TTC: Streetcar Network

[smallspy]

There must be a reason why the vast majority of tram systems still use overhead catenary. What problem are we solving with ground level system in Toronto. Seems like it would actually introduce more problems.

It will. The various flavours of ground-level power all have additional circuitry in them so that they are only activating the panels underneath the streetcar. That additional circuitry is all more stuff that can fail. And even better, is all placed below the top of the street, where it needs to be both insulated and protected against water intrusion.

Not only that, but they use induction to transmit power to the trains, which is way less efficient than conduction.

It is not a rational solution to use in a place like Toronto.

Dan

 

[nfitz]

We have a critical backlog of major infrastructure repairs that the TTC needs to address, and until those are addressed it makes absolutely no sense to be thinking about nice to haves (ie: removing streetcar overhead wires because they dont look good).

I disagree. If we can have threads about fantasy maps, then I see no reason that we can't discuss what changes we could see during the last half of the 21st century - for the next generation of streetcars.

I don't see that what wires look like would be a factor - it's more about cost effectiveness and simplification. If for example the wiring at a troublesome intersection or part of a yard could be eliminated. How much you'd want to run on battery. etc. There's nothing new in this tech ... there were subway cars in other cities at least as far back as the 1960s with limited batteries on board with the idea that if the power failed, they could at least crawl to the next station.