1 PRINCETON FUTURE January 11, 2011 PRINCETON BRANCH TRANSPORTATION ISSUES Jack May

2 SHOULD LIGHT RAIL BE IN PRINCETON’S FUTURE?

3 WHY IS IT CALLED LIGHT? Not because the rails weigh less Heavy Rail – –Subway Systems – –Commuter Railroads Relatively Inexpensive to build – –Does not need grade separation – –Does not generally operate on tracks shared with freight trains (FRA safety issues) Relatively Inexpensive to operate – –Transit Work Rules instead of Railroad – –Fare collection savings

4 SO WHAT IS LIGHT RAIL? A modern version of the streetcar Better, a modern version of the interurban – –Connected cities at high-speed – –Technically Updated for the 21st Century » »Propulsion » »Amenities

5 LIGHT RAIL FEATURES Climate Control 60 mph (or better) operation on rail rights-of-way Superior ride qualities of rail Flexibility

6 LIGHT RAIL FLEXIBILITY Environment Private rights-of-way – –Cross-Country (incl. existing railroads) – –Center of roads (arterial, local, highway) – –Alongside roads Underground Aerial Structures Flush with surface – –In Pavement (Roadways or Plazas) » »Compatibility with mixed traffic use » »Operation must be able to keep up – –On Landscaped Grounds (in grass)

7 LIGHT RAIL FLEXIBILITY Other Characteristics Seating – –Transit – –Railroad (Comfortable Cushioned) Passenger Loading – –High-Level platforms – –Low-Level platforms less intrusive blends with environment » »70-percent low-floor cars » »100-percent low-floor cars Multiple-Unit Operation

8 LIGHT RAIL FLEXIBILITY Propulsion Overhead Power Source – –High-Voltage AC – –Lower-Voltage DC Wireless Power (advances being developed) – –Batteries (chargeable via overhead) – –Super Capacitor (retains surplus energy) – –Third Rail – –Modern Underground Conduit – –Diesel Dual-Mode (Tram-Train) – –Aesthetic and Operational reasons – –To use existing railroad facilities

9 LIGHT RAIL RESULTS AND BENEFITS Mode of Choice in Europe Major Success in U. S. – –All Areas of the Country » »Baltimore, Portland, Charlotte, St. Louis » »Minneapolis, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix » »Denver, Salt Lake City, Seattle, California – –Significantly Lower Cost per Passenger- Mile than bus – –Mode highest in growth of passenger volume and retention during recession Improves Property Values Stimulates Development Reduces Traffic Congestion

10 HUDSON-BERGEN LIGHT RAIL

11 PORTLAND STATE UNIVERSITY

12 LIGHT RAIL IN FRANCE Le Mans and Nice

13 SUMMARY Princeton University’s Development Plan can co-exist aesthetically with Light Rail, and provide needed access to the parking structure Phase I implementation plan – –To coincide with the development of the Arts Center – –Avoids cutting back the existing service to an isolated point further away from the center of town – –Will not discourage existing ridership Phase II implementation plan – –extends the line to Nassau Street via University Place – –will increase patronage and utility

14 SUMMARY (Cont’d) A win-win for all stakeholders: Princeton University and Princeton’s residents Environmentally Friendly Increased amount of service Increased access Increased ridership A better place to be

15 LIGHT RAIL: PART OF PRINCETON’S FUTURE? PRINCETON