You think some time in the future WMATA will purchase E40's or E60's? or do you think we would get Light Rail?
I don't think anyone's gonna do too much ETB construction because they don't provide any capacity over buses; it's just a new fuel source. With hybrids and stuff running around and that technology only getting better, I don't think there's any demand for new construction.
Quote from: DE40LFR on November 11, 2008, 12:07:07 PM
You think some time in the future WMATA will purchase E40's or E60's? or do you think we would get Light Rail?
With what wires would you power the buses? Considering how hard it is to install overhead wires in DC, it probably isn't worth doing TT.
In order for an ETB line to be a success in Washington, you would need the following:
1 - A line of reasonable length ( no greater than 10 mi, though 6 would likely be a better idea) with little to no variation (branches)
2 - An all local line that is reasonably straight (ETB's and curves aren't always the best friends).
3 - A heavy line with at least a 10 minute peak headway
4 - A line that is on or very close to a division,
5 - A line that doesn't enter Downtown DC due to the wire prohibition.
The Q2 might almost qualify, but it's not all that close to the depot and would require the expense of "deadhead wire."
The H line is probably too varied to qualify. Otherwise, I can't think of any line that stands out as an obvious choice for ETB.
Quote from: btconet on November 11, 2008, 08:22:04 PM
In order for an ETB line to be a success in Washington, you would need the following:
1 - A line of reasonable length ( no greater than 10 mi, though 6 would likely be a better idea) with little to no variation (branches)
2 - An all local line that is reasonably straight (ETB's and curves aren't always the best friends).
3 - A heavy line with at least a 10 minute peak headway
4 - A line that is on or very close to a division,
5 - A line that doesn't enter Downtown DC due to the wire prohibition.
The Q2 might almost qualify, but it's not all that close to the depot and would require the expense of "deadhead wire."
The H line is probably too varied to qualify. Otherwise, I can't think of any line that stands out as an obvious choice for ETB.
The X2? Probably not the H. The H line does make a lot of turns. The Q2...maybe not. But WMATA wouldn't need those anyway. Ugh, I forgot the X2 enters downtown D.C.
Trackless definately would not work around the DC area. Seems too costly to provide an alternative. It's just a dying breed of transportation in America. San Fran, Dayton, Philly, and Boston are still keeping it alive for now.
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on December 10, 2008, 11:02:12 PM
Trackless definately would not work around the DC area. Seems too costly to provide an alternative. It's just a dying breed of transportation in America. San Fran, Dayton, Philly, and Boston are still keeping it alive for now.
I think ETBs would work well on specific routes. For instance I think dual mode ETBs would work well on the proposed CCT in Montgomery County. If they were based at a garage near Shady Grove and used "wire" in the actual CCT bus way but then used diesel for neighborhood circulation off of the busway. This would provide maximum flexibility and decrease exhaust and noise polllution.
Quote from: WMAveteran on December 11, 2008, 01:57:25 AM
I think ETBs would work well on specific routes. For instance I think dual mode ETBs would work well on the proposed CCT in Montgomery County. If they were based at a garage near Shady Grove and used "wire" in the actual CCT bus way but then used diesel for neighborhood circulation off of the busway. This would provide maximum flexibility and decrease exhaust and noise polllution.
That's if the CCT chooses a BRT option. Dual-mode ETBs. Eh. The Neo ones in Boston kinda threw me off of them. Seattle basically chopped and screwed their Bredas making them straight electric before scrapping them to go to hybrids. Other than that, there was no other DM ones made. What I would love to see is having the CCT similar to the Orange Line in LA. Maybe seeing some 60BRTs running along the pike and since Gaithersburg already has CNG fueling, that would be the perfect site to house the BRT buses.
I'm thinking a downside to ETBs, especially on a busy route is that in cases where a bus catches his leader, they can't pass another ETB.
Quote from: 79MetroExtraMD on December 11, 2008, 09:56:39 AM
Quote from: WMAveteran on December 11, 2008, 01:57:25 AM
I think ETBs would work well on specific routes. For instance I think dual mode ETBs would work well on the proposed CCT in Montgomery County. If they were based at a garage near Shady Grove and used "wire" in the actual CCT bus way but then used diesel for neighborhood circulation off of the busway. This would provide maximum flexibility and decrease exhaust and noise polllution.
That's if the CCT chooses a BRT option. Dual-mode ETBs. Eh. The Neo ones in Boston kinda threw me off of them. Seattle basically chopped and screwed their Bredas making them straight electric before scrapping them to go to hybrids. Other than that, there was no other DM ones made. What I would love to see is having the CCT similar to the Orange Line in LA. Maybe seeing some 60BRTs running along the pike and since Gaithersburg already has CNG fueling, that would be the perfect site to house the BRT buses.
I enjoyed riding the Silver Line DMs in Boston except for the very bumpy pavement in the tunnel. I am in favor of any form that does not use oil directly.