Light Rail as Part of Princeton's Future

1. PRINCETON FUTURE January 11, 2011 PRINCETON BRANCH TRANSPORTATION ISSUES Jack May

2. SHOULD LIGHT RAILBE IN PRINCETON’SFUTURE?

3. WHY IS IT CALLED LIGHT? • Not because the rails weigh less • Heavy Rail • Subway Systems • Commuter Railroads • Relatively Inexpensive to build • Does not need grade separation • Does not generally operate on tracks shared with freight trains (FRA safety issues) • Relatively Inexpensive to operate • Transit Work Rules instead of Railroad • Fare collection savings

4. SO WHAT IS LIGHT RAIL? • A modern version of the streetcar • Better, a modern version of the interurban • Connected cities at high-speed • Technically Updated for the 21st Century • Propulsion • Amenities

5. LIGHT RAIL FEATURES • Climate Control • 60 mph (or better) operation on rail rights-of-way • Superior ride qualities of rail • Flexibility

6. LIGHT RAIL FLEXIBILITYEnvironment Private rights-of-way • Cross-Country (incl. existing railroads) • Center of roads (arterial, local, highway) • Alongside roads • Underground • Aerial Structures • Flush with surface • In Pavement (Roadways or Plazas) • Compatibility with mixed traffic use • Operation must be able to keep up • On Landscaped Grounds (in grass)

7. LIGHT RAIL FLEXIBILITYOther Characteristics • Seating • Transit • Railroad (Comfortable Cushioned) • Passenger Loading • High-Level platforms • Low-Level platforms less intrusive blends with environment • 70-percent low-floor cars • 100-percent low-floor cars • Multiple-Unit Operation

8. LIGHT RAIL FLEXIBILITYPropulsion • Overhead Power Source • High-Voltage AC • Lower-Voltage DC • Wireless Power (advances being developed) • Batteries (chargeable via overhead) • Super Capacitor (retains surplus energy) • Third Rail • Modern Underground Conduit • Diesel • Dual-Mode (Tram-Train) • Aesthetic and Operational reasons • To use existing railroad facilities

9. LIGHT RAIL RESULTS AND BENEFITS • Mode of Choice in Europe • Major Success in U. S. • All Areas of the Country • Baltimore, Portland, Charlotte, St. Louis • Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix • Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, California • Significantly Lower Cost per Passenger-Mile than bus • Mode highest in growth of passenger volume and retention during recession • Improves Property Values • Stimulates Development • Reduces Traffic Congestion

10. HUDSON-BERGEN LIGHT RAIL

11. PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

12. LIGHT RAIL IN FRANCELe Mans and Nice

13. SUMMARY • Princeton University’s Development Plan can co-exist aesthetically with Light Rail, and provide needed access to the parking structure • Phase I implementation plan • To coincide with the development of the Arts Center • Avoids cutting back the existing service to an isolated point further away from the center of town • Will not discourage existing ridership • Phase II implementation plan • extends the line to Nassau Street via University Place • will increase patronage and utility

14. SUMMARY (Cont’d) A win-win for all stakeholders: Princeton University and Princeton’s residents • Environmentally Friendly • Increased amount of service • Increased access • Increased ridership • A better place to be

15. LIGHT RAIL: PART OF PRINCETON’S FUTURE? PRINCETON