APPENDIX C
SUSTRACO
ULTRA LIGHT
RAIL (ULR)
Ten reasons why introducing ULR, using the new
ULR Vehicles, will make it possible to transform public transport
by replacing the old-fashioned, fossil-fuel-powered road buses
in town centres and suburbs all over the UK and overseas, as it
is:
HEALTHY
24,000 people die prematurely from traffic fumes
in the UK each year—nearly seven times as many as die in
road accidents. ULR vehicles are low or zero-emission vehicles.
ENERGY-EFFICIENT
Any vehicle with steel wheels running on steel
rails uses only about 30% of the energy that a similar vehicle
with rubber tyres running on a tarmac road would use. ULR vehicles,
assisted by energy storage and regenerative braking, are three
to four times more energy-efficient than an ordinary road bus.
SAFE
A vehicle running along tracks has a predictable
path and is easy to avoid.
LOW-COST
ULR vehicle capital costs are comparable to
a road bus but the vehicles last longer. New infrastructure costs
less than a tarmac road, guided busway or conventional tramway.
ECONOMICAL
Operating an ULR system costs no more than a
road bus per passenger-mile, because of low energy consumption
and low maintenance vehicles and track.
FLEXIBLE
ULR systems can be installed on or beside existing
roads on new or existing rail of any gauge. It is relatively simple
and inexpensive to lift and re-lay the rails, should access to
services or a change of public transport route be required.
ATTRACTIVE
With no overhead wires or pantograph, ULR is
unobtrusive and can be designed stylishly to enhance the appearance
of towns both old and new.
PASSENGER-FRIENDLY
Public preference for riding on rail vehicles,
rather than on buses, has been proven all over the world. The
ULR vehicles provide easy access for the disabled and can tempt
people out of their cars.
PEDESTRIAN-FRIENDLY
ULR is the only public transport system compatible
with operating in pedestrianised areas as it is not perceived
as threatening pedestrian safety.
VERSATILE
Without any overhead wires or electrified rails
and with no emissions the ULR can operate equally well in the
open or inside covered areas, airports, exhibition halls or shopping
centres. The same ULR system and infrastructure can be used for
transport of freight and municipal waste outside normal passenger
operating hours.
February 2005
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