Semi-metro

Not to be confused with Light metro.
Muni Metro Forest Hill station
Sound Transit Airport station

Semi-metro is a form of urban rail transport in which trams run partly on a conflict-free track,[1][2] by using tunnels and viaducts.[3][4] These stretches of track are designed to function like a regular metro or rapid transit line.[5][6] Semi-metro lines run with tram cars because they are usually developed from an existing tram network.[7][8] Semi-metro is a concept also known as a subway–surface[9][10][11][12][13] line/system, tram subway[14] line/system, trolley subway[15] system or a hybrid[16] streetcar / light rail line)

One key difference from metro lines (rapid transit) is that semi-metro lines only partially run in tunnels and on viaducts.[17] A metro line has an entirely conflict-free track, often completely grade separated. Semi-metro routes are operated by regular trams (with or without low floor) or with specially developed tramcars (light rail vehicles), such as the Stadtbahn-car 'type B'.[18]: 55  In the United States most semi-metro systems are operated with larger vehicles than those on streetcar systems.[19]

  1. ^ International Study Week in Traffic Engineering: Reports pt.2 (in French). O.T.A. / Northwestern University. 1972. p. 44. Retrieved 3 September 2024.
  2. ^ Zaborowski, dr Łukasz (2018). Tramwaj dla polskich miast (in Polish). Instytut Sobieskiego. p. 32, 33. Retrieved 3 September 2024. Do lekkiej kolei zaliczymy także systemy pośrednie między metrem a tramwajem. Bezkolizyjność trasy oraz kolejowy system sterowania w połączeniu z taborem tramwajowym to semi-metro. System taki może działać jako semi-metro w obszarze śródmiejskim, a w dzielnicach zewnętrznych jako szybki tramwaj. — Light rail also includes intermediate systems between the metro and the tram. The collision-free route and the railway control system combined with the tram rolling stock are called semi-metro. Such a system can operate as a semi-metro in the city center, and in the outer districts as a rapid tram.
  3. ^ Weigelt, Horst; Weiss, Helmut H.; Götz, Rainer E. (1977). City Traffic: A Systems Digest. Van Nostrand Reinhold. p. 44. ISBN 978-0-442-29259-1.
  4. ^ Haring, Leonardus H. 13th National Light Rail and Streetcar Conference: Transforming Urban Areas. p. 401. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  5. ^ Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (1973). The Automobile and the Environment. Retrieved 9 February 2023. descending into tunnels in the style of conventional underground mass transit
  6. ^ Norley, Kym (2010). Light rail: The semi-metro concept. p. 4. Semi-metro: Light rail on reserved right of way over congested parts of line typically in tunnel or viaduct for grade separation designed to Metro standards, with priority surface light rail in other sections
  7. ^ Implementation of Transportation Controls: Hearing, Ninety-third congress. Washington, D.C. 1974. p. 492. Retrieved 17 January 2023. In essence, a semi-metro consists of light rail cars operating on exclusive tracks, generally on the surface but descending into tunnels in the style of conventional underground mass transit in city centres{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  8. ^ U.S., Transportation Research Board. "Transportation Research Board Special Report 179". National Academy of Sciences. Retrieved 17 January 2023.
  9. ^ Transportation Research Board (2003). 9th National Light Rail Transit Conference. p. 29. Retrieved 16 February 2023. By this time, there was considerable interest in reconfiguring the U.S. subway-surface streetcar systems to resemble northern European practice, and there was increasing recognition that modern tramways might be appropriate for urban regions that long since had given up streetcar operation.
  10. ^ Pedestrian Observations (August 2019). "What is Light Rail, Anyway?". Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  11. ^ Canadian Embassy. (1982). Canada Today: Canada D'aujourd'hui, Volumes 13-15. Retrieved 16 February 2023. light rail subway/surface line
  12. ^ "THE RAPID TRAMWAY: A FEASIBLE SOLUTION TO THE URBAN TRANSPORTATION PROBLEM". Traffic Quarterly. 24 (4): 517. 1970. ISSN 0041-0713. Retrieved 7 April 2024.
  13. ^ John W., Schumann. "What's New in North American Light Rail Transit Projects?". TRB Special Report. 221 (Light Rail Transit: New System Successes at Affordable Prices): 31. Retrieved 24 July 2024.
  14. ^ "The tram subways of Philadelphia - A history and a forward look". Modern Tramway and Light Railway Review. 26 (306). Ian Allan; Light Railway Transport League: 205. June 1963.
  15. ^ Middleton, William D. (2003). Metropolitan Railways: Rapid Transit in America. Indiana University Press. pp. 145–147. ISBN 978-0-253-34179-2.
  16. ^ NACTO. "Streetcar and Light Rail Characteristics". National Association of City Transportation Officials. Retrieved 16 February 2023.[1]
  17. ^ Orski, C.K. (1973). "New Transportation Service Concepts". Proceedings of the International Conference on Transportation Research: 407. Retrieved 9 February 2023.
  18. ^ De Leuw, Cather & Company (1976). Light Rail Transit: A State of the Art Review. Retrieved 8 February 2023.
  19. ^ Sharing of Rail Transit Infrastructure by Streetcars and Larger Light Rail Vehicles: Design and Operational Issues. Washington, DC: American Public Transportation Association. 2006. Retrieved 20 November 2024.