Riverview Corridor’s “Modern Streetcar” is NOT Modern Streetcar
by Jim Schoettler, C.A.R.T.
The Riverview Corridor project took pains to distinguish between Light Rail Transit (LRT) and Modern Streetcar (MS-LRT). They said that LRT required its own dedicated right-of-way, while MS-LRT could run in the street, along with all the other traffic. In fact, they quickly dismissed LRT on this basis and chose MS-LRT for the Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
But MS-LRT has two characteristics that are extremely important: (1) A very low chassis so that riders can step on from the curb; and (2) narrower width so the vehicle is less of a disturbance to adjoining traffic. The step-on ability greatly increases the number of locations for stations, because high platforms and ramps are not required. The narrower width is a very important safety feature, because it reduces dangerous impact on sidewalks, especially those crowded with pedestrians, people seated at street cafés and pets on leashes; and it reduces danger to autos and trucks on adjoining lanes.
Unfortunately, MS-LRT cannot work on West Seventh, because the Riverview Corridor’s vehicle must also conform to the height and width requirements of the Metro Blue Line and Green Line stations on the east end, downtown St Paul (two stations), and on the west end from the airport to the Mall of America (six stations). The floor height for boarding must be 14 inches above the top of the rails and the width must be at least eight and a half feet — in other words, the same as LRT; exactly what they said required its own dedicated Right of Way, and would not work in the Riverview Corridor.
For nearly six years, the Riverview Corridor leadership has been touting Modern Streetcar and illustrating it as the solution to transit needs in the area, while fully aware that MS-LRT would not work. This deception is only one of several fundamental flaws in the current LPA.
But the Riverview Corridor’s administrators seem bent upon building this internally inconsistent and fundamentally flawed LPA, having recently announced a new Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) to let several multi-million-dollar contracts for environmental studies and engineering design of the LPA.
There is no time to lose. The West Seventh community and its city council members must rise up and demand that these studies be halted and the LPA reconsidered. Otherwise, after spending more than $2 billion, the community and east metro will be saddled with this ill-conceived and inadequate folly for generations.
This is, of course, a complete misinterpretation. Milwaukee, Dallas, Oklahoma City, Detroit and the future Tempe, AZ and Orange County, CA lines are modern streetcars that load at low platforms. These work just fine, and load to exact floor height with the streetcars able to adjust floor height even with the platform. This low ramp stops are no barrier at all to people in wheelchairs; no more than an elevator is. Count on such fear mongering when any change is proposed. But don’t take anyone’s word for it… Check for yourself: https://www.milwaukeecitytours.com/tour/streetcar-history/
Do the systems you mention in other cities intersect with light rails?
Mr. Becwar, thank you for your comment. The issue is that Riverview’s vehicle is constrained by the fact that it must have the boarding height and width of LRT vehicles, in order to accommodate the Blue Line and Green Line stations at each end. As such, it will be LRT running on West 7th.
Modern Streetcar, on the other hand, has a low boarding height so passengers can step on from the curb or roll on from a slightly raised platform. This greatly increases the number of locations for stations. Modern Streetcar also has a narrower vehicle to reduce its impact on adjoining traffic or sidewalks. These key characteristics help it conform to the requirements of local public transit.
You must understand that Riverview will not give you the benefits of a Modern Streetcar. It will give you an LRT vehicle running in the street, with all the problems and few of the benefits.