1997-1998 SURVEY OF POTENTIAL NORTH AMERICAN APPLICATIONS FOR EMERGING DIESEL MULTIPLE UNIT TECHNOLOGIES

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1999

Subject Area

planning - surveys, place - north america, mode - rail, mode - mass transit

Keywords

United States, Transit operating agencies, Transit lines, Technological innovations, Surveys, State departments of transportation, Railroad commuter service, Public transit lines, Mass transit lines, Diesel railroad cars, Diesel multiple unit cars, Commuter rail, Canada, Advanced technology

Abstract

The results of a survey done in the United States and Canada in 1997 and 1998 are presented. The survey was done to determine the level of interest among current and potential commuter rail operations in applying emerging technologies for self-propelled, diesel multiple unit (DMU) rail passenger cars. Interest in DMU rail passenger cars is waxing across the continent as commuter rail grows in popularity as a transit mode and operators search for possible alternatives to push-pull diesel equipment. The survey team contacted representatives of 58 operators, regional transit agencies, planning agencies, state departments of transportation, and other agencies. Twenty-eight of the respondents currently operate or oversee commuter or regional rail service and 30 do not. The principal survey was conducted in 1997 with follow-on surveys of selected jurisdictions in 1998. Of the 58 potential operators, 19 do not foresee DMU use, 8 currently operate DMUs, 2 are actively implementing DMU plans, and the remaining 29 are considering DMUs for future applications in their jurisdictions. At least 14 potential operators have hosted DMU demonstrations. Two sections are presented: (a) a summary of findings and observations with a summary table of survey results, and (b) details on each jurisdiction surveyed covering current operations, plans, and orientation toward DMU applications.

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