Table of Contents

Foreword 1.0 Introduction 1.1 The literature on light rail1.2 The development of light rail1.3 Environmental Impacts1.4 Planning light rail1.5 Engineering light rail1.6 Affordable light rail1.7 US TRB Light Rail Study1.8 UK National Audit Office and Audit Commission Reports2.0 Characteristics of Light Rail2.1 Market perception2.2 Tramways incremental development2.3 Abandonment and reinvention2.4 Alignment and locations2.5 Operation2.6 Equipment and standards2.7 Under street utilities3.0 Planning Light Rail3.1 Setting goals or objectives3.2 Demand3.3 Performance3.4 Stations and stops3.5 Land use integration3.6 Co-ordination with property development3.7 Meeting civic and environmental objectives3.8 Co-ordination with property development3.9 Meeting civic and environmental objectives3.10 Freight on light rail4.0 Engineering Light Rail4.1 Design and other standards4.2 Design constraints4.3 Tracks4.4 Stops and stations4.5 Depot4.6 Overhead line and electrification4.7 Sub stations and distribution4.8 Construction and installation4.9 Commissioning4.10 Maintenance and repairs4.11 Refurbishment and enhancement4.12 System extension and development4.13 Engineering for freight on light rail5.0 Affordable Light Rail5.1 Capital costs5.2 Operating costs5.3 Patronage. Fares and revenue5.4 Financial viability5.5 Project funding5.6 Economic appraisal and cost benefit analysis5.7 Implementation and phasing5.8 Commercial operation6.0 Marketing6.1 Marketing6.2 Advertising and launch6.3 Building patronage6.4 Product life cycle6.5 Re launch 6.6 Staffing6.7 Community involvement6.8 Route structure and service frequency7.0 Case Studies7.1 San Diego, USA7.2 Calgary, Canada7.3 Karlsruhe, Germany7.4 Nantes, France7.5 Sheffield, England7.6 Sydney, Australia7.7 Galway City (GLUAS), Ireland8.0 Conclusions8.1 Meeting community needs8.2 Satisfying market demands8.3 Achieving commercial viability8.4 Learning from experience8.5 Get it right first time8.6 Diversification8.7 Building a networkReferencesAppendicesIndex

About the Author

Professor Lewis Lesley is a chartered professional engineer and registered professional engineer who does substantial consulting work for major bus operators, local authorities and rail operators throughout the U.K. and the world. He graduated from Kings College London with a BSc in Mathematics and Physics and received his Ph.D. in Transportation Engineering from Strathclyde University. Dr. Lesley has published more than 200 technical papers in refereed international journals and is the author or editor of 25 books.

Reviews

"This is an excellent handbook that clearly sets out the main facets of tramway design, development and implementation. I found it an inspiring read and I do hope others will take heed of the volume of good advice." -David Keay, Her Majesty's Principal Inspector of Railways; "I absolutely loved reading this book and it helped me realize that the conditions for our proposed line are nearly optimal in terms of operational profitability. What we have may be the first profitable transit line in America." -John Krause, CEO, Chicago Streetcar Co.