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Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 7:16 am
by DaveKCMO
no one's using maglev stateside for a reason... it's just too expensive to build.

separately, what does this do to the bike/ped crossing proposal for the HOA bridge? the ballot language specifies that's where the route crosses the river.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 7:32 am
by ShowMeKC
I't entirely on streets except for Penn Valley Park and Mill Creek Park.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:07 am
by kard
DaveKCMO wrote:separately, what does this do to the bike/ped crossing proposal for the HOA bridge? the ballot language specifies that's where the route crosses the river.
I'm sure MoDOT will say trains are too heavy for the HOA to support so they don't have to build it.  I'm surprised they didn't try that with the bikes.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:15 am
by bahua
I think the Seattle one you have might be slightly erroneous. It says Trimet(Portland's system), and Gresham(as does the portland picture above it)

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:35 am
by bbqboy
Tuscon:
  http://www.tucsonlightrail.org/whatis.htm
    San Jose:
  Image
    Light rail now:
http://www.lightrailnow.org/

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:24 pm
by HockeyPunkKC
i like the houston one the best.  or the Dublin one.

i think it should be sleek looking.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 9:35 pm
by DaveKCMO
another article about the technology chastain has proposed that's now in use in bordeaux, france. it's dated 2003, but has some interesting tidbits about cost, noise dampening (only 74 dB!), top speeds, and how the power supply works.

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/ ... _105642898

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 10:20 pm
by 49r
Boston's Green Line.  The oldest subway system in the US, but the vast majority of the Green Line is above ground.  It's the most-ridden light rail line in the country.  Here are some photos:

Image
http://www.workingdefinition.com/Thesis ... ers_01.jpg

Same Trolleys wrapped with advertising:

Image
http://www.workingdefinition.com/Thesis ... 7_3694.jpg

More:

Image
http://www.subwaynut.com/mbta/newtonhig ... lands1.jpg

Newer trolleys, you don't see many (or any anymore) of these on the Green Line.  I believe, but can't remember for sure, they had trouble putting these in service:

Image
http://www.ichizen.com/goat/goat_mbta/i ... _16_04.jpg

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:07 pm
by mailman641
since we have no federal funding to start and this is still "if we get it built"....what about something like the People Mover in Detroit(www.thepeoplemover.com)? It runs above ground which would prevent having to put in crossings on streets(which would contribute to traffic congestion).  I have no idea how much it would cost compared to something that runs on the ground but I always remember how cool it was to ride when I was about 5.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:10 pm
by kcmetro
mailman641 wrote: since we have no federal funding to start and this is still "if we get it built"....what about something like the People Mover in Detroit(www.thepeoplemover.com)? It runs above ground which would prevent having to put in crossings on streets(which would contribute to traffic congestion).  I have no idea how much it would cost compared to something that runs on the ground but I always remember how cool it was to ride when I was about 5.
Something like that would be a waste of money IMO. It's more of a gimmick or touristy thing that anything that is actually useful.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:13 pm
by DaveKCMO
mailman641 wrote: since we have no federal funding to start and this is still "if we get it built"....what about something like the People Mover in Detroit(www.thepeoplemover.com)? It runs above ground which would prevent having to put in crossings on streets(which would contribute to traffic congestion).  I have no idea how much it would cost compared to something that runs on the ground but I always remember how cool it was to ride when I was about 5.
ask anyone who lives in detroit why that's not a good idea.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Thu Nov 09, 2006 11:51 pm
by ddw334umkc
The Detroit People Mover only runs in the central business district.  It's only useful for transporting people within the downtown area, it doesn't run outside of the Detroit CBD.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 8:10 am
by BVC
Charlotte and Phoenix are my favorites.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:36 am
by bahua
I think Skytran is still the best option, but it's not expensive enough and it's too useful and comprehensive.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:42 am
by bbqboy
Tram!
I don't know how to extract a picture from a PDF, but if you click on today's(Friday)Oregonian front Page,
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/pageone/
you'll see a stunning picture of the Portland Tram in test run mode.
here's another, but not as cool as the front page shot.
Image

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:43 am
by anniewarbucks
l kind of like this one.
Image
I rode this and they are cool

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:48 am
by eliphar17
bbqboy wrote: Tram!
I don't know how to extract a picture from a PDF, but if you click on today's(Friday)Oregonian front Page,
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/pageone/
you'll see a stunning picture of the Portland Tram in test run mode.
here's another, but not as cool as the front page shot.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:48 am
by kard
bbqboy wrote: Tram!
I don't know how to extract a picture from a PDF, but if you click on today's(Friday)Oregonian front Page,
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/pageone/
you'll see a stunning picture of the Portland Tram in test run mode.
here's another, but not as cool as the front page shot.
Some construction photos:  http://www.portlandonline.com/transport ... fm?c=41333&

This sucker is massive.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 11:51 am
by bbqboy
eliphar17 wrote:
Thanks! I can see that going right up and over PVP in addition to the Liberty Memorial.

Re: Light Rail Systems

Posted: Fri Nov 10, 2006 1:34 pm
by bahua
anniewarbucks wrote: l kind of like this one.
Image
I rode this and they are cool
The monorail at Disney World looks and feels old, but it's still a great way to get around.