jis
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If any plan includes transit-oriented development around the stations, it could eventually change the character of the Tampa metro area, which is probably what needs to happen.I fear that Tampa has been so poorly planned for the last 50 years, that there isn't enough density in specific locations to support commuter rail. Everyone just seems to be randomly spread out in this 30 mile area of six-lane stroads.
They got it to work in LA and Dallas, so it's possible anywhere!If any plan includes transit-oriented development around the stations, it could eventually change the character of the Tampa metro area, which is probably what needs to happen.
True maybe.I fear that Tampa has been so poorly planned for the last 50 years, that there isn't enough density in specific locations to support commuter rail. Everyone just seems to be randomly spread out in this 30 mile area of six-lane stroads.
Sure true here in Austin!The biggest issue that I see is that most commuter lines are built on top of existing freight infrastructure which is generally NOT where people [who want to and can support commuter rail] live.
The biggest issue that I see is that most commuter lines are built on top of existing freight infrastructure which is generally NOT where people [who want to and can support commuter rail] live.
But that's why the new build lines meander - because they are more densely developed, the places where the service is most needed are also the places that have the innumerable constraints that have to be worked around, leading to non-competitive services.The problem with all new build is that lines tend to meander because there are typically innumerable constraints that need to be worked around. This leads to lots of speed restrictions, makes the line slow, and thus not very competitive.
Placing them on abandoned freight ROW on the other hand means nice straight alignments and consistently high speeds, but often at the cost of not actually going to the places where they are most needed.
IMHO the best solution is thus a compromise. Use old freight ROW as the backbone and then build branches or deviations to go to the places where the service is most needed.
The problem with Dallas is that they underestimated it's potential and built without regard to accommodate growth. They just can't handle any longer trains at all. Ever. And they are already at minimum headways during busy times where most of the lines converge downtown.They got it to work in LA and Dallas, so it's possible anywhere!
Tampa does have a trolley service although limited that could be expanded to provide around the city transportation. There are also a few bus routes in that cityI dunno, to me commuter rails are useless without some kind of rail service to get around the city.
I dunno, to me commuter rails are useless without some kind of rail service to get around the city.
But that's why the new build lines meander - because they are more densely developed, the places where the service is most needed are also the places that have the innumerable constraints that have to be worked around, leading to non-competitive services.
Agreed!Its a good opportunity for Transit oriented development. May help draw fresh and driven population growth.
Agreed!
But if we are talking the Tampa Bay area, it is hard for me to see that happening. There really aren't any empty areas. It is all sprawl from the I-75 corridor to the Gulf Coast. Not enough density for commuter rail to make sense, but enough to make a commuter rail system on new lines with TOD nodes pretty much impossible, financially and politically.
The problem with Dallas is that they underestimated it's potential and built without regard to accommodate growth. They just can't handle any longer trains at all. Ever. And they are already at minimum headways during busy times where most of the lines converge downtown.
Agreed!
But if we are talking the Tampa Bay area, it is hard for me to see that happening. There really aren't any empty areas. It is all sprawl from the I-75 corridor to the Gulf Coast. Not enough density for commuter rail to make sense, but enough to make a commuter rail system on new lines with TOD nodes pretty much impossible, financially and politically.
Not so fast. I think it's possible to make it work in Tampa Bay Area. Now this is something I've been working on. This is a mix of commuter rail and BRT with one light rail line from Wesley Chapel to the USF area. I wanted to expand Tampa Union Station so the road to the north was removed. I'm not finished with it yet as the local system hasn't released the updated for the TDP for 2021. Also the Florida Supreme Court struck down the penny sales tax increase from 2018. One of the county commissioners was upset as they have no control over how the funds were distributed as it was required that funds were allocated to exact areas. The county as well as the three cities would split the about 59 percent of the revenue, the local transit agency would get 40% and the remaining 1% would go to the regional transportation planning commission.
Here is map of what I made below.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1FtQbqhj8bB1S6pDlEtxqTd9-9gsmb27k&usp=sharing
It doesn't expand to the Downtown St Pete Area. However if the Rays do decide to leave Tropicana field would be an excellent place for TOD.
I don't think a 4th articulated set would fit at the downtown stations without blocking intersections, not to mention the elevated stations that are pretty much set in stone, or concrete at least.AFAIK they are planning (or maybe already building?) a second cross-downtown line which will definitely take some of the pressure off the first.
I don't really see why they can't run longer trains. They would have to extend some platforms but nothing that can't be fixed without the right sort of vision and will.
IMHO one of the problems in Dallas is not capacity of the lines but capacity of the junctions. Maybe these could do with some tweaking so trains can move faster and so de-block the line.
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