There's a NEW type of railway system that's on trial in Coventry City Centre. Called 'VLR' it stands for Very Light Rail, and is a cheaper, lighter and quick...
The big one they point to is that it’s a step between regular trams and a bus. And quite importantly: even this very basic construction still allows for a more permanent transit solution than a bus. And there is some science pointing to a trend that a lot of people who would not ride busses would ride trams. And with this tech being cheaper than a tram - heck, it’s built in much the same way as very early horse-drawn trams - it’ll allow building rail transport on a tight budget.
It won’t get stuck in car traffic, for one, and it’s reversible so its operational footprint is smaller than that of a bus network. Also predictable because it’s on rails so people outside the tram know exactly where it’s going. Also lower operational and maintenance costs because less wear and smoother ride
Bus lanes are a thing and this is built into a road. So not really an advantage. You add rails and switches to the system. Those need to be maintained as well. The prefictability is really a flaw. Busses can go anywhere with a road. Much more flexible.
So basically it can reverse, which can help, but also requires either two drivers or the driver to walk through the train.
The prefictability is really a flaw. Busses can go anywhere with a road. Much more flexible.
I beg to differ. A pedestrian or a cyclist is much more likely to be hit by a bus because buses can go and turn anywhere. Flexibility is an asset outside of cities and high-density areas, but in an urban area public transit on rails is far superior.
I think the video got the main plus of tram over bus covered, but to point it out, it’s better than bus because its movement isn’t as random as bus, it can only go forward or backward, so it is predictable for pedestrian that wanted to cross the road.
Maybe it’s not meant to serve the whole city but as a feeder shuttle for the LRT or MRT, 70km range is enough for at least half day of operation.
The simpler system and fixed path mean it’s easier to train new operator, and less likely for collision than a bus.
The smaller capacity and cheaper cost mean they can deploy more tram per route, so the arrival frequency would be higher than regular tram system.
The deploying cost of this whole system is cheaper than regular tram, so city council will be more willing to spend the money on this instead of nothing were they wanting a new tram.
What exactly makes this better then a bus?
The big one they point to is that it’s a step between regular trams and a bus. And quite importantly: even this very basic construction still allows for a more permanent transit solution than a bus. And there is some science pointing to a trend that a lot of people who would not ride busses would ride trams. And with this tech being cheaper than a tram - heck, it’s built in much the same way as very early horse-drawn trams - it’ll allow building rail transport on a tight budget.
It won’t get stuck in car traffic, for one, and it’s reversible so its operational footprint is smaller than that of a bus network. Also predictable because it’s on rails so people outside the tram know exactly where it’s going. Also lower operational and maintenance costs because less wear and smoother ride
Bus lanes are a thing and this is built into a road. So not really an advantage. You add rails and switches to the system. Those need to be maintained as well. The prefictability is really a flaw. Busses can go anywhere with a road. Much more flexible.
So basically it can reverse, which can help, but also requires either two drivers or the driver to walk through the train.
I beg to differ. A pedestrian or a cyclist is much more likely to be hit by a bus because buses can go and turn anywhere. Flexibility is an asset outside of cities and high-density areas, but in an urban area public transit on rails is far superior.
they don’t come in threes.
https://youtu.be/bNTg9EX7MLw
This is not a proper tram, but really a battery bus on tram tracks. So low capacity, charging problems combined with fixed routes.
I think the video got the main plus of tram over bus covered, but to point it out, it’s better than bus because its movement isn’t as random as bus, it can only go forward or backward, so it is predictable for pedestrian that wanted to cross the road.
Maybe it’s not meant to serve the whole city but as a feeder shuttle for the LRT or MRT, 70km range is enough for at least half day of operation.
The simpler system and fixed path mean it’s easier to train new operator, and less likely for collision than a bus.
The smaller capacity and cheaper cost mean they can deploy more tram per route, so the arrival frequency would be higher than regular tram system.
The deploying cost of this whole system is cheaper than regular tram, so city council will be more willing to spend the money on this instead of nothing were they wanting a new tram.