Ollie Mikosza’s Post

Tramways have long been a staple of urban transportation, usually drawing power from overhead lines. However, there is another innovative approach, the Ground-Level Power Supply (GLPS). This system allows trams to collect electric power at ground level from individually-powered segments, offering several advantages over the conventional overhead lines. Unlike the third rail systems used in some railways, which are continually powered and pose a risk to pedestrians and vehicles, GLPS segments can be controlled by radio. These segments automatically switch on or off depending on whether a tram is passing over them. This radio-controlled activation ensures there is no risk to other road users, as the segments are only electrified when necessary. As cities continue to evolve and prioritize sustainability and safety, ground-level power supply represents a significant advancement in tramway technology, offering a cleaner, safer, and more efficient means of urban transportation. Video credit: Rory Ding Travels

Park-and-Ride (P&R) lots are an intelligent way to reduce traffic jams, but some aren't living up to their full potential. 🚝 This research dives into a technique called data envelopment analysis to see how efficiently these park and ride spots are operating around rail stations. By looking at different factors like parking fees, travel times, and lot sizes, researchers aim to find ways to get more people to use these convenient parking lots to hop on the train instead of driving all the way. It's about making urban transportation smoother and more sustainable. Key Takeaways: #1 - The study employed DEA, a non-parametric approach, to evaluate the relative efficiency of P&R facilities, considering multiple inputs and outputs. #2 - Input indicators included P&R fees, P&R advantage ratio, walking distance, rail departure frequency, and parking spaces, while output indicators were the number of P&R trips and parking turnover rate. #3 - The analysis revealed varying operational efficiencies and capacities among P&R facilities at different urban rail transit stations, highlighting the need for personalized strategies. #4 - Factors such as parking management, pricing strategies, and potential demand for P&R facilities are crucial for improving operational efficiency and utilization. #5 - The findings offer valuable insights for transportation practitioners and policymakers to optimize P&R operations, promote sustainable transportation, and address urban traffic management challenges. Reference: Zhu, Z., Xu, Y., He, Y., Hui, H., Han, B., & Li, Q. (2024). Evaluating operational efficiency and capacity of park-and-ride facilities around urban rail transit stations using data envelopment analysis. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part A: Systems, 150(8). #UrbanTransportation #ParkAndRide #DataEnvelopmentAnalysis #OperationalEfficiency #SustainableMobility

How do you get to the train station? If you #bike or use a scooter/e-scooter, you're one of the growing number of people using #micromobility to access #transit networks! Micromobility can connect people with transit stations, thus expanding the transit network. Researchers Beth Ferguson and Angela Sanguinetti from Institute of Transportation Studies at the University of California, Davis studied Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) stations and interviewed community stakeholders to assess micromobility use and barriers to their use. Learn more about their findings here: https://lnkd.in/ghEzskZV

Interesting summary on the “car cities” we have been building for all these years, thoughts?

There is a niche for all kinds of transportation that operates grade separated.

Urban cable car for fast transportation and smarter city? What do you think? Urban cable cars are an innovative solution for fast transportation in cities, ideal for overcoming obstacles and reducing road congestion with a low environmental impact. They use electric traction systems, are operated in an automated manner, and have lower construction and maintenance costs than other infrastructure such as subways. In cities such as Medellín and London, cable cars have become an important addition to the public transport system, improving accessibility and offering a sustainable alternative to traditional urban mobility. Is this a good idea to make cities smarter? What do you think? #engineering #smartcities #SCEWC24 #urbanism For more: Follow #ImpressiveEngineering Click on the 🔔 and select "All"

Research on public attitudes towards Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and railway system improvements sheds light on critical aspects impacting ridership and policy decisions. Understanding public perception is key for successful transportation innovation adoption, especially in urban areas. Efficient public transport systems like BRT and railways play a pivotal role in reducing congestion and environmental impact. This study delves into factors influencing public acceptance, offering valuable insights and strategies to enhance the adoption of these systems. #BRT #Railway #Transportation #PublicPerception #Innovation #Urbanization

A unique case, that confirms known findings that the redesigns of road space that often come with BRT can have a positive impact on road safety. Extrapolating further: if there is a political and 'administrative' will, roads can be designed to be safer for all road users (even without BRT). A final thought: this (= improved safety) should/could be taken into account in benefit/cost and business casing for BRT (or LRT) projects. "[BRT] launch came after more than a year during which the new bus lanes sat empty due to operational problems. [...] the delay presented an opportunity for researchers at the nearby University of New Mexico." "[...], they studied the impact of BRT infrastructure on vehicle speeds and found significant decreases along the corridor, even without buses running." https://lnkd.in/ewPfUgx2

https://lnkd.in/dtSKUfhi "pure zero-emission buses (ZEBs)" "service to the city of Seattle, WA and 34 other cities." "These buses will be based on an electric-born platform designed specifically for the North American market"

As a Transportation Engineer, my daily commute via public transit gives me a unique perspective on the current state and potential of the city's transportation network. Vegas is a city that's constantly evolving, but like many urban areas, we face challenges in making our public transit system as effective as it could be. While it's not perfect, the system offers better connectivity than driving alone and holds promise for the future. Using public transit contributes to reducing our collective carbon footprint. Although improvements are needed, each ride helps decrease greenhouse gas emissions and conserves energy. It's a step toward cleaner air and a healthier environment, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. While this may not always be the most efficient option, it helps ease congestion and offers a viable alternative for those looking to avoid the stress of traffic and parking. Accessibility remains a crucial area for development, ensuring that everyone, regardless of income, has access to affordable transportation options. The future of public transit lies in embracing innovation. From the potential of electric and autonomous buses to the implementation of real-time tracking apps, smart solutions can enhance the user experience and make our transit system more resilient and adaptive. These advancements are essential for transforming our current network into a more efficient and sustainable system. Despite the challenges, I am optimistic about the future of public transit here. With continued investment and support, we can build a system that better serves our community and promotes sustainable urban mobility. #PublicTransit #Sustainability #UrbanMobility #FutureOfTransport #SmartTransit