(no subject)
Val Golding
Thursday, December 12, 2002 8:29 PM
It is not possible to precisely define light rail, heavy rail and streetcar.
In the APTA glossary, their definition excludes SF Muni, whose LRVs also load
at street level (non-platform) as well as platform loading in the underground
portions. This example also conflicts with Harry Conover's definition.
===
Nor can you limit light rail exclusively to PROW or subway operation. Some
systems (Muni and others) have extensive street running. Portland defines one
line as a streetcar, but it is not, in my own opinion, just because it is
entirely street running. Its technology is that of modern light rail
electronics and equipment.
===
Vancouver's Sky Train while mostly or entirely (I'm not sure which) elevated
relies on automation as will Seattle's monorail, but this does not exclude
them
from the moniker of "Light Rail" On the other hand, I would think Chicago's El
might fall into the heavy rail category.
===
Seattle's Waterfront Streetcar and some other "heritage" systems, can't by any
stretch of the imagination be considered Light Rail even though it is
exclusivly platform loading, because they use historical controls and
equipment
developed in part prior to the turn of the 20th century.
===
In a nutshell, definitions can be neither all-inclusive nor all-exclusive. We
need to worry less about proper definitions and get on with enjoying our
interests in various forms of public transportation.
You wrote:
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2002 16:40:36 -0000
From: "rdpence2001 <[email protected]>" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Puget Sound Light Rail Discussion Group
Ed may think that the term "light rail" is so expansive as to include
monorail and other technologies of his liking. But not so in the
industry. Here are a few definitions from Light Rail Central --
APTA Glossary of Transit Terminology definition:
"An electric railway with a "light volume" traffic capacity compared
to heavy rail. Light rail may use shared or exclusive rights-of-way,
high or low platform loading and multi-car trains or single cars.
Also known as streetcar, trolley car or tramway.
Transportation Research Board definition:
Light rail transit is a metropolitan electric railway system
characterized by its ability to operate single cars or short trains
along exclusive rights-of-way at ground level, on aerial structures,
in subways or, occasionally, in streets, and to board and discharge
passengers at track or car-floor level.
Some other definitions and thoughts submitted:
Light Rail is the child of a streetcar mother and a rapid transit
father. It is a nephew to an interurban line, a cousin to commuter
rail, and a step-brother to a bus.. (Jim Seamon - St. Louis Mo.)
"I can't define it, but I know it when I see it!"
"On heavy rail, you board the train from a platform. On light rail,
you board the train from the ground." (Harry H. Conover)
.
.
.
Obfuscation specialist
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
In the APTA glossary, their definition excludes SF Muni, whose LRVs also load
at street level (non-platform) as well as platform loading in the underground
portions. This example also conflicts with Harry Conover's definition.
===
Nor can you limit light rail exclusively to PROW or subway operation. Some
systems (Muni and others) have extensive street running. Portland defines one
line as a streetcar, but it is not, in my own opinion, just because it is
entirely street running. Its technology is that of modern light rail
electronics and equipment.
===
Vancouver's Sky Train while mostly or entirely (I'm not sure which) elevated
relies on automation as will Seattle's monorail, but this does not exclude
them
from the moniker of "Light Rail" On the other hand, I would think Chicago's El
might fall into the heavy rail category.
===
Seattle's Waterfront Streetcar and some other "heritage" systems, can't by any
stretch of the imagination be considered Light Rail even though it is
exclusivly platform loading, because they use historical controls and
equipment
developed in part prior to the turn of the 20th century.
===
In a nutshell, definitions can be neither all-inclusive nor all-exclusive. We
need to worry less about proper definitions and get on with enjoying our
interests in various forms of public transportation.
You wrote:
Message: 1
Date: Mon, 09 Dec 2002 16:40:36 -0000
From: "rdpence2001 <[email protected]>" <[email protected]>
Subject: Re: New Puget Sound Light Rail Discussion Group
Ed may think that the term "light rail" is so expansive as to include
monorail and other technologies of his liking. But not so in the
industry. Here are a few definitions from Light Rail Central --
APTA Glossary of Transit Terminology definition:
"An electric railway with a "light volume" traffic capacity compared
to heavy rail. Light rail may use shared or exclusive rights-of-way,
high or low platform loading and multi-car trains or single cars.
Also known as streetcar, trolley car or tramway.
Transportation Research Board definition:
Light rail transit is a metropolitan electric railway system
characterized by its ability to operate single cars or short trains
along exclusive rights-of-way at ground level, on aerial structures,
in subways or, occasionally, in streets, and to board and discharge
passengers at track or car-floor level.
Some other definitions and thoughts submitted:
Light Rail is the child of a streetcar mother and a rapid transit
father. It is a nephew to an interurban line, a cousin to commuter
rail, and a step-brother to a bus.. (Jim Seamon - St. Louis Mo.)
"I can't define it, but I know it when I see it!"
"On heavy rail, you board the train from a platform. On light rail,
you board the train from the ground." (Harry H. Conover)
.
.
.
Obfuscation specialist
Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/