Abstract
The appearance of a new rail car technology, combining the features of the latest in low-floor streetcar design with those of diesel freight railways, makes it possible to consider rail service for passenger flows much lower than generally have been found feasible until now. With the introduction of any new technology comes the question, What is its role? It is concluded that the provision of short-haul services—within inner and outer suburbs, and between such places and downtowns—is where the greatest potential lies. Additional applications are (a) similar services extending beyond the commutershed into the trading hinterland of a city, (b) those catering to cross-radial travel within a central city or region that is not oriented to downtown, and (c) those that may sometimes involve a nonurban region or tourism. This could be a significant development, as much of the U.S. and Canadian population lives in low-density suburbs or semirural counties, both of which can be expected to continue their dominance of the growth agenda. One of the advantages of this new family of diesel light rail technology arises from its ability to use existing pathways through cities and towns. This keeps costs low and avoids the dislocation and environmental problems associated with the taking of large swaths of land required by many solutions. One way to do this is by using existing railway tracks or rights of way. Another is to share right-of-way space with a road, either in a streetcar format or on a separate strip. The results have proven useful in an assessment of freight railway lines in Calgary and Edmonton with respect to their potential for diesel light rail services.
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