Streetcar FAQ
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We get a lot of questions from people about what a streetcar is, or even how construction for a streetcar line would impact their business. Hopefully this FAQ will answer some of your questions about streetcars, but if not, we want to hear from you! Email us at FAQ@omahastreetcar.com with your questions and we'll help find an answer. We might even add it to the FAQ!
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What is a streetcar?
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Streetcars are vehicles which run on rail, travel with traffic and are powered by electricity. Many are just single car systems where each car operates independently of other streetcars in the overall system. Occasionally you will find systems with two or more streetcars linked together to accomodate more passengers. Streetcars are a local transit solution for a downtown district or an urban neighborhood, like Dundee or Florence.
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What's the difference between vintage, modern and heritage streetcars?
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Vintage streetcars are cars which have been around since the earlier days of streetcars, yet restored to mint condition, often refurbished with modern amenities like air conditioning. Heritage streetcars are of new constrution but are modeled after the classic streetcars of the early 20th century. Modern streetcars boast sleek designs and are most often seen in Europe, but also implemented in Portland, OR. For an illustration of where these different styles have been used, visit the City by City comparison page.
Here are examples of each style, click the photo for a larger image.
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How do streetcars work?
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Streetcars feature a pole that touches an overhead wire, called
catenary. The overhead wire is fed by substations, which convert commercial power to 600 volts DC. Once the power reaches the streetcar
through the trolley pole, it is fed to motors, which are called traction motors that are located on each wheelset. Since the typical streetcar
has four axels, they have four traction motors. To take things a step further, a neat feature that some streetcars have is regenerative
braking. All streetcars feature friction brakes where a pad or brake shoe is applied to the tread of the wheel to stop. Streetcars that
feature regenerative braking have friction brakes, but also have the ability to reverse the polarity of the traction motors. This turns the traction motors into generators, which creates a load. That electrical load then acts as a retarding force, slowing the cars down. Since the traction motors are generating power, the electricity is then fed back into the overhead line to power other streetcars.
It takes one person to operate (not drive) a streetcar who are sometimes referred to as motormen or simply operators. Since the rails do the steering, the operator regulates speed, controls the doors, and ensures the safe operation of the streetcar. What happens when they reach the end of the line? Streetcars can be ballooned, where they go through a
loop or the operator can change ends. Many, if not all, streetcars are double ended so all an operator has to do is switch trolley poles and switch ends.
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Isn't the overhead wire ugly?
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The overhead wire, or catenary, isn't as eye catching as one might
imagine. Like street light poles, the catenary poles come in decorative
styles that add to streetscapes. The wires themselves are designed to
blend in with the streetscape and does not pose aesthetic problems, nor
will they make your street look like an industrial wasteland
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Why use technology from the 1800's? Why not go with something futuristic?
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You're right, streetcars have been in existence in some way, shape, or
form since the 1800s; however, streetcars have also evolved over that time as well. So with a modern streetcar system, you have something
that operates on the same principles as they did in the 1800s, but with modern technology. For instance, streetcars built today feature solid
state electronics, and heating and air conditioning. Most systems have provisions to help access for persons with disabilities. Streetcar
stations can and do have wireless internet for tracking streetcars. The result is a proven concept that can incorporate new technologies and
modern amenities. Concepts such as personal rapid transit (PRT), maglev, monorails, etc, are either pie-in-the-sky ideas, unproven, prohibitively expensive, or inadequate for required capacity.
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How is a streetcar line constructed?
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Unlike light rail, which require an entire reconstruction of the underground infrastructure to support the weight of the heavier light rail cars, streetcar rail is embedded into the street. Because of the lighter weight of streetcars, most modern streets can already support a streetcar. Construction of a streetcar line can be as basic as removing enough concrete in the road for the rails to seat, less disruption than repairing a simple underground water line. At last estimate, it takes one week to construct a city block worth of track.
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How long will streetcar construction disrupt my business?
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Streetcar lines are built two blocks at a time. It takes two weeks to construct those two blocks. During construction, generally only part of the road is closed. Streetcar track construction is relatively fast since most utilities generally do not need to be relocated. As a result, the impact to your business should be minimal. However, once the streetcar line is operating and more people are passing by, your business should benefit.
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Does Omaha Streetcar intend to operate a system? If so, what is your proposal?
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The short answer is no, we do not plan on building or operating a streetcar system. We are a grassroots organization made up of concerned citizens that believe streetcars will have a lasting positive impact upon the community. Omaha Streetcar's mission is to educate the public and advocate for an effective transit system which not only includes an effective streetcar system, but also includes an integrated bus system as well. We encourage proposals and hope to stimulate dialogue and new ideas. To answer the second part of your question, we do not have a proposal, but we have a vision. Omaha Streetcar envisions a comprehensive system that serves many areas of the community from North Omaha to South Omaha and Bellevue, and from West Omaha to Council Bluffs, so that people have an alternative means of moving about.
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Does Omaha Streetcar endorse a specific route?
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No, Omaha Streetcar does not advocate a specific route. A starter line, wherever it is located, is only the beginning and there will be expansions. Once the starter line is built, Omaha Streetcar isn't going away. We'll be here to push for future extensions and work towards making our vision of comprehensive rail transit a reality.
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I heard streetcars have to be subsidized...why can't they break even?
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You're right, streetcar operations have to be subsidized, but then again so are all other modes of transportation. Every time you step on a bus, hop on a plane, board a train and even everytime you get in your car, someone else is paying for you to do that. Many are surprised to hear that our planes and cars are subsidized, but it is a fact. Of course key to it all is how streetcars are subsidized. Depending on the community they operate in, streetcar operations are supported by endowments, parking fees, taxing districts, general funds, advertising and sponsorships to name several sources. There can be other sources and each community has their own solution based upon their situations. The payoff is in the massive economic investment in the area where the streetcar operates.
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