Final Report - Pima Association of Governments

High Capacity Transit System Plan - Final Report June 2009
Transit Technologies Analysis
Impact on Land Development
There have been some examples where BRT service with rail‐like attributes has attracted land
development around certain stations. This has particularly been the case where separate busways
or exclusive bus lanes on arterials have been developed. In Brisbane, Australia, and Ottawa,
Cañada, millions of dollars of new investments in residential, office, and retail projects have
occurred along their busway systems. In Boston, over $600 million in new development along the
Washington Street corridor has been realized, much of it attracted by the new Silver Line BRT
service that operates in exclusive bus lanes. Investments in facilities associated with BRT are
almost always greater than investments in facilities associated with local and express bus service,
and this greater investment conveys a sense of permanence that is more attractive to developers.
4.2.3 Light Rail Transit (LRT)
Basic Description of Operation
LRT began as a development of the streetcar to allow higher speeds and increased capacity. LRT
is characterized by its versatility of operation, as it can operate separated from other traffic below
grade, at‐grade, or on an elevated structure, or it can operate together with motor vehicles on the
surface. Service can be operated with single cars or multiple‐car trains. An example LRT train is
shown in Figure 28.
Electric traction power is obtained from an overhead wire, thus eliminating the restrictions
imposed by having a live third rail at ground level. This flexibility helps to keep construction
costs relatively low and explains the popularity this mode has experienced since 1978, when the
first of 14 new North American LRT systems was opened in Edmonton. These newer LRT
systems have adopted a much higher level of segregation from other traffic than earlier systems
enjoyed.
NOTE: Portland LRT operates with one- to two-car trains due to short downtown block lengths.
Photo courtesy of Paul Ryus
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