Why PCC’s for Brooklyn in the 21st Century?

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.