Thursday, November 15, 2007

Phoenix Metro Light Rail

Phoenix Metro Light Rail


Light rail operates along a set pathway on steel rails. The METRO system will operate at street level in a lane separated from traffic. This dedicated guideway, along with a traffic prioritization system, will allow METRO to travel faster than local buses even though it will travel at the same posted speeds as cars.


See the light rail vehicle move under it's own power at the Operations an Maintenance Center If movie does not play immediately, please allow time for download to complete. Download time varies depending upon connection speed. Click here to play or for MAC Click here to play animation

The system will be powered by electricity from overhead wires, and will generate about as much noise as a new-model passenger truck.

METRO light rail vehicles have a capacity of 200, and can be linked together in sets of three. Light rail trains will operate 18 to 20 hours per day, seven days a week. Trains will arrive at stations every 10 minutes during peak hours and every 20 minutes off-peak.

Initially, the system will carry 3,000-5,000 passengers per hour. The system will ultimately have the capacity to transport the same number of people as a six-lane freeway, up to 15,000 people per hour.

What Does Light Rail Look Like?

The METRO system’s track is embedded into the pavement and trains will travel primarily in the street median, with the stations placed in the median between the tracks.

Light rail vehicles are low-floor vehicles, so passengers will not have to step up or down to board. Each vehicle accomodates four wheelchairs and has four bicycle racks.

Power Substations

METRO’s power substations are small buildings containing electrical equipment that distribute electricity to the overhead wires that supply power to the vehicles. They are placed at one-mile intervals along the line and are located in parking lots, garages or landscaped areas to minimize the impact to the community.

Operations and Maintenance Center

The light rail Operations and Maintenance Center is located in Phoenix near the junction of Loop 202 and Highway 143.

The facility is where vehicles are cleaned, inspected and repaired. About 150 people will be employed at the site, including maintenance staff and light rail operators.



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