Bill Sproule Professor Michigan Tech University

Intercity High Speed Rail Commuter Rail Heavy Rail Rapid Transit Light Rail Transit Others – Cable Systems, Monorails, Automated Guideway (Guided) Transit, others

Intercity, High Speed Rail, and Commuter Rail Basically operated over portions of the North American freight rail network or on dedicated passenger lines that are contiguous to this network Use AREMA technical standards for trackwork and AAR technical standards for vehicles

Tend to operate at higher speeds and on longer routes but with lower frequencies Use equipment that is either completely or largely compatible with freight equipment Subject to regulations of the FRA

Heavy Rail Rapid Transit and Light Rail Transit Operate on tracks that are dedicated to passenger service (no freight operations) Trackwork and vehicle standards may be AREMA and AAR based, but more typically reflect transit practice with use of sharper track curvature and lighter vehicles

Tend to operate at lower speeds and shorter routes but with higher frequencies Typically managed and operated by a local or regional transit agency or department The transit agency will typically manage and operate an extensive network of buses as part of the local transit system Federal and State governments will provide funding and technical assistance

The Golden Age of Intercity Passenger Rail Late 19 th and early 20 th century rail was the primary passenger transportation mode for medium and long distances Famous passenger trains, stations, hotels, and resorts 1916 – over 250,000 rail track miles in the U.S – passenger rail travel in U.S. reached an all-time high with 1.2 million passengers per day

1920s – automobiles and highway networks; intercity bus and air travel begin 1930s – Streamliner era - Burlington Zephyr Late 1940s – early 1950s – continued decline of passenger rail travel in the U.S.

1956 – Federal Aid Highway Act – Interstate highway system 1960s – growth in air travel and continued decline in passenger rail service and passengers 1970 – Rail Passenger Service Act

Operated by Amtrak (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) Amtrak began operation in 1971 Amtrak Board of Control sets policy and oversees management – appointed by President Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) administers grants to Amtrak

provides national intercity passenger rail service over 30 million annual passengers 20,000 employees also operates some commuter rail systems

Amtrak network has over 21,000 route miles 70% of miles traveled by Amtrak trains are on tracks owned by other railroads - “host railroads” BNSF is the largest host railroad for Amtrak Amtrak pays host railroads for use of their track and resources to operate the trains

Amtrak’s busiest route Last year, Amtrak trains in the Northeast Corridor (Washington- Boston) carried over 10 million passengers

operated by VIA Rail (similar to Amtrak)

Several operating railroads and museums – very popular in U.S. Tourist Railway Association Association of Railway Museums

A passenger rail line and service that operates significantly faster than normal rail traffic Several definitions European Union 124 MPH for upgraded lines 155 MPH for specifically built high speed lines U.S. Department of Transportation 125 MPH Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) 110 MPH

Japanese introduced the first high speed trains in the mid 1960s – Shinkansen (Bullet Train) today high speed rail lines are common in France, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, China, and many other countries Current world high speed rail record French (modified) TGV – 357 mph (575 km/hr), April 2007

integral trainsets light axle loads exclusive rights-of-way grade separated high design speed – low grades, long horizontal curves sophisticated train control train suspension - tilting trains extensive maintenance

High Speed Ground Transportation Act, 1965 – develop a high speed train for the Northeast Corridor Metroliner Operated between Washington and New York City

Acela Express Operates in the Northeast Corridor between Washington and Boston (since 2000) Top speed of 150 mph on a portion of its route Last year Acela Express carried over 3 million passengers

Holder of the U.S. high speed rail record M-497 Black Beetle 183 mph Speed record made in NE Indiana (Butler, IN to Stryker, Ohio), 1966

Recent exciting federal and state initiatives Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act, 2008 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, 2009 Probably better to think of HSR in the U.S. to be “Higher Speed Rail” US DOT Federal Railroad Administration several high speed rail corridors studied

U.S. High Speed Rail Association US DOT Federal Railroad Administration

cruising speeds of 300+ mph development and research in several countries – Germany, Japan, and others system in Shanghai, China (Transrapid from Germany)

a passenger railroad service that operates in metropolitan areas on tracks that are usually part of a railroad network for intercity passenger or freight trains service is primarily for daily “commuters” traveling between the suburbs and downtown also called Regional Rail or Suburban Rail

Typically multiple unit trains Passenger cars/coaches can be single-level or double-level (or bi-level) Motive power options: Train pulled or pushed by a diesel-electric locomotive Diesel multiple units (DMU) Electric multiple units (EMU)

Trains operate on a schedule with more trains in the morning and afternoon peak periods frequency – 3 to 6 trains per hour in peak periods average speed – 30 mph (max. speed of mph) In North America, commuter rail is typically operated by a government department or quasi-government agency/authority

Typically one station in city center (often it is the old railroad terminal) and several outlying suburban stations The suburban stations will have automobile parking (park and ride), drop off/pick up areas (kiss and ride), and connections to local transit service (for transfers to/from buses) Fares based on distance traveled

U.S. - Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, Minneapolis, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, and many others Canada – Montreal, Toronto (GO Transit), Vancouver Largest systems (ridership) – New York (Long Island, Metro North, and NJ Transit), Chicago (Metra)

An electric railway operating in an urban area with the capabilities to handle a heavy volume of passenger traffic High speed and rapid acceleration multi-car trains operating on exclusive rights-of-way underground, elevated, at-grade Sophisticated signaling Variety of other names – Metro, Subway, Underground, Rapid Transit, L, T, Tube

First rail rapid transit system – London (1863) Today, there are more than 160 cities in the world that have a rail rapid transit system Several cities in North America with systems New York is the largest system in the U.S.

U.S. – Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco (BART), Washington Canada – Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver Mexico – Mexico City Largest systems (ridership) – New York, Chicago, Washington

Trains consist of 6-10 cars, each with its own motor and drawing electric power from a third rail 800-2,000 passengers per train average speed: mph; maximum speed: 60+ mph Operate on short headways (some at 2 minutes or less) Capacity: 40,000 pphpd Steel wheels, steel rails (exception: Paris and Montreal – rubber tires) Standard railroad gauge

Stations are typically a mile (or more) apart Passengers will purchase tickets/tokens/passes and enter/exit the system through turnstiles Flat fares or fares by distance If flat fare – cash, passes, tickets, tokens If fare by distance – sophisticated fare collection system needed – fare cards

system will usually consist of one or more lines or routes often focused to/from the city center routes and lines are distinguished by numbers, names, or colors Example: Washington Metro

a new name for the streetcar Electrically powered vehicles, but may link two or more vehicles to form a train Power is drawn from an overhead wire (trolley or pantograph) a variety of operating strategies – share street, transit only street, or on separate right-of-way

first demonstrated at expositions in Chicago and Toronto – late 1800s several developers/inventors (including Thomas Edison) also called Tram, Trolley, Street Railway

in the 1970s and 1980s U.S. cities started to search for new transit alternatives – looked to Europe began a new era for LRT several old streetcar systems were refurblished and new LRT systems were built

A blend of design and operating practices A mix of right-of-way types Stations may be simple on-street platforms to elaborate underground stations Passengers will use honor fare collection or passes

U.S. – Boston, Buffalo, Charlotte, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Portland, Pittsburgh, Sacramento, St. Louis, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, and many others Canada – Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto Largest systems (ridership) – San Francisco, Boston, San Diego, Portland

Light rail systems that use vehicles built before 1960 or modern replicas – downtown circulator or tourist service Can restore old trolleys or companies can build replica vehicles

Last year, over 10 billion transit trips (53% on buses, 34% on heavy rail rapid transit, 5% on commuter rail, 4% on LRT) Information on transit ridership, transit systems and characteristics, and other “good stuff” Public Transportation Fact Book Published by the American Public Transportation Association (APTA)

A variety of other special or unique passenger systems that use many of the principles of railroad engineering Cable Systems Monorails Automated Guideway (Guided) Transit others Systems are often found at major activity centers – airports, amusement parks, universities, and similar locations

Several types and performance characteristics

unmanned, automated vehicles operating on fixed, exclusive guideways several manufacturers/suppliers major activity centers, like airports, have become an important application for AGT APM – Automated People Mover DPM – Downtown People Mover PRT – Personal Rapid Transit

AGT system operating in the downtown area several research initiatives in the 1980s three systems built Detroit Jacksonville Miami

Small vehicles that would provide service between an origin and destination station without immediate stops Concept has been discussed and explored for many years A PRT system recently opened at Heathrow

AREMA Manual for Railway Engineering, AREMA Practical Guide to Railway Engineering, AREMA, 2003 Urban Transit – Operations, Planning and Economics, Vukan Vuchic, Wiley: New Jersey, 2005 Urban Transit Systems and Technology, Vukan Vuchic, Wiley: New Jersey, 2007 Transit Capacity and Quality of Service Manual, 3 rd Edition, TCRP Report 165, TRB, 2013

Web Sites: US DOT Federal Transit Administration American Public Transportation Association Tips: use YouTube videos use slides from transit systems in your city or state

One may discover opportunities for publishing books and papers on early railroads and streetcars Images of Rail series by Arcadia Publishing

Presentation Author Bill Sproule Professor Dillman 301C Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering Michigan Tech University Phone: It is the author’s intention that the information contained in this file be used for non-commercial, educational purposes, with as few restrictions as possible. However, there are some necessary constraints and warnings regarding its use as described below. Copyright Restrictions and Disclaimer: This Powerpoint (ppt) file is the property of the author(s) who retains the copyright, but offers it for use at no cost for noncommercial, educational purposes. Written permission must be obtained from the author to publish or use in any way other than the intended purpose described above. Please be advised that the materials (photos, graphics, etc.) used within this ppt file have come from a variety of sources and have been assembled here for personal use by the author for educational purposes. The copyright for some of the images and graphics used in this presentation may be held by others. Where possible, this copyright information is listed. Regarding these materials, users may not change or delete any author attribution, copyright notice, trademark, or other legend. Users of this material may not further reproduce it without permission from the copyright owner and it is the sole responsibility of the user to obtain such permissions as necessary. Regarding these materials, you may not, without prior consent from the particular copyright owner, modify, copy, publish, transmit, adapt, or in any way exploit the content. Additional restrictions may apply to specific images or graphics as indicated herein. The contents of this file are provided on an "as is" basis and without warranties of any kind, either express or implied. The author makes no warranties or representations, including any warranties of title, noninfringement of copyright or other rights, nor does the author make any warranties or representation regarding the correctness, accuracy, or reliability of the content or other material in the file.