Citation

Levinson HS. Transp. Res. Rec. 1995; 1503: 88-95.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Transportation Research Board, National Research Council, National Academy of Sciences USA, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

The strengths and weaknesses of street-running rail transit are presented, along with examples of where streetcar lines, inter-urban electric railways, and rapid transit lines have relocated sections of route to private rights-of-way (ROWs) to improve safety, travel time, and reliability. It is important to avoid (or minimize) street-running today because of more potential conflicts among autos, buses, pedestrians, and trains, and because of a need to maximize speed and reliability. Street-running in the central business district generally should be viewed as the first stage that leads to incremental transitions to reserved ROWs. The goal is to plan for and provide off-street or reserved operations as soon as possible and as resources permit. A historical overview of the experiences of various transit systems are presented and techniques are identified that may be applicable to current rail transit development.

Language: en

Keywords

History; Traffic signals; Rapid transit; Trolley cars; Light rail transit; Roads and streets; Street traffic control; Transportation routes; Mass transportation; Rights of way