THE FEASIBILITY OF A SINGLE-TRACK VINTAGE TROLLEY IN THE MIDTOWN GREENWAY By Lomarado Group March 19, 2001 Presented to the CREDITS The Midtown Greenway Coalition thanks the following neighborhoods, individuals, foundations, and corporations for assisting with and contributing to this study. Neighborhood Organizations Funding This Study Calhoun Area Residents Action Group Cedar Isles Dean Neighborhood Association Corcoran Neighborhood Organization East Calhoun Community Organization (pending) East Isles Residents Association Longfellow Community Council Lowry Hill East Neighborhood Association Lyndale Neighborhood Association Powderhorn Park Neighborhood Association Seward Neighborhood Group Individuals Funding This Study Terry & Kevin Barnes Henry Hubben Bob Olson Elizabeth Brackett and Fred Olson Scott Likely Will Owens Darryl Carter Ranki Lyders Beth Parkhill & Bob Corrick Brad & Laurie Frederiksen Marie Markoe Zinta Pone Kathy & John Hendricks Margaret McGlynn Bob Sorenson Tom Hockenberry Midtown Greenway Coalition Transit Committee Bob Corrick Ron Fergle George Puzak John DeWitt Henry Hubben John Walley Cover Photograph Assistance with Trolley Tidbits Patrick Fox Photography Russell Olson, author of Electric Railways of Minnesota Foundations and Corporations Providing General Operating and Organizational Support for the Midtown Greenway Coalition in 2000 and 2001 Elmer & Eleanor Anderson Foundation The Minneapolis Foundation Marbrook Foundation Reliant Energy Minnegasco McKnight Foundation US Bank This report is printed on 100% recycled paper. One-sided copying was necessary because double- sided copying would have required very thick paper due to the readability of pages with photos on the flip side. The binding is designed to be easily removable to facilitate recycling after the Midtown Greenway vintage trolley is completed. THE FEASIBILITY OF A SINGLE-TRACK VINTAGE TROLLEY IN THE MIDTOWN GREENWAY For another copy of this study please go to http://www.midtowngreenway.org TABLE OF CONTENTS PROLOGUE CHAPTER I: EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...................................................................................... 1 Results ....................................................................................................................................... 1 Study Purpose ............................................................................................................................ 1 Route and Alignment ................................................................................................................. 2 Vehicles ..................................................................................................................................... 4 Passenger Stops.......................................................................................................................... 4 Study Limitations....................................................................................................................... 4 CHAPTER II: INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................. 5 History....................................................................................................................................... 5 The Transit Concept................................................................................................................... 5 CHAPTER III: VINTAGE STREETCARS IN OTHER CITIES .................................................... 7 OVERVIEW .............................................................................................................................. 7 Summary of Conclusions........................................................................................................ 8 Detailed Observations ............................................................................................................ 8 Impact on Vehicular Traffic Flow..........................................................................................10 Impact of Overhead Wire ......................................................................................................11 Impact on Residential Areas..................................................................................................11 Impact on Commercial Real Estate........................................................................................11 Public Acceptance.................................................................................................................12 SYSTEMS IN LARGER CITIES..............................................................................................14 1. New Orleans, Louisiana.....................................................................................................14 2. Detroit, Michigan ..............................................................................................................15 3. Seattle, Washington...........................................................................................................17 4. San Francisco, California...................................................................................................18 5. San Jose, California...........................................................................................................20 6. Dallas, Texas.....................................................................................................................21 7. Portland, Oregon ...............................................................................................................22 8. Memphis, Tennessee .........................................................................................................24 SYSTEMS IN SMALLER CITIES…..…………………….……………………………………25 9. Fort Collins, Colorado .......................................................................................................25 10. Lowell, Massachusetts.....................................................................................................26 11. Galveston, Texas .............................................................................................................28 12. Fort Smith, Arkansas .......................................................................................................29 13 Tuscon, Arizona ..............................................................................................................30 14. Kenosha, Wisconsin ........................................................................................................32 Canadian Systems .....................................................................................................................33 Systems Under Construction in the United States ......................................................................33 CHAPTER IV: ROUTE ALIGNMENT AND INFRASTRUCTURE............................................34 Introduction...............................................................................................................................34 Route Alignment.......................................................................................................................34 Traffic Impacts and Mitigation Measures ..................................................................................37 Passenger Stops and Transit Connectivity .................................................................................37 Power Distribution System........................................................................................................40 Vehicle Storage and Maintenance Facility.................................................................................40 Future Conversion to Double Track Light Rail..........................................................................41 CHAPTER V: VEHICLE..............................................................................................................42 Summary of Available Vehicles ................................................................................................42 Design Options .........................................................................................................................42 Alternative Vehicle Sources ......................................................................................................44 Recommended Vehicle Fleet.....................................................................................................46 CHAPTER VI: CAPITAL COST ESTIMATE..............................................................................48 Summary...................................................................................................................................48 CHAPTER VII: OPERATION......................................................................................................51 SERVICE ALTERNATIVES....................................................................................................51 Routing .................................................................................................................................51 Running Time .......................................................................................................................51 Headway (Frequency of Service)...........................................................................................51 Hours of Service....................................................................................................................52 SYSTEM MANAGEMENT......................................................................................................52