Comments on: Modern Streetcar Update: Engineering Firm Being Selected, Design/Engineering Work Underway By December

By: DC

DC — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 23:33:54 +0000

Great news! Firm selection in a month, and 1-year design phase. So we should be hoping to see construction begin in Jan 2011?

By: Kevin Buchanan

Kevin Buchanan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 22:12:49 +0000

Jonathan,

It’s a difference of scale and intent. A modern streetcar, like Portland’s or the one Fort Worth is designing, uses lighter vehicles, runs primarily in-street with traffic, and makes stops every few blocks. It is a neighborhood connector/circulator and “pedestrian accelerator.”

Light rail is like Portland’s MAX, the Mpls line, the DART trains in Dallas, etc. and consists of larger, heavier vehicles that run in their own right-of-way, and makes stops farther apart. It is generally more of a commuter-oriented or more district-to-district sort of system, though it sometimes makes more frequent stops such as in downtown settings.

Streetcars don’t need as much infrastructure as light rail. They only require scraping off the top layer of street, placing tracks, and re-paving, whereas light rail needs a stronger base. They also require a less-elaborate overhead power source than light rail. They are more maneuverable and can get into neighborhoods more than light rail. They can also operate with a minimum of infrastructure at stops, usually not much more than a bus-type shelter, where light rail generally needs more formal stations. Because of all that, they are generally much less expensive to build than a light rail line.

They’re basically two different things that accomplish different goals, but they look just similar enough to where the distinctions are sometimes hard to pick out.

Electric buses aren’t being discussed. The T’s current CNG-powered bus fleet will remain.

By: Jonathan

Jonathan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 21:51:18 +0000

Help me understand a little better here- what is the difference between a “streetcar” and “light-rail” like I’m familiar with in Minneapolis?

Are electric buses being discussed? I see those during my travels to the northwest (Portland, Seattle, Vancouver) and I have to say I find them to be aesthetically disgusting with all the power lines criss-crossing the streets. I think a system like the streetcar/light-rail is much more tolerable as their power sources are much less obtrusive.

By: Witherspoon D

Witherspoon D — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 20:42:32 +0000

This is a huge step forward. Bravo, Fort Worth Leaders!

By: Kevin Buchanan

Kevin Buchanan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:27:36 +0000

I totally get you. Like Mike from Fort Worth South, Inc. up there said, a lot of the participants would love for it to be free, but it doesn’t seem like that was do-able.

At the least, we’ll make an effort to attend and report back on everything. And I have no doubt there’ll be more free public meetings about the streetcar project.

By: shawnd.

shawnd. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 18:06:45 +0000

I’ll accept that Kevin. I’m just looking out for – the rest of us.

thanks,
shawn d.

By: Kevin Buchanan

Kevin Buchanan — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:44:19 +0000

To be fair, it’s not so much a “public meeting,” of the sort that we have already had (and will undoubtedly have more of) during the streetcar process. It’s a day-long conference of planning and government leaders (including out-of-state) on the importance of rail transit (not just the streetcar) for the city. Considering the cost of the thing and that it’s not being presented as an open public meeting, I’m not sure that there ought to be an expectation of it being free.

By: shawnd.

shawnd. — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 17:07:42 +0000

Although it may not sound like it… I’m really not trying to pick a fight here, but I have a problem w/ this statement- “it ($50) should be a good value and a great chance for those interested in bringing more rail transit to Fort Worth (or not) to influence the discussion.” I really don’t like the thought that a persons influence “cost $50″. That seems to push out those who may not be able to afford to go to this conference, but still want a say.

thanks,
shawn d.

By: Martin

Martin — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:58:23 +0000

You may have already thought of this, but could any of the presentations or the conference be summarized down to a suitable FNA meeting presentation? (If you already have done this, nevermind. I’ve missed the last several meetings).

By: Mike Brennan

Mike Brennan — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:09:13 +0000

The biggest cost item for the conference is the food, but there are also keynote speaker fees, banquet room fees at the Sheraton, and A/V equipment rental. Believe me, the groups working on this wish we could present the conference for free, but as Kevin said, it should be a good value and a great chance for those interested in bringing more rail transit to Fort Worth (or not) to influence the discussion.

Mike Brennan
Fort Worth South, Inc.