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I can't tell the difference from two short videos of systems I have never been on, they probably aren't huge. The real difference is how much grade-separation the lines have, that is really what differentiates what is a tram/streetcar and what is LRT to me.
But European lines usually have more grade separation than American lines. That doesn't stop people from calling them tramways.
Quote:
Originally Posted by munchitup
It looks like they use different vehicles though, that is for sure. Looks like with the LYNX car you need to walk up stairs after boarding (similar to how it was on the Green Line in Boston, if recall correctly). The Paris cars look different with lower boarding but it looks like the floor of the cars is very low too, so you don't need to step up into the car.
Nope. Go back and watch the video. The people boarding the Lynx weren't walking up stairs. Here's another video. Fast forward to 2:51 when the kids board.
But European lines usually have more grade separation than American lines. That doesn't stop people from calling them tramways.
Nope. Go back and watch the video. The people boarding the Lynx weren't walking up stairs. Here's another video. Fast forward to 2:51 when the kids board.
Yeah you are right, looks very similar to the Metro LRT system.
I guess I just have never heard anyone call them trams in the United States, that is why it sounds strange to me. I guess I sort of associate Trams more with street-running mixed traffic streetcars.
Usually trams/street-cars are primarily on surface street routes, while light-rail will have more separate grade and offstreet routes. Of course there's light-rail lines that have more on street routes that basically function as street cars just as what are called "trams" in parts of Europe sometimes have their own separated right-of-ways and might be called light-rail in the states.
So it's basically just a set of names applied to similar forms of mass transit. In general though in the States, it's usually that street-cars(or trolleys) are smaller and have more local access routes(and are fairly slow) and basically just serve as local bus routes, while light rail will have routes for longer commuting to suburbs or trips to the airport on grade separated and off-street routes. But yes, often the names are based on a less-clear set of distinctions.
You know what would have been interesting for this article? If they had mentioned all the projects under construction and breaking ground this year in NOMA despite the so called high vacancy rate. There will be 6 new residential high-rise buildings in the 250-400 unit range under construction at some point in 2014 in NOMA not including those under construction despite the Washington Post claiming the sub market has a high vacancy rate.
1. Storey Park
2. Camden NOMA Phase II (sheeting and shoring issued)
3. Avalon (formerly Archstone) Phase II (sheeting and Shoring issued)
4. Capitol Point
5. Union Market Residence
6. Gateway Market Center
Why is that? MBTA designates the Silver Line a "subway" as Deezus pointed out. A car obviously would not qualify because it's not mass transit.
They do? I thought the silver line was always considered Bus-Rapid Transit. You have to draw the line somewhere. If not, than it is opened up for other modes of transportation that have no business being called a subway.
Usually trams/street-cars are primarily on surface street routes, while light-rail will have more separate grade and offstreet routes. Of course there's light-rail lines that have more on street routes that basically function as street cars just as what are called "trams" in parts of Europe sometimes have their own separated right-of-ways and might be called light-rail in the states.
So it's basically just a set of names applied to similar forms of mass transit. In general though in the States, it's usually that street-cars(or trolleys) are smaller and have more local access routes(and are fairly slow) and basically just serve as local bus routes, while light rail will have routes for longer commuting to suburbs or trips to the airport on grade separated and off-street routes. But yes, often the names are based on a less-clear set of distinctions.
When I think of a tram, I think of what they have in Paris. When I think of a streetcar, I think of what they're building in DC.
Usually trams/street-cars are primarily on surface street routes, while light-rail will have more separate grade and offstreet routes. Of course there's light-rail lines that have more on street routes that basically function as street cars just as what are called "trams" in parts of Europe sometimes have their own separated right-of-ways and might be called light-rail in the states.
So it's basically just a set of names applied to similar forms of mass transit. In general though in the States, it's usually that street-cars(or trolleys) are smaller and have more local access routes(and are fairly slow) and basically just serve as local bus routes, while light rail will have routes for longer commuting to suburbs or trips to the airport on grade separated and off-street routes. But yes, often the names are based on a less-clear set of distinctions.
Interesting article, and basically nails down my notion of LRT vs Streetcars.
They do? I thought the silver line was always considered Bus-Rapid Transit. You have to draw the line somewhere. If not, than it is opened up for other modes of transportation that have no business being called a subway.
There aren't too many other modes of public transportation to open it up to. If it runs underground, then why not call it a subway? You can't say that capacity now matters all of a sudden.
It will definitely be a great investment for the city. I can't wait until it's completed.
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