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<br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />III. TRANSIT TECHNOLOGY <br />SCREENING <br /> <br />OPTIONS <br /> <br />AND <br /> <br />This chapter first describes transit technology options and then assesses their feasibility and <br />appropriateness for the Northstar Corridor. The overview of technologies includes photographs <br />and locations where the technology currently operates. The second part of this chapter defines <br />conceptual transit options for the Corridor based on the recommended technologies. The options <br />are then qualitatively assessed using criteria such as system characteristics (e.g., vehicle size and <br />speed), infrastructure requirements and cost. The refined set of options that result from this <br />preliminary screening are carried forward for further evaluation in the Northstar Corridor Major <br />Investment Study. <br /> <br />Several technologies were identified for evaluation as potential transit options in the study corridor. <br />These included bus, bus rapid transit, light rail transit (LRT), heavy rail, commuter rail, monorail, <br />automated guideway transit (AGT), and personal rapid transit (PRT). Many of these transit <br />technologies have been extensively evaluated over the 30-year history of transit planning in the <br />Twin Cities. Each technology is described below and then evaluated according to a set of screening <br />criteria to determine its appropriateness and/or feasibility as a transit mode in the study corridor. <br />Figure 111-1 and Figure 111-2 present candidate technologies. <br /> <br />1. DESCRIPTION OF TECHNOLOGIES <br /> <br />Technologies are described focusing on characteristics including alignment, physical environment, <br />vehicles, and typical operation. Variations of a specific technology which also may represent a <br />feasible alternative for this study are described. <br /> <br />a. Bus <br /> <br />Buses are rubber-tired vehicles which operate on roadways in mixed traffic or in a special <br />guideway. Buses represent the most common and most flexible type of transit. Stops are <br />typically as frequent as every one to two blocks, or every one-eighth mile. Express or limited <br />service is characterized by fewer stops and higher average speeds. <br /> <br />The majority of buses in operation are diesel powered. However, vehicles powered by <br />alternative fuels, such as compressed natural gas (CNG) and liquified natural gas (LNG), are <br />available and have been put into service in some locations. These have proven to be a viable <br />alternative to diesel operation. Battery-powered buses also have been implemented, primarily <br />as short-haul, special use vehicles in activity centers because of their short operating range. <br /> <br />Northstar Corridor Major Investment Study <br />Conceptual Definition of Alternatives <br />February 1999 <br /> <br />III-I <br />