Commuter Rail Overview
North American Commuter Rail Systems
Vancouver
Seattle
Montré
Montréal
Toronto
Syracuse
Chicago
Sacramento
San Francisco
San Jose
Los Angeles
Boston
New York City
Newark
Philadelphia
Baltimore
Washington DC
Nashville
Albuquerque
San Diego
Ft Worth
Dallas
Miami
“Heritage”
Heritage” Systems (Pre(Pre-1985)
“New”
New” Systems (Since 1985)
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What is Commuter Rail?
• A Form of Rapid Transit
– Moves people at speeds greater than
automobile traffic in a corridor
• Typically 35 to 45 mph “commercial” speeds
• Focus on Longer-Distance, Regional Travel Markets
• 20- to 50-mile line lengths
• Stops typically spaced every one to four miles
• Heavy reliance on park-ride access
• Joint Use of Existing Railroad Infrastructure
– Emphasis on fewer, longer trains
– FRA vs. FTA regulatory environment
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What is Commuter Rail?
Transit Productive Capacity
From: Vukan R. Vuchic
Urban Public Transportation: Systems & Technology
502
502
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What is Commuter Rail?
Light Rail
Station Spacing: ½ to 1 mile
System Extent: 15 to 20 miles
Maximum Speed: 65 mph Average Speed (with stops): 25 mph
5
0
2
903
Commuter Rail
Station Spacing: 2 to 4 miles
System Extent: 20 to 75 miles
Maximum Speed: 79 mph Average Speed (with stops): 45 mph
Intercity Rail
Station Spacing: 20 to 30 miles
System Extent: 50 to 300 miles+
Maximum Speed: 110 mph
Average Speed (with stops): 55 mph
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Focus on Regional Travel Markets
• Most cost-effective transit mode in areas of
lower residential densities
Source:
Source:
Delaware Transit Corporation
FiveFive-Year Business Management Plan
(2001)
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Focus on Regional Travel Markets
• Heavy reliance on park-ride access
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Focus on Regional Travel Markets
• Moderate influence on transit supportive land uses
HI
I
N
F
L
U
E
N
C
E
HIGH
Strong
need for
supportive
policies
LO
Rapid
Rail
HIGH
Zone of
influence
narrower
than
rapid rail
Light
Rail
MODERATE
Influence
proportional
to service
Commuter
Rail
LOW
Supportive
but not
inducive
Bus
LOW
Supportive
but not
inducive
Demand
Management
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Joint Use of Railroad Infrastructure
Sharing railroad
facilities can:
• Reduce start-up
and on-going
O&M costs
• Restrict service
frequencies and
growth
–Often results
in fewer,
longer trains
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Joint Use of Railroad Infrastructure
Shared facilities with railroads results in FRA regulation:
• Prescriptive safety, operating & rolling stock requirements
–Results in larger, heavier rolling stock than other modes
–Leads to less frequent, longer train service strategy
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Multiple Rolling Choices
• Locomotive-Hauled or
Self-Propelled (“MU”)
Coaches
• Electric or “Diesel”
– “Diesel” actually
“Diesel-Electric”
• FRA Compliant
or Not
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Locomotive with Superliner Coaches
(Intercity Amtrak Train)
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Locomotive with
Single Level Push
-Pull
Push-Pull
Coaches
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Locomotive with
““Bi-Level”
Bi-Level” Push
-Pull Coaches
Push-Pull
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Locomotive with
““Tri-Level”
Tri-Level” Push
-Pull Coaches
Push-Pull
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Diesel
-Electric or
Diesel-Electric
Electric Locomotives
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Self
-Propelled Electric Coaches
Self-Propelled
((“EMU”)
“EMU”)
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Self
-Propelled Diesel Coaches
Self-Propelled
((“DMU”)
“DMU”)
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Self
-Propelled Diesel Coaches ((“DMU”)
“DMU”)
Self-Propelled
• Single
-Level
Single-Level
• Bi
-Level
Bi-Level
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Commuter Rail Rolling Stock
Non-Compliant DMUs
• Allowable, but…
• Involved FRA Process
• Constrained Service
Option for Light Branch Lines
• South Jersey, Ottawa
Austin, San Diego
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Commuter Rail
What’s the
best choice?
It depends…
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Commuter Rail Overview