Rail Transit Report, Southeast

              Rail
Iransit
SOUTHEAST
JULY 1982
JJ anish physicist Niels Bohr once remarked that "prediction
is very difficult, especially about the future."
Being prepared for the future requires prediction in order
to anticipate problems, resolve them before they
overwhelm you and, if possible, make them work for and
not against you.
Driver
Cab
Pantograph
Articulated
Mid-Section
Driver
Cab
QBQB
cm
DO
B
a
Q
ES
00
QQBQ
g=m Q
90 feet-
Double Doors
A typical light rail transit vehicle is approximately 90 feet in length,
12 feet in height and nine feet wide. A pantograph connects the
vehicle with the overhead wires which supply the vehicle's
electrical energy Driver cabs are placed at both ends of
the vehicle to avoid the need for turnaround areas.
Rail Transit Report is published by the Regional Transportation
District to present information regarding the planning, design
and implementation of a rail transit system in the Denver
metropolitan area.
The Regional Transportation District, based upon the most
current material available, has looked at the future of
public transit in the six-county District. Here is what has
been projected:
• The entire region is growing. By 1985, for example, in
downtown Denver, the demand for public transit will
outstrip RTD's capacity to meet it. In just three years, we
will need 1,275 buses to serve downtown patrons.
However, with current and anticipated finances, RTD will
be able to operate a maximum fleet of only 750 buses.
• While the region, and hence the number of autos used
in commuting, continues to grow, there are very few plans
for either new freeways or freeway additions. Traffic
congestion and pollution will get worse.
• Costs will rise. Again by 1985, only three years into the
future, it may cost RTD $155,000 per year just to keep one
bus on the road.
(continued on page 4)