Bus Rapid Transit vs. Commuter Rail - Part 2
WHAT IS COMMUTER RAIL?
Commuter Rail is one of several forms of passenger rail, considered to be rapid transit. In this article, we’ll attempt to break down the different types of urban public rail transportation systems and their construction costs compared to our current BRT plans.
**UPDATE: The original JTA BRT map posted in Part I, is a scanned image from 2004. JTA now has an updated plan (downtown routes change a little) at: www.jtaflorida.org/rts/pdf/RTSbrochure.pdf
Another issue with BRT not mentioned in the previous article would be pressure to convert them into toll lanes (aka Lexus Lanes), allowing regular drivers to bypass congestion for a fee, which would allow JTA to raise money for the system. That could be a good idea, but its not rapid transit.
TYPES OF URBAN PASSENGER RAIL SYSTEMS
Source: URS Corp.
Historic Trolley/Streetcar
Operates in downtown environments, typically single units rather than trains
Tampa Streetcar
Characteristics:
Guidance 2 railroad rails
Propulsion electric traction motor
with overhead electricity
Maximum Speed 30 to 40 mph
Passengers/Car 31 to 100
Maximum Grade 4 to 6 %
Vehicle Length 30 to 50 feet
Cost per Mile $10 to $40 million
Notes: Stations typically 1/4 to 1/2 mile apart, higher capital and maintenance $ than buses
Light Rail
Typically associated with urban and suburban areas
Houston’s new Metro light rail line (Built for the 2004 Super Bowl)
Characteristics:
Guidance 2 railroad rails
Propulsion electric traction motor
with overhead power collector
Maximum Speed 35 to 60 mph
Passengers/Car 72 to 200
Maximum Grade 4 - 8 %
Vehicle Length 50 to 90 feet
Cost per Mile $20 to $40 million
Systems include: Metrolink (St. Louis); DART (Dallas); MAX (Portland); C-Train (Calgary)
Notes: Stations spaced 1-2 miles apart
Monorail
Typically associated with airports, activity centers, downtown areas, elevated right-of-way
Open since Summer 2004, the Las Vegas Monorail attracts over 18,000 riders a day
Characteristics:
Guidance center guide beam
Propulsion electric traction motor with third rail power
Maximum Speed 35 to 55 mph
Passengers/Car 35 to 90
Maximum Grade 4 - 8 %
Vehicle Length 24 to 40 feet
Cost per Mile $40 to $80 million
Systems include: Seattle’s Monorail, Las Vegas’ Monorail
Notes: vehicle cost $1-2 million
People Mover Systems
Typically associated with airports, activity centers, downtown areas, travels faster than monorail
Jacksonville’s Skyway Express is one of three downtown people mover systems in the country
Characteristics:
Guidance Custom guide rails
Propulsion electric traction motor with third rail power
Maximum Speed 50 to 60 mph
Passengers/Car 48 to 205
Maximum Grade 4 - 8 %
Vehicle Length 11 to 58 feet
Cost per Mile $40 to $100 million
Systems include: Skyway Express (Jacksonville); People Mover (Detroit); Metromover (Miami)
Notes: Limited length to 2 miles
Heavy Rail–Third Rail
Typically associated with corridor lengths of 10 to 15 miles
Washington, DC’s Metro (Third Rail Subway)
Characteristics:
Guidance Standard railroad track
Propulsion electric traction motor with third rail power
Maximum Speed 70 mph
Passengers/Car 70 - 130
Maximum Grade 4-7%
Vehicle Length 70 to 90 feet
Cost per Mile $100 - $250 million
Systems include: MARTA (Atlanta); Metro (DC); Metrorail (Miami); “El” (Chicago)
Notes: Frequency of service: 5 to 10 minutes (peak hours), 10 to 20 minutes (off-peak hours)
Fare collection is typically done at stations, and boarding is from high-level platforms.
** Heavy Rail – Commuter Rail **
Typically associated with corridor lengths of 20 to 50 miles
Open since 2000, Sound Transit operates the Sounder between Seattle and Tacoma, WA
Characteristics:
Guidance Standard railroad track
Propulsion diesel-electric or electric trains
Maximum Speed 50 mph
Passengers/Car 70 - 130
Maximum Grade 4-7%
Vehicle Length 70 to 90 feet
Station Spacing 2 to 5 miles apart
Cost per Mile $2 - $10 million
Systems include: Trinity Express (Dallas); Music City Star (Nashville); Tri-Rail (South Florida)
Notes: Frequency of service: every 30 minutes (peak hours), 1 to 2 hours (off-peak hours)
Fare collection is typically on board the train by cash or ticket, and boarding is normally from low
platforms
**JTA Bus Rapid Transit **
29 Mile Express Bus System
Characteristics:
Power Source diesel-hybrid buses
Maximum Speed 55+ mph (stops every mile or so)
Passengers (Seated) 55
Vehicle Length 60
Station Spacing 1.07 miles (27 spaces/29 mile long system)
Cost per Mile $21 million ($611 million - 2004 estimate)
Systems include: Miami Busway, Pittsburgh Busways, Ottawa Transitways
Notes: Significant parts of system travels along with vehicular traffic. System doesn’t provide access to suburbs, airport or rapidly growing areas of town.
For more info: www.jtaflorida.org/rts/pdf/RTSbrochure.pdf
EXAMPLES OF COMMUTER RAIL
JTA’s initial study concluded that Bus Rapid Transit was a more viable and affordable option, after being compared to light rail. This is true for several reasons. Jacksonville is a spread out town, with low overall population density. Those are negative factors for light rail and the cost per mile to construct can be double the cost of BRT. However, for regional commuter rail, those perceived negative factors become positives. Stations are typically spaced 2 to 5 miles apart and they are designed to connect central city cores with suburban areas. Add in the fact that they cover more ground, BRT cost twice as much to construct, and they do mix with vehicular traffic and this competition starts to get ugly pretty quick.
Due to the inexpensive price (compared to BRT, light and heavy rail) to get up and running, many cities have turned their sights onto commuter rail. Today there are several examples of commuter rail systems that act as effective urban rapid transit systems. Here are a few:
MUSIC CITY STAR
Nashville, TN
Characteristics:
Propulsion Ex-Amtrak EMD F40PH diesel-electric locomotives
Maximum Speed 103 mph (locomotive speed)
Passengers/Car 155 seated
Estimated Ridership 1,350 riders
System length 32 miles
Number of stations Six
Cost per Mile $1.25 million ($40 million project)
Completion Date July 2006
Notes: By far the most bargain-priced aspect of Nashville's rail starter line project has been the rolling stock – 11 bi-level coaches obtained from Chicago's Metra regional passenger rail agency for $1.00 (yes, that's one dollar) apiece.
For more info: https://www.musiccitystar.org/
CENTRAIL
Orlando, FL
Characteristics:
Propulsion Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU)
Maximum Speed 70 mph
Passengers/Car 218 seated
Estimated Ridership 3,500 daily (first year)
System length 54 miles
Number of stations 15
Cost per Mile $7.76 million ($473.5 million project)
Completion Date Groundbreaking 2007; estimated completion 2009
Notes: Along with the state, 4 Central Florida counties will split the cost to run the system down CSX’s main line. Plan also involves re-routing CSX freight trains away from the core of the city. Service is expected to run every 30 minutes during peak hours and 2 hours, during off peak hours.
For more info: https://www.metroplanorlando.com/site/upload/documents/commuter_rail_update_july05.pdf
CAPITOL METRO
Austin, TX
Characteristics:
Propulsion diesel-electric (urban model selected because its quiet & neighborhood friendly)
Maximum Speed --
Passengers/Car 225 standing
Estimated daily ridership 17,000 daily by 2025
System length 32 miles
Number of stations Nine
Cost per Mile $2.8 million/mile ($90 million project)
Completion Date 2008
Notes: $39 million would be used for constructing nine commuter rail stations, $19 million for improving rail tracks and $2 million to build maintenance facilities, $5 million annual operation costs and $30 million for modern state-of-the-art rail cars.
For more info: https://allsystemsgo.capmetro.org/proposed_long_range.asp
RAIL RUNNER EXPRESS
Albuquerque, NM
Characteristics:
Rolling stock diesel-electric locomotives & Bombardier Bi-level Coaches
Maximum Speed 79 mph
Passengers/Car 140 seated
Estimated ridership n/a
System length 51 miles (phase 1)
Number of stations Nine (including downtown & airport)
Cost per Mile $2.65 million/mile ($135 million project)
Completion Date Groundbreaking 2005, 2008 estimated completion date
Notes: New Mexico DOT reached a deal with BNSF to purchase nearly 300 miles of rail line for $75 million
For more info: www.nmrailrunner.com or www.mrcog-nm.gov/Rail_Runner.htm
NORTHSTAR CORRIDOR
Minneapolis, MN
Characteristics:
Rolling stock diesel-electric locomotives & Bombardier Bi-level Coaches
Maximum Speed 79 mph
Passengers/Car 150-162 seated
Estimated daily ridership 5,600 trips (10,000 daily capacity)
System length 40 miles
Number of stations Nine
Cost per Mile $7.68 million/mile ($307 million project)
Completion Date Groundbreaking 2007, service estimated to begin 2009
Notes: State of Minneasota and Burlington Northern Santa Fe worked a deal for a one time payment of $108 million, to allow Northstar to run passenger trains on BNSF rail lines. This deal was instrumental because BNSF runs over 50 freight trains per day on the profitable rail line. The costs will be split between the state and 30 counties that are partners in the project. Tickets projected to cost between $4 and $6. 16 trains scheduled per day.
For more info: https://www.northstartrain.org/
SAN DIEGO SPRINTER
San Diego, CA
Characteristics:
Rolling stock Diesel multiple units (Will be operated as a hybrid light rail system)
Maximum Speed 55 mph
Passengers/Car 226
Estimated daily ridership 10,300 daily during first year (36,200 by 2030)
System length 22 miles
Number of stations 15
Cost per Mile $17 million ($375 million project)
Completion Date December 2007
Notes: 64 train trips/day from 5am to 9pm (every 30 minutes). Flat fee of $1.75 for a single trip; $3.75 for day pass. Expensive costs are a result of rebuilding existing freight line 8 feet higher to keep it out of a flood plain. However, even at $17 million/mile, this state-of-the-art system is still $4 million cheaper/mile than our planned BRT system.
For more info: www.gonctd.com/oerail/oerail.html
Quote of the day:
"The reality is if we expect public transportation to be a reality, we can not wait 20 years."
Ed Gallo, Escondido Councilman (regarding planning of Sprinter system)