The Trolley Coach Development and State of the Art: Task I Report for the Electric Trolley Bus Feasibility Study

摘要

Trolley coaches achieved their greatest level of use in the early 1950's when over 6500 vehicles were employed on 54 systems in North America. However, from the early 1950's through the early 1970's, the trolley coach (TC) disappeared as fast as it had appeared in the previous twenty years. By 1975, only ten systems in North America still retained TC operations. In the U.S. these included Boston, Philadelphia, Dayton, Seattle, and San Francisco; in Canada, Toronto, Hamilton, Edmonton, and Vancouver; and in Mexico, Mexico City. These systems are discussed herein, as well as the reasons for the TC demise. This report presents a brief history of TC operation in North America and a description of currently operating TC systems. TC technology is described and illustrated, including vehicles, propulsion and control systems and overhead wire and fittings. Operational characteristics of the TC are also described, including its suitability for application in various situations and requirements for trolley coach system design. Environmental effects of TC operation are analyzed, as are user impacts. This report describes and contrasts trolley coaches and TC facilities now in use in North America and Europe.