Charlotte agrees with DC on streetcar technology

Charlotte, NC has been conducting a thorough analysis of streetcar power technologies for their planned streetcar system. Their final report is out, and essentially agrees with the conclusions from the recent APTA technology seminar: overhead wires are best for now, but alternate technologies show promise for the future.

The report thoroughly identifies and evaluates each of the alternative power technologies on the market or under development. After discussing each, they conclude:

The market for railcar technology and technology development is in continuous change and improvement. … Advancements in power distribution technologies are being made by virtually all major railcar builders, with some having developed technologies to the point of having systems in revenue operation, while others are only in early stages of development.

Generally the technology that is the furthest along in development, by the most manufacturers is the battery / capacitor. … Embedded “third rail” system appear to be significantly far along in development however they are more capital intensive, have higher operation and maintenance costs and require more substantial safety certification. Additional concerns exist regarding the proprietary nature of the technology and the potential to become dependent on a single supplier.

Overall, the implementation of a technology to replace an overhead contact system in whole or in part will represent an increase in the cost of construction and operation of a streetcar system, albeit some technologies have promise to be nearly cost neutral; and may someday even prove more cost effective. …

[I]t is recommended that the City further investigate the use of battery and/or capacitor type propulsion for any new streetcar vehicle procurements. … [Th]e City should continue with the conventional OCS design, while monitoring the progress of the development of battery and capacitor systems for application in future phases. It is noted that the battery / capacitor systems can subsequently be utilized for limited distance application to address low clearance

obstructions, areas of high visual significance and capturing regenerative energy resulting in operation savings.

With the battery and capacitor type of system, portions of the line could utilize OCS while others do not. Initial segments of the system may be better candidates to use conventional OCS technology, while subsequent extensions may be better suited to implement wireless zones.