The possibility of launching such a vehicle as light rail in the Russian capital has been discussed for a long time. In 2005, the project for laying such a line was presented at a press conference by the chairman of the Muscovites for the Tram public movement A. Morozov, the UITP representative V. Tikhonov and the editor of Zheleznodorozhny Depot publishing house A. Myasnikov. Prospects for the development of this type of transport have long been considered by the authorities of the capital. At the moment (2015), a decision has been made to implement four projects of the light rail: to Biryulyovo, to the Lianozovo platform and to the Ivanovo and Severnoe districts. It is planned that in the coming years all these branches will already begin to function.
How did the idea come about
In Europe, light rail is used quite widely. There are such lines in our country: in Volgograd, Ust-Ilimsk, Kazan and Stary Oskol. Of course, they do not differ in particular scale, but the reviews of the townspeople deserved very good. In Ukraine, in Kiev, such trams were launched back in Soviet times - in 1978. So the new idea of using these light, fast and at the same time economical vehicles cannot be called. According to the authorities, by launching high - speed trams in Moscow , the load on other types of passenger transport can be significantly reduced. If there are such lines, it will be much easier for residents of the capital and its guests to get to the metro, to remote areas of the metropolis, or, possibly, even to satellite towns.
What is a light rail
What is this type of vehicle and how convenient can it be? According to SNiP, high-speed lines are those lines along which trams can travel more than 24 kilometers in an hour. The main features of such highways can also include:
- Isolation from traffic and pedestrian crossings (full or partial).
- Very long hauls and a limited number of stops. In the projects of Moscow lines between the latter, a distance of not less than 700 meters is provided. For comparison: the bus goes from stop to stop about 300-400 m.
- Use of tram trains with a length of at least 28 meters.
According to the projects, the high-speed tram in Moscow will fully comply with all these standards.
The advantages of light rail
The construction of this relatively new type of transport line in Russia is considered by the Moscow authorities as a very good alternative to the metro, buses and trolleybuses. According to the Administration, high-speed trams will make moving around the capital much more convenient. This type of ground transport combines the best qualities of both the metro and buses. Its main advantages are:
- High speed transportation. 24 km / h - this is only the lower threshold for the movement of such trains. In practice, trams of this variety can travel at speeds up to 80 km / h. With a decrease in the number of stops, travel time is further reduced.
- The construction of a high-speed tram route costs 10 times cheaper than laying a subway line of the same length.
- This type of transport is considered more convenient than the metro. After all, passengers do not have to go down to the ground. Its throughput is not much different from the same metro.
- The high-speed tram, whose speed in practice is actually quite high, also does not experience any difficulties when driving in ice and snow (unlike the same buses and trolleybuses).
- Since the transport of this type does not depend on traffic jams, it never deviates from the developed traffic schedule.
- An important advantage is the fact that this type of vehicle is ecologically absolutely safe.
Disadvantages of light rail
There are practically no disadvantages to this type of transport. Some of the disadvantages include the need to build a separate canvas, which significantly increases the width of city highways. The additional burden on urban electricity networks can also indirectly be attributed to the minuses of such vehicles as light rail. However, since such compounds do not consume too much energy, this drawback is not considered particularly serious.
Line to Biryulyovo
According to the project, this new highway in Moscow will be designed to carry about 150 thousand passengers per day. The trams of this line will run from the Prazhskaya metro station to the western and eastern parts of Biryulyovo. According to preliminary data, the travel time of the residents of this region to the "underground" will be reduced by about 30%. If now the Biryulevites have to get to the “Prague” 70-85 minutes, then with the launch of a light rail they will spend no more than an hour on the road.
The total length of this line will be 8.2 km. Part of it (2.1 km) will pass along the overpass. It is assumed that trams will run at intervals of 4-6 minutes. Their average speed will be 25-28 km / h. The travel time from the final stop in Biryulyovo to the Prazhskaya station will not exceed 10-12 minutes. The project provides for the arrangement of only ten stops (at a distance of 800 m). One of them will operate on the flyover.
It was originally intended to loop one of the lines in West Biryulyovo. However, local residents objected and the project was revised.
Line to Ivanovo
This is another project approved by the Moscow authorities. This light rail line will link the Ivanovskoye district and the Enthusiast Highway metro station. According to the project, its length will be about 6.5 kilometers. The tram will stop along the route six times.
The construction of this line will improve transport services for 80 thousand residents of not only the Ivanovo region, but also Perovo. The line will be designed for approximately 105 thousand passengers daily. After the start of the line, residents of the districts will get 30-40 minutes less to the metro.
Line to the North
This route is also planned to be taken in the near future. The length of the Northern line - the Lianozovo platform will be about 5.4 km. There will be five stops along the route. The average speed of the tram, as in previous cases, will be 25-28 km / h. On the way, residents of the district from the initial station to the final will spend about 11 minutes. The track will be able to take a load of 50 thousand people a day.
Line to Medvedkovo
From the station platform "Lianozovo" will be laid another line to the metro "Altufevo." Further, the path will stretch to Medvedkovo. Below is a diagram of a light rail from Severny to Altufevo and further to Medvedkovo. Thus, the fourth draft of the route is a continuation of the third. That is, after both of them are implemented, it will be possible to drive from the Medvedkovo station right up to the Severny district.
Light rail and housing prices
Residents of those areas where such routes will be laid are likely to receive another advantage. According to experts, in these parts of the city the cost of square meters will increase. Of course, the price increase will not be as noticeable as during the construction, for example, of subway lines. However, high-speed trains can increase the cost of housing in Biryulyovo, Severny and Ivanovsky quite significantly.
Actually, the routes of trams of all lines themselves were developed taking into account the wishes of residents of those areas where they are planned to be laid. So in any case, this type of transport will be as convenient, reliable and also very inexpensive.