk sign, low level approximately Urban Circulator 8 to 15 minutes On street with traffic Track), 11 - 13 feet 40 to 50 feet ey are used and typically are nonarticulated. step-up platform every 1/4 mile (Single Track) Sidewalk sign, raised an integrated system of facilities, equipment, 10 minute (peak) low-floor level platform approximately On street with traffic 12 feet (single lane) 25 Infrastructure Fresno Council of Governm Summary of Transit Technologies Distance Service Right-Of-Way Minimum Definition: Service Type: Station Type: between Alignment: Frequency: Width: Turning Radius: Stations: is intended to run faster than the local bus. Sidewalk post sign or Approximately 10 to 12 feet e service between the local bus and the bus Urban and Regional 10 to 30 minutes On street with traffic 40 to 70 feet shelter, curb-level stop every 1/2 mile (preferred 12 feet) rapid transit. Varies from couple ch is intended for passenger pick up and Sidewalk sign post or 10 to 12 feet Urban and Regional of blocks to every 5 to 60 minutes On street with traffic 40 to 70 feet designated stops along road corridors. shelter, curb-level stop (preferred 12 feet) 1/4 mile transit mode where electrically propelled, es straddle atop or suspend from a single Station, high-level Typically 25 ft Urban - Theme Approximately 1/2 Typically 5 to 15 Grade separated, dedicated il, or tube. These vehicles ride along grade platform for level (over city streets); 6’x8’ 75 to 150 feet parks, Airports mile to 1 mile minutes right-of-way Typically operates automatically and without boarding support pillars le service at tourist attractions and airports. ve transit (includes paratransit, dial-a-ride, ised of passenger cars, vans or small buses e to calls from passengers or their agents to Flexible routes; typically Varies, who then dispatches a vehicle to pick up and Urban, Local and 10 to 12 feet (preferred curb stops and no set Varies Varies On street with traffic approximately rs to their destinations. (APTA) While many Regional 12 feet) stations 25 feet nd responsive service, most limit the service bilities, their attendants and companions, and ricans (with the exception of taxis). ol service operates primarily from rural and Varies, passenger as into urban area central business districts Varies, with major Sidewalk sign and/or vehicles loyment centers. Most carpools/vanpools Urban and Regional destination a major Varies (on demand) On street with traffic 10 to 12 feet park-andride lots approximately areas, though a few states have statewide activity center 21 feet programs.”” (APTA) Demand responsive ffers ondemand, non-stop transportation and therefore no endent self-propelled, electric vehicles on a Station, platform level regular schedule; 10 to 12 feet for single -built guideways. Two different vehicle sizes with vehicle floor; station Approximately 1/4 vehicle waits Separate right-of-way; typically Varies, as low as Urban / Suburban guideway; 20 to 25 feet ectives exist. Smaller vehicles are designed is off-line from the main to 1 mile in station until grade separated 30 feet for double avel party and larger vehicles are sized to guideway. passengers er groups, all to the same destination. board and select destination Infrastructure

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