[PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain

Dwight Long dwightlong at verizon.net
Wed Mar 9 22:47:30 EST 2011


John

Did he not work for a time at the Port Authority of Allegheny County as well?

Dwight

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: John Swindler 
  To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org 
  Sent: Wednesday, 09 March, 2011 20:51
  Subject: [PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain




  I'll have to see if the W. Millar bio mentions pitching pennies at PennDOT.  



  > From: hrbran at cavtel.net
  > Date: Wed, 9 Mar 2011 18:56:51 -0500
  > Subject: [PRCo] Re: The Rest of the World -Electric Rails - Britain
  > To: pittsburgh-railways at dementia.org
  > 
  >  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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  > 
  > 
         





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