Trackway Infrastructure Guidelines for Light Rail ...

1 Trackway Infrastructure GuidelinesTrackway Infrastructure GuidelinesforforLight rail Circulator SystemsLight rail Circulator SystemsPresentation to:Presentation to:Presentation to:APTA Streetcar & Heritage Trolley SubcommitteeAPTA Streetcar & Heritage Trolley SubcommitteeAPTA Streetcar & Heritage Trolley Subcommitteeby: Lawrence G. Lovejoy, Parsons Brinckerhoffby: Lawrence G. Lovejoy, Parsons Brinckerhoffby: Lawrence G. Lovejoy, Parsons BrinckerhoffDecember 6 2008 December 6 2008 December 6 2008 Trackway Infrastructure GuidelinesTrackway Infrastructure GuidelinesforforLight rail Circulator SystemsLight rail Circulator SystemsAuthored by:Authored by.

2 Russ Jackson, STVRuss Jackson, STV Jim Graebner,Jim Graebner,TranSystemsTranSystems Larry Lovejoy, PBLarry Lovejoy, PBTechnical assistance &Technical assistance &reviewreview Jack Boorse, PBJack Boorse, PBLight rail Circulator SystemsLight rail Circulator Systems Typically provide transit service within a singleTypically provide transit service within a singlemunicipal jurisdictionmunicipal jurisdiction Typically donTypically don t require speed, capacity andt require speed, capacity andmultiplemultiple--unit capability of lineunit capability of line--haul LRThaul LRT Must be able to negotiate street patterns inMust be able to negotiate street patterns inthe urban center, often in mixed trafficthe urban center.

3 Often in mixed traffic ShouldShould fit infit in with the scale of residentialwith the scale of residentialareas contiguous to the urban centerareas contiguous to the urban center Often require rolling stock which can negotiateOften require rolling stock which can negotiatesmaller radius curves than customary Light railsmaller radius curves than customary Light railstandardsstandardsLight rail Circulator SystemsLight rail Circulator SystemsRecently constructedRecently constructedexamples:examples: PortlandPortlandLight rail Circulator SystemsLight rail Circulator SystemsRecently constructedRecently constructedexamples:examples: PortlandPortland TampaTampaLight rail Circulator SystemsLight rail Circulator SystemsRecently constructedRecently constructedexamples:examples: PortlandPortland TampaTampa KenoshaKenoshaVehicle Size and Curving ConsiderationsVehicle Size and Curving ConsiderationsDe facto US LRT Standards:De facto US LRT Standards: Minimum Curve Radius:Minimum Curve Radius:82 feet / 25 m82 feet / 25 m Vehicle Width:Vehicle Width:2650 mm / feet2650 mm / feet Track Gauge.

4 Track Gauge:5656 inches / 1435 mminches / 1435 mmTypical European Tramway Characteristics:Typical European Tramway Characteristics: Minimum Curve Radius:Minimum Curve Radius:15 to 18 m (49 to 59 ft)15 to 18 m (49 to 59 ft) Vehicle Width:Vehicle Width:2200 mm to 2650 mm2200 mm to 2650 mm( to feet)( to feet) Track Gauge:Track Gauge:1000 to 1435 mm1000 to 1435 mmTrackway ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #4:GUIDELINE #4:In optimizing the Trackway /vehiclerelationship ensure that the chosen vehiclecurving capabilities do not excessivelyconstrain site selection for the maintenancefacilities and storage yards.

5 Evaluate thetrade-offs of a reduced number of vehiclesuppliers and possibly higher vehicle pricesversus greater costs for the fixed facilitiesif the site location is constrained by thevehicle Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #5:GUIDELINE #5:Ensure that those parties responsible forwheels and rails are working in concert toproduce optimum compatibility between thetwo subsystems. Wheel gauge, track gauge,check gauge, and all new and worndimensions should all be mutually agreed toand initial drawings documenting allparameters should be developed before anyserious design work takes Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #6:GUIDELINE #6:When choosing a track designer, it is ofgreat importance that the one chosen hasdemonstrable knowledge of streetcar trackand successful design experience.

6 Manytrack designers have primarily a railroadbackground, which by itself is notqualification for design of Light RailCirculator System track with small radiuscurves and possibly complex and compactshop and yard Design ConsiderationsRails and WheelsRails and WheelsThey are a system not every wheelcontour will perform satisfactorily on everyrail AAR freight wheel contour (or anywheel which resembles it) is likely not thebest choice for any LRT operation with tightcurvature in embedded track Design ConsiderationsWheel Tread and Flange ContoursWheel Tread and Flange ContoursTypical European TramWheelAAR 1B Narrow FlangeWheelTrack Design ConsiderationsRails and WheelsRails and WheelsThe wheel / rail interface surfaces shouldbe close to identical regardless of whetherthe track is embedded in the street or openballasted the above with a mixture ofdomestic tee rail and overseas girder rails isdifficult at Design ConsiderationsAmerican Transit Engineering Assn.

7 Girder RailsAmerican Transit Engineering Assn. Girder RailsNot rolled since the 1950 sTrack Design ConsiderationsAmerican Transit Engineering Assn. Girder RailsAmerican Transit Engineering Assn. Girder RailsTrilby rail Trilby HatTrilby rail Trilby HatTrack Design ConsiderationsAmerican Transit Engineering Assn. Girder RailsAmerican Transit Engineering Assn. Girder RailsNot rolled since the 1950 sTrack Design ConsiderationsAmerican Railway Engineering Assn Girder RailsAmerican Railway Engineering Assn Girder RailsNot rolled since the 1980 sTrack Design ConsiderationsC E N (European Committee for Standardization) Groove RailsC E N (European Committee for Standardization) Groove Rails59Ri2 (Ri59-13)51Ri1 (Ri51)Track Design ConsiderationsCEN (European Committee for Standardization) Groove RailsCEN (European Committee for Standardization) Groove Rails55G1 (35GP)62R1 (NP4a)Track Design ConsiderationsCEN (European Committee for Standardization)

8 Groove RailsCEN (European Committee for Standardization) Groove Rails56C1 (1c)67R1 (Ph37)Track Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #7:GUIDELINE #7:Part 1 Part 1If grooved / girder rail is used, then awheel flange profile optimized for the girderrail should be the gauge and guard side flange anglesfrom vertical and the tip radii on both therunning rail and guard side of the flangeshould be analyzed for use on curve radiibelow 15 meters (49 feet) and adjusted forperfect compatibility if found Design ConsiderationsTrack Design ConsiderationsTrack Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #7:GUIDELINE #7:Part 2 Part 2 Alternatively, consider adopting wheel flangeprofile and matching rail section standardsalready in successful use on a Europeanproperty which has similar curve radii tothose to be used on the Circulator flange should include the typical flat tipthat works best with flange-bearing frogs,crossings, and Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #8:GUIDELINE #8:Bolted joints should be eliminated inembedded track as much as unavoidable bolted joints shouldbe sandblasted and epoxy no circumstances use spring washersin embedded rail jointsTrack Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9.

9 Part 1 Part 1To avoid potentialproblems due to gaugeinaccuracies, allspecialwork containingturnouts and small radiuscurves should bedesigned, fabricated andconstructed with apositive means ofmaintaining the Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9:Part 1 Part 1 Track Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9:Part 1 Part 1 Track Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9:Part 2 Part 2 Full shop assembly including the gaugingdevices should be performed. All gaugingshould be carefully checked during shopassembly so as to detect any gauge devicedimensional Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9:Part 2 Part Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9:Part 2 Part 2 Consider fabricating wheel-pair templateswhich will accurately simulate both new andworn wheel conditions.

10 Supply of these canbe made a part of the track , a Circulator vehicle truck canbe pushed around through the track layoutto determine if appropriate rail /wheelinteraction is occurring, but it should berecognized that the worn wheel condition willnot be present without Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9:Part 3 Part 3 The templates or a vehicle truck can beused to check gauging of running and guardrail of the verification method used,checks must be done before placement ofembedding paving makes corrective actionsextremely difficult and Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #9:GUIDELINE #9:Part 3 Part 3 Pavement Design ConsiderationsGUIDELINE #11 GUIDELINE #11 Careful attention must be given topedestrian crosswalks.