The crucial component for the Peachtree Corridor is a modern streetcar, one that quickly and easily moves people short distances. Here are some frequently asked questions about the streetcar proposed for the Peachtree Corridor.
What exactly is a streetcar?
A streetcar can be broadly defined as any vehicle running on rails in city streets. For our purposes, a streetcar is an electrically powered vehicle operating on rails in a mixed traffic street lane.
Why is a streetcar better for Peachtree than buses?
Streetcars function as a short transit shuttle or connector, in contrast to the longer-distance commuter services typically provided by bus operations. The modern streetcar has many positive features that buses sometimes lack – a smooth and comfortable riding experience, reliability, and the lack of emissions and noise. A streetcar on Peachtree would not necessarily be a replacement of the existing bus service. However, it would eliminate the need for more buses and possibly allow for re-routing some existing bus routes to focus on trips to and from the corridor instead of within the corridor.
What other cities have streetcars?
Almost fifty U.S. cites have existing, planned, or proposed streetcar systems. Cities with operational streetcar systems are Dallas, Little Rock, Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia, Portland, Tampa, San Francisco and Seattle. Cities with planned streetcars systems include Albuquerque, Madison, Charlotte, Miami, Minneapolis, and Washington, D.C.
Streetcars are having a “Renaissance” in the U.S., but they have been a common form of transportation in Europe and other cities in the world for years. Should the streetcar be built along the entire Peachtree Corridor, it would have no comparable system in terms of length and projected ridership in the U.S.
What is a typical streetcar trip length?
Streetcar trips range from a couple blocks to a couple miles, comparing to the average trip length for commuter rail, which ranges from 20 to 23 miles; light rail at 4.4 miles; and bus rapid transit, which is between 4 to 6 miles.
Will fares be charged?
All but one of the eleven streetcar systems researched charge fares for their streetcar systems, so it would be in line with systems in other cities to charge fares here in Atlanta.
How much will fares be?
Fares for streetcar systems researched range from $0.25 to $5.00 for a one-way trip, with an average fare of $1.70. This is in line with the current MARTA fare of $1.75 for one-way travel. The exact fare would be set based on estimated streetcar ridership and the availability of other funding sources and revenue to offset the capital, operations, and maintenance costs of the streetcar system.
Will there be a "free fare zone?"
Free fare zones are segments of the systems in which patrons can ride for free. A large portion of Portland’s streetcar system operates in a free fare zone, in which there is no charge for riders who only travel within the “Fareless Square.” The decision to have a free fare zone for the Peachtree Streetcar should be based on a number of factors, including the anticipated revenue generated from fares, and how many of the stops will be in the free fare zone.
How far does a person need to walk to get to a stop?
A person would never have to walk more than a couple blocks to get to a stop. The proposed stops for the Peachtree Streetcar are approximately one-quarter mile, or 1,320 feet, apart. The proposed stop locations are close to major destinations in the corridor, and have been identified in areas where redevelopment may occur to provide the possibility of obtaining more right-of-way for stations.
What are the typical waiting times, or headways for the streetcar?
Typical headways for existing streetcar systems are every 10-15 minutes during weekdays and Saturdays. Streetcars would likely run slower, arriving every 15-20 minutes, during off-peak times (early morning before 9:00 a.m. and late night after 5:00 p.m.) and Sundays.
What will the streetcar stops/stations look like?
A typical station requires nine feet of right-of-way and four feet for a bike lane, in addition to the sidewalk. Stations consist of a raised concrete platform, shelter, and basic amenities such as a bench, lighting, trash receptacle, and passenger information. Stations can also include a real-time information system and ticket vending machines.
How are streetcars powered?
All current streetcar projects in the U.S. are powered by direct electrical contact with an overhead wire. This is called an overhead contact system (OCS). With OCS, one or more wires are situated 16 to 25 feet above the rail tracks. The overhead contact wire is powered from substations, which convert commercial power to power in the lines.
Streetcars stop using friction brakes, where a pad or brake shoe is applied to the tread of the wheel. Typically one person is needed to operate, regulate the speed, control the doors, and ensure safe operation of the streetcar.
Are streetcars noisy?
Electric powered streetcars are not as noisy as fuel powered vehicles. It is not expected that noise from the streetcar will impact residents and businesses along the Peachtree Corridor.� Portland’s modern streetcar is not noisy. More than 95 percent of Portland residents and business owners surveyed along the streetcar route relayed no noise impact from the streetcar.
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