[PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain
Dwight Long
dwightlong at verizon.net
Wed Mar 9 22:25:46 EST 2011
Herb
That is an improvement over some of the previous formulations. It does not include the dreaded "Electric Trolley Bus." But it does also not include ASVs, and they are in use in more than one place in the USA, as well as elsewhere in the world. I appreciate their including some of the classic words such as tramway and streetcar as alternates.
Dwight
----- Original Message -----
From: Herb Brannon
To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
Sent: Wednesday, 09 March, 2011 18:56
Subject: [PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain
Right out of the new APTA "Fact Book". These newest definitions are
greatly simplified over the original listings a few years ago and now group
several modes into more broad categories. Look at the APTA website for
information on the Standards Program, a *funded* project of APTA. The
attached pdf may help you to understand what has been happening at APTA
reference standardization of terms. Also a short bio of Wm Millar who got
the standardization started:
Mode of Service Definitions
*Mode *is a system for carrying transit passengers described by specific
right-of-way, technology, and operational features.
*Aerial Tramway *is electric system of aerial cables with suspended
powerless passenger vehicles. The vehicles are propelled by separate cables
attached to the vehicle suspension system and powered by engines or motors
at a central location not on board the vehicle.
*Automated Guideway Transit *(also called *personal rapid transit*, *group
rapid transit*, or *people mover*) is an electric railway (single or
multi-car trains) of guided transit vehicles operating without an onboard
crew. Service may be on a fixed schedule or in response to a passenger
activated call button.
*Bus *is a mode of transit service (also called *motor bus*) characterized
by roadway vehicles powered by diesel, gasoline, battery, or alternative
fuel engines contained within the vehicle. Vehicles operate on streets and
roadways in fixed-route or other regular service. Types of bus service
include local service, where vehicles may stop every block or two along a
route several miles long. When limited to a small geographic area or to
short-distance trips, local service is often called *circulator*, *feeder*,
*neighborhood*, *trolley*, or *shuttle service*. Other types of bus service
are *express service*, *limited-stop service*, and *bus rapid transit (BRT)*.
*Cable Car *is a railway with individually controlled transit vehicles
attached while moving to a moving cable located below the street surface and
powered by engines or motors at a central location not on board the vehicle.
*Commuter Rail *is a mode of transit service (also called *metropolitan rail
*, *regional rail*, or *suburban rail*) characterized by an electric or
diesel propelled railway for urban passenger train service consisting of
local short distance travel operating between a central city and adjacent
suburbs. Service must be operated on a regular basis by or under contract
with a transit operator for the purpose of transporting passengers within
urbanized areas, or between urbanized areas and outlying areas. Such rail
service, using either locomotive hauled or self-propelled railroad passenger
cars, is generally characterized by multi-trip tickets, specific station to
station fares, railroad employment practices and usually only one or two
stations in the central business district. Intercity rail service is
excluded, except for that portion of such service that is operated by or
under contract with a public transit agency for predominantly commuter
services. Most service is provided on routes of current or former freight
railroads.
*Ferry Boat *is a transit mode comprising vessels carrying passengers and in
some cases vehicles over a body of water, and that are generally steam or
diesel-powered. When at least one terminal is within an urbanized area, it
is *urban ferryboat service*. Such service excludes international, rural,
rural interstate, island, and urban park ferries.
*Heavy Rail *is a mode of transit service (also called *metro*,
*subway*, *rapid
transit*, or *rapid rail*) operating on an electric railway with the
capacity for a heavy volume of traffic. It is characterized by high speed
and rapid acceleration passenger rail cars operating singly or in multi-car
trains on fixed rails; separate rights-of-way from which all other vehicular
and foot traffic are excluded; sophisticated signaling, and high platform
loading.
*Inclined Plane *is a railway operating over exclusive right-of-way on steep
grades (slopes) with powerless vehicles propelled by moving cables attached
to the vehicles and powered by engines or motors at a central location not
on board the vehicle. The special tramway type of vehicles has passenger
seats that remain horizontal while the undercarriage (truck) is angled
parallel to the slope.
*Light Rail *is a mode of transit service (also called *streetcar*, *tramway
*, or *trolley*) operating passenger rail cars singly (or in short, usually
two-car or three-car, trains) on fixed rails in right-of-way that is often
separated from other traffic for part or much of the way. Light rail
vehicles are typically driven electrically with power being drawn from an
overhead electric line via a trolley or a pantograph; driven by an operator
on board the vehicle; and may have either high platform loading or low level
boarding using steps.
*Monorail *is an electric railway of guided transit vehicles operating
singly or in multi-car trains. The vehicles are suspended from or straddle a
guideway formed by a single beam, rail, or tube.
*Paratransit *is a mode of transit service (also called *demand response *or
*dial-a-ride*) characterized by the use of passenger automobiles, vans or
small buses operating in response to calls from passengers or their agents
to the transit operator, who then dispatches a vehicle to pick up the
passengers and transport them to their destinations. The vehicles do not
operate over a fixed route or on a fixed schedule. The vehicle may be
dispatched to pick up several passengers at different pick-up points before
taking them to their respective destinations and may even be interrupted en
route to these destinations to pick up other passengers.
*Trolleybus *is a mode of transit service (also called* trolley coach*)
using vehicles propelled by a motor drawing current from overhead wires via
connecting poles called a trolley poles from a central power source not on
board the vehicle.
*Vanpool *is ridesharing by prearrangement using vans or small buses
providing round trip transportation between the participant's prearranged
boarding points and a common and regular destination. Data included in this
report are the sum of vanpool data reported in the National Transit Database
(NTD) and do not include any data for vanpools not listed in the National
Transit Database. Vanpool service reported in the NTD must be operated by a
public entity, or a public entity must own, purchase, or lease the
vehicle(s). Vanpool included in the NTD must also be in compliance with mass
transit rules including Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) provisions, be
open to the public and that availability must be made known, and use
vehicles with a minimum capacity of 7 persons.
------------------------------
On Wed, Mar 9, 2011 at 13:11, John Swindler <j_swindler at hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> Perhaps because term 'trolley bus' has been taken over by diesel bus
> manufacturers.
>
> And I agree - it's still 'Modern Tramway", just like it is still the
> Overbrook line and Beechview line.
>
> As for ASVs, probably hybrid - and I've had occasion to point out to others
> (at Frankford for instance) that this technology is not something new - but
> was tried 75 years ago.
>
> Ah, yes, Bill Millar. He worked at PennDOT mid-1970s.
>
> Cheers
> John
>
>
> > From: dwightlong at verizon.net
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > Subject: [PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain
> > Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 10:19:46 -0500
> >
> > Herb
> >
> > The ridiculous term "electric trolley bus" is a particularly egregious
> item of "newspeak" and is redundant and stupid. And pray tell, what earthly
> difference is there between a "trolley bus" and an "electric trolley bus?"
> And where in this supposedly "standard" (NOT) glossary do ASVs fall?
> >
> > I recognize the reasons behind Newspeak, but that does not mean I do not
> deplore it and certainly does not mean that I'm going to use it. "Modern
> Tramway" is still "Modern Tramway" to me, not Light Rail Transit Journal or
> whatever the name de jour may be.
> >
> > OK, call me a curmudgeon. Or do you have a newspeak word for
> "curmudgeon." (Sanctioned by Bill Millar of course).
> >
> > Dwight
> > ----- Original Message -----
> > From: Herb Brannon
> > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
> > Sent: Tuesday, 08 March, 2011 21:44
> > Subject: [PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain
> >
> >
> > APTA is the "trade organization" of public transportation in the US,
> Canada,
> > and Mexico. Nothing more, nothing less.
> > Also, if you read what I wrote you would have read, "....politicians are
> > EXEMPT FROM THE TRUTH, " It was a polite way of saying they are not
> honest.
> >
> >
> > The original reply was to inform you that DEFINITIONS of such items as
> Light
> > Rail, Heavy Rail, Commuter Rail, Surface Bus, Bus Rapid Transit, Electric
> > Trolley Bus, Trolley Bus, etc have been worked out by APTA and are
> generally
> > used throughout the transit industry. It was not meant to put you on the
> > defensive.
> >
> > .
> >
> > On Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 20:30, Fred Schneider <fwschneider at comcast.net
> >wrote:
> >
> > > Then how come the FTA and FRA aren't listening? How can APTA be the
> > > official voice for something run by politicians, whom you just said are
> > > exempt? The entire industry is political. Nothing today is apolitical.
> > > There are no private light rail lines.
> > >
> > >
> > > On Mar 8, 2011, at 6:55 PM, Herb Brannon wrote:
> > >
> > > > The UK is not in North America, politicians are exempt from the
> truth,
> > > San
> > > > Diego calls their light rail a trolley because its a local marketing
> logo
> > > > just as "T" is a Pittsburgh local marketing logo , and yes, light
> rail,
> > > > while it has the capability of moving in "heavy mixed traffic", does
> not
> > > > have to. APTA is the official voice of mass transit in North America
> and
> > > > does not divide itself by different modes controlled by different US
> > > > Government agencies. No, I am not confused, APTA has made it crystal
> > > > clear.
> > > > On Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 17:52, Fred Schneider <
> fwschneider at comcast.net
> > > >wrote:
> > > >
> > > >>
> > > >> APTA is official? Britain has their own definition. Each politician
> > > has
> > > >> his idea? San Diego calls it a trolley. Russ Jackson tells me that
> > > light
> > > >> rail has to be capable of moving in street traffic. But if we make a
> > > >> mistake and say commuter rail, then the FRA jumps in and claims
> > > jurisdiction
> > > >> instead of the FTA in this country ... that is why the Austin
> project
> > > didn't
> > > >> get off the ground for over a year after the planned opening date.
> You
> > > see
> > > >> it was light rail running as commuter rail on a national railroad
> ...
> > > but if
> > > >> you call it light rail (like New Jersey Transit's River line), then
> you
> > > keep
> > > >> the Federal Railroad Administration out of the picture and their
> buff
> > > >> strength requirements are not applicable when you build cars. You
> only
> > > >> have to provide temporal separation between trains and light rail
> cars.
> > > >> You confused? Why shouldn't you be?
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >> On Mar 8, 2011, at 3:47 PM, Herb Brannon wrote:
> > > >>
> > > >>> FYI, the official definitions for all modes of public transport, at
> > > least
> > > >>> in North America, are those definitions set forth by the American
> > > Public
> > > >>> Transportation Association (APTA) through the APTA Standards
> > > Development
> > > >>> Program.
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> On Tue, Mar 8, 2011 at 12:42, Fred Schneider <
> fwschneider at comcast.net
> > > >>> wrote:
> > > >>>
> > > >>>> One of the guys who got this wanted to engage me in a contest over
> the
> > > >>>> definition of light rail. I refused because it is always in the
> mind
> > > >> of
> > > >>>> the beholder and in this case, the politician.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> Whatever you call it, I'm simply amazed at the passenger counts.
> My
> > > >> God,
> > > >>>> Derrick, 215,000 a day in one corner of the city.
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>> On Mar 7, 2011, at 11:18 PM, Derrick Brashear wrote:
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>>> LONDON'S DOCKLAND'S LIGHT RAIL, NOT A PART OF THE UNDERGROUND,
> WAS
> > > >>>> CREATED TO PROVIDE TRANSPORTATION TO THE EAST INDIA DOCKS IN AN
> > > ATTEMPT
> > > >> TO
> > > >>>> HELP REVITALIZE THE AREA AFTER CONTAINERIZATION SPELLED THE END OF
> > > THEIR
> > > >>>> ORIGINAL PURPOSE OF THE DOCKS ON THE NORTH SIDE OF THE THAMES
> RIVER.
> > > >> The
> > > >>>> first two lines from Bank Street and Tower Bridge to Isle of Dogs
> and
> > > >> from
> > > >>>> Stratford in East London southward to Isle of Dogs opened in 1987
> > > using
> > > >>>> totally automated trains. An extension eastward to Canningtown
> > > opened
> > > >> in
> > > >>>> 1994, one under the Thames to Greenwich and Lewisham saw service
> in
> > > >> 1996,
> > > >>>> three more extensions have opened by 2009 and another will open
> next
> > > >> year.
> > > >>>> Docklands is now transporting over 69 million riders a year which
> they
> > > >>>> modestly say exceeds 100,000 a day ... weekdays probably exceed
> > > 215,000.
> > > >>>> You will notice that those short two-section articulated trains of
> > > 1987
> > > >> are
> > > >>>> past tense! If you go to visit the Tower of London or Tower Bridge
> > > >> ...
> > > >>>> sneak away and look at this!
> > > >>>> .!
> > > >>>>> !
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>> Not only are they past tense, the equipment was sold when the
> tunnel
> > > >>>>> to Bank was built, apparently.
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>> I rode it just over a week ago, from Bank to Lewisham. Seems more
> > > akin
> > > >>>>> to the airport people movers than to most light rail.
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>> --
> > > >>>>> Derrick
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>>
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>> --
> > > >>> Herb Brannon
> > > >>> In Cuyahoga Valley National Park
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >>
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > --
> > > > Herb Brannon
> > > > In Cuyahoga Valley National Park
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > --
> > Herb Brannon
> > In Cuyahoga Valley National Park
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
>
>
--
Herb Brannon
In Cuyahoga Valley National Park
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