Title: Planning for Introduction of Modern Light Rail Transit into a Vintage Trolley System
Abstract: Having implemented three separate lines in the past 13 years, the Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has been a leader in development of vintage rail trolley service. The system currently is comprised of about seven miles of rail and functions as a downtown circulator for the Central Business District, the Medical District, and nearby areas which are rapidly developing. Some portions of the existing downtown trolley system were designed and built to accommodate modern Light Rail Transit (LRT). The Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Long Range Transportation Plan includes fixed guideway transit investment in multiple regional corridors. MATA is currently conducting an Alternatives Analysis study for the top priority regional corridor, the Downtown-Airport Corridor, which would connect with the downtown trolley system. LRT is the chosen technology for the Downtown-Airport Corridor. This paper documents development of the existing system and presents considerations for planning for modern LRT service on a regional basis and integration of LRT service on the existing system. Among the topics addressed in this paper are the: (1) public perceptions of the existing trolley system and proposed light rail system; (2) similarities and differences between modern LRT and vintage trolley infrastructure that affect planning; and (3) coordinating with the MPO on planning requirements and models necessary to advance the rail program.
Publication Year: 2006
Publication Date: 2006-01-01
Language: en
Type: article
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