NTRAC Final Study - Nebraska Department of Roads - State of ...
NTRAC Final Study - Nebraska Department of Roads - State of ...
NTRAC Final Study - Nebraska Department of Roads - State of ...
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CHAPTER 4 – TECHNOLOGY OPITONS<br />
FINDINGS AND CONCLUSIONS<br />
Its use <strong>of</strong> the infrastructure and facilities <strong>of</strong> the general railroad system makes commuter rail an<br />
attractive option for achieving regional mobility improvements at a fraction <strong>of</strong> the cost <strong>of</strong> a light<br />
rail transit (LRT) system. Intercity rail is also a viable technology alternative and could be a<br />
considered option, if merited by travel demand. The DMU is an appropriate and cost-effective<br />
technology for the Lincoln-Omaha corridor under study. Locomotive-hauled intercity trains are<br />
best utilized for longer distance and higher density corridors than any <strong>of</strong> those identified by this<br />
study.<br />
Express bus and bus rapid transit (BRT) are viable technology alternatives and could be a<br />
considered option. However, with the anticipated widening <strong>of</strong> I-80, US-275, US-6, and N-133 –<br />
all routes which express bus services would utilize – there appears no need <strong>of</strong> a exclusive or<br />
semi-exclusive mixed traffic lanes, which denote BRT. Thus, express bus appears the more<br />
appropriate option for a bus technology in the three service scenarios under study.<br />
The cost <strong>of</strong> the propulsion system infrastructure precludes LRT from being a cost-effective<br />
technology in long distance corridors with light travel volumes. Therefore, this technology is not<br />
recommended for any <strong>of</strong> the service scenarios being examined.<br />
It is recommended that study effort not be expended on any monorail (MRL) or other automated<br />
guideway transit (AGT) or personal rapid transit (PRT) alternatives. These technologies do not<br />
serve long distance corridors appropriately. Some PRT or AGT technologies could be applied to<br />
localized circulation systems in certain station catchment areas, primarily in large hospital,<br />
university or commercial campuses or central business districts. However, such systems are very<br />
expensive to design, construct, operate and maintain.<br />
An Alternative Technology – Van-pools<br />
Though strictly not a high capacity urban technology (and therefore not analyzed here), vanpools<br />
hold the potential for efficient public-sponsored transportation in light density corridors.<br />
Reportedly, Metro Area Transit (MAT) in Omaha is investigating implementation <strong>of</strong> a van-pool<br />
program, similar to a Des Moines, IA program that started about eight years ago with four vans.<br />
According to the Omaha World Herald (July 26, 2003), that program now moves 550 commuters<br />
in 63 vans.<br />
Conceivably, MAT would supply leased vans, and riders would pay a monthly fee that would<br />
cover maintenance, insurance, and fuel. Each van’s passengers would pick a driver from among<br />
themselves, and they would determine the van’s route. The program could be self-supporting<br />
and implemented in all three commute corridors under study.<br />
384180<br />
NEBRASKA TRANSIT CORRIDORS STUDY<br />
Page 4 - 13<br />
WILBUR SMITH ASSOCIATES