GOING OFF WIRE: AN INTRODUCTION TO OFF WIRE APPLICATIONS DUE TO EMERGING TECHNOLOGY FOR TRANSIT SYSTEMS

摘要

Implementation of emerging energy storage technology has begun for a variety of applications throughout America. The information for the technology is readily available and with the reemergence of electrified streetcar, light rail, and bus systems there is conspicuous pressure to remove the catenary. Therefore, how does one go about investigating the implications of this emerging technology for an electrified transit system? This paper will introduce items to be aware of and discuss tactics available when investigating off wire operation so that one can respond to the pressure and make informed decisions about going off wire. Opening up route alignment options, reducing safety hazards, and reducing the impact on adjacent entities with their associated politics are some of the tactics Detroit's QLine and several other streetcar projects are using this emerging technology for. However, while these tactics may reduce capital costs, they may also increase life cycle costs. Thoroughly analyzing these items during the planning and design process is critical to determining which if any of the tradeoffs of this emerging technology are worth capitalizing on.