Momentum for Better Trains
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Speaker: Nolan Hicks, NYU – Marron Institute for Urban Management
The new “Momentum” report from NYU’s Marron Institute and the Transit Costs Project looks at options for quicker trips and making passenger rail service competitive with driving and flying, by using existing rail lines. “Momentum” seeks to speed service not by focusing on top speeds, but by focusing on increasing average speeds across a route. It does this by introducing a high-throughput infrastructure framework, to reduce delays and dead time. For example:
- universal high-level platforms and passenger cars with designs optimized to take advantage of level boarding dramatically cut the amount of time it takes to board and disembark trains, as well as providing major accessibility improvements;
- electrification paired with multiple-unit trains (EMUs) dramatically speeds acceleration. “Momentum” aims to provide a solid middle ground between the short and medium range intercity diesel services today that struggle to compete on speed and the vast undertaking and risks required to develop and deliver high-speed services.
If this sounds familiar, it should. Essentially, “Momentum” proposes applying the framework that undergirds (or was supposed to undergird) much of the Northeast Corridor for other areas. Its test cases are in the New York area, but “Momentum” has developed models that show tremendous benefits for service in the Midwest too.
Learn more in this conversation about the “Momentum” approach with the report’s author, Nolan Hicks!
