Quote:
Originally Posted by timun
The low-floor LRVs need just as much ROW space; anyone who says otherwise is dreaming. The only difference is that a station platform for a low-floor LRV only needs to be about a foot above grade, instead of a metre. In that respect the actual line will be "better integrated with the road" and more "pedestrian-friendly". But don't be mistaken: the overall size of the new LRVs (CAF Urbos 100) themselves will be very similar to the Siemens trains (SD-160, SD-200) we have now. The new ones may be marginally shorter in height, but we're still talking well over 10 ft/3 m. They won't look all that different than Siemens LRVs running up 7th Ave.
What will make all the difference is the signals along the line. Design isn't finalized obviously, but based on the plan at hand the result will be a fustercluck. The LRT line will join traffic on Centre Street halfway up the hill on the north side of the river; it'll have to be signalized to stop all other traffic. It's likely that every single intersection from 7th Ave to 16th will have a full set of traffic signals. Either that, or the cross-streets will simply dead-end or right-in, right-out with no crossing. It'll suck for all other users of Centre Street.
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Most of the cross street swill be closed, same with those north of 16th. That's why I'm saying it's really a commuter train and stop pretending it isn't, because the priority is given to it, not local communities.