Quote:
Originally Posted by TexasBoi
Well there is a slight difference in terminology between heavy rail and commuter rail here in the states. The TRE is similar to what the DC area has in the VRE and MARC in that they use locomotive services. The heavy rail that I'm talking is one that uses electricity to move and has a higher capacity than light rail. I guess I'm asking in relation to strictly rapid transit which DART is but only in light rail form.
Basically, do you believe the region can support a system like this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3YukwiOFiw |
Okay, I see what you're saying now. Basically electric power commuter rail rather than the diesel locomotives the TRE uses. I'm admittedly very uneducated here, but I think DART is looking into that for the Cotton Belt and I think the DCTA's A-train is as well (though don't quote me on that). It's not possible for the TRE since the track the TRE uses is shared with freight. It is my understanding though that DART owns the Cotton Belt line and because of noise concerns where the line runs through North Dallas and Addison, they are probably going to go with what you're talking about...
Quote:
6.4.2 Vehicle Technology
Electric-powered LRT is the logical vehicle choice for
most corridors given that they will be extensions of or
interlined with the existing LRT system. The Cotton
Belt corridor has the best potential for alternative
technology, whether it is a FRA compliant vehicle, or
non-compliant self-propelled light rail vehicle. Use
of one common technology or vehicle types can
create efficiencies for maintenance facilities and create
purchasing power benefits. Thus, as the Denton
County Transportation Authority (rail from Denton
to Carrollton) and the T (Cotton Belt west of DFW
Airport) evaluate technologies for their planned rail
lines, there may be opportunities to create a second
common vehicle technology with one or both of
these corridors.
A key consideration for the Cotton Belt corridor, as in
other corridors, is the desire for an environmentallyand
community-friendly vehicle that has
characteristics comparable to DART light rail. DART
will continue to monitor technological advances that
can be applied not only to this corridor but to the
entire rail fleet in order to maximize environmental
and cost benefits and support future vehicle
technology decisions. Key conditions relative to the
Cotton Belt corridor vehicle are contained in Section
3.2.4.
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http://www.dart.org/2030plan/DART2030PlanJan2007.pdf