 Why
PCC's for Brooklyn in the 21st Century?
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The PCC
Solution for Brooklyn!
The PCC is essentially a hybrid type of electric,
pollution free urban transportation vehicle- it combines
all of the advantages of a conventional light rail vehicle
with all the nostalgic charm of a historic trolley. The
PCC's historically accurate nature only serves to enhance
the qualities of the historic and scenic areas it would
service. However, the PCC has none of the drawbacks of a
conventional light rail vehicle: |
- The PCC can operate in mixed traffic with other
vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles. The PCC does not require
dedicated traffic lanes, and can actually keep up with
traffic. The use of
Passenger Boarding Islands eliminates traffic delays due
to alighting passengers.
- Due to its light weight, the PCC uses a simplified form
of track construction, which costs only a fraction of
conventional light rail track.
- The PCC uses a simplified form of overhead wire
construction, the cost of which is only a fraction of
conventional light rail catenary wires. Since the PCC's
trolley wires are simplified, the visual impacts of the
PCC's wires are greatly mitigated over light rail wires.
- Because the PCC uses a simplified form of track
construction not requiring deep excavations, the need for
utility relocation is negligible to non-existent.
- Because the PCC can operate in existing city streets,
its rails are flush with the roadway and its turning radii
fits into existing street geometries, the PCC will not
divide neighborhoods by presenting physical or psychological
barriers, as do both conventional light rail and divided
highways.
- Because of the PCC's low weight and unique electrical
propulsion package, the PCC only uses a fraction of the
electrical power requirement of a conventional light rail
vehicle. In fact, the PCC spends most of its time coasting
and applying brakes. PCC's do not require the same large
scale and costly power substations as do conventional light
rail vehicles.
- Several American cities such as San Francisco and
Philadelphia have re-discovered the PCC, and
have actually reinstated regular revenue service using these
sturdy vehicles.
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