Main      Site Guide    
Message Forum
Re: Predictions for the new century (a head start)
Posted By: Andrea, on host 192.127.94.7
Date: Thursday, November 30, 2000, at 03:07:29
In Reply To: Predictions for the new century (a head start) posted by Howard on Wednesday, November 29, 2000, at 11:23:31:

> 2.There will be a boom in passenger rail service in the United States.

It depends.
Does the US Government want to spend a lot of money in improving/upgrading the existing lines and in creating new ones?

> Monorails and maglev trains will only see limited use.

I agree.

> Trolly cars, with only minor differences from the ones that ran in the 1940, will make a comeback in a number of major cities.

It depends.
Trolleybuses (or trackless trolleys) are most cost-effective in cities up to 50.000 people or in cities that haven't a rail system. Streetcar systems, updated to the new technology known as LRV (Light Rail Vehicles) are the best choice for lines that require at least 15.000 passengers/hour, or 25.000 if the system is totally new - laying down rails, repaving roads and maintaining the infrastructures for such a system need a lot of fundings or income from passenger transit.
As far as technology is concerned, streetcars and trolleybuses have been really improved, in safety, automation, comfort and convenience; the only thing they share with pre-war ones are the rails and the overhead wirings.

Since early 90s many European cities (at least one in every state) restored their trolleybus/streetcar systems, improving the existing and creating a lot of new routes.

You're going to buy (as Seattle and Boston did since early 90s) a lot of consultancy and technology from Italy/France and Japan.

AP.

Replies To This Message