Citation

Billing JR, Grouni HN. Transp. Res. Rec. 1977; 627: 17-21.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1977, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper outlines a rationale for designing an elevated guideway for urban rail transit, and applies this to a design of a double-track guideway for a proposed light rail transit (LRT) line. Three factors that affect the rationale for designing elevated guideway structures for LRT include performance requirements that specify guideway function; constraints that limit the choices available to the designer; and, design considerations that tell the designer how to choose among options, all of which satisfy the performance requirements and constraints. A design study is included which develops a suitable guideway configuration and examines in some detail a typical four-span structure. The following design aspects are discussed: Vehicle specifications; guideway cross sections; structural design; construction options; and, costs. The authors conclude that the rationale presented for the design of elevated guideway structures for LRT is neither a specification nor a code, but should form the basis for either. It identifies performance requirements that must be met for the structure, constraints that limit the designer's range of choice in meeting the performance requirements, and design considerations that provide the basis for making design choices.