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AREMA 2009 Annual Conference & Exposition

Island Transit – History Design and Island Transit – History, Design and Impact of Hurricane Ike

By

Gary A. Gordon, P.E.Assistant Federal Security Director-Surface South Central RegionAssistant Federal Security Director Surface, South Central Region

andMichael Worthy

Director of Transportation, Island Transit

2009 AREMA A l C f2009 AREMA Annual ConferenceSeptember 22, 2009

Chicago, IL | September 20-23, 2009

© AREMA 2009 ®


Introd ctionIntroduction

History of Island Transit TrolleyE l S t P 1900 H iEarly Systems Pre-1900 HurricaneSystems Post-1900 Hurricane and Current System

Design Considerations of Current Trolley SystemUnderlying and General ConsiderationsCCar BodyTruck AssemblyCar InteriorInfrastructure

Characteristics of Trolley SystemRoutes and operationsRolling stock

Hurricane IkeGeneral background and detailsImpactsIsland Transit Recovery Plan


© AREMA 2009 ®


History of Island Transit Trolley -Pre-1900 Galveston Hurricane

• 1866 – Galveston City Railroad (GCRR) established• 1868 – GCRR begins operations with mule cars• 1874 – People’s Railroad (PRR) begins operations1874 People s Railroad (PRR) begins operations• 1879-1880 – GCRR acquires PRR• 1883 – Gulf City Street Railway (GCSR) established • 1887 – GCSR merged with C+GCRR

1890 I M GCRR t t l t if t• 1890 – In May GCRR votes to electrify systemOperating 23 track miles

• 1891 – First electrified streetcar operationTrack rebuilt (40# rail), 3,000 ties/mile & OH electrification

1892 GCRR d t 40 il t• 1892 – GCRR expands to 40-mile system• 1900 – Galveston Hurricane

Severely damages electrification system


© AREMA 2009 ®


History of Island Transit Trolley -Post-1900 Galveston Hurricane and Current System

• 1900-1907 – Reconstruction of streetcar lines• 1905 – Streetcar system completely electrified and mule cars retired• 1923-1927 – Birney Safety Cars acquired• Circa 1930 – Bus lines began replacing streetcar lines• Circa 1930 – Bus lines began replacing streetcar lines• 1938 – Streetcar operations cease• 1988 – Re-establish system serving Seawall Blvd., Downtown and The Strand• 1995 and 2003 – Expanded system to Galveston Wharf and UTMB Campus


© AREMA 2009 ®


Design Considerations of Current Trolley System

Underlying and General ConsiderationsHi t f th d l t f l t i t ti•History of the development of electric traction

parallels U.S. with local variations1900 hurricane extended use of mule carsSubsequent slow growth in Galveston slowed

modernization of systemDelayed purchase of Birney Safety CarsPrevented purchase of PCC cars

•Intent of new trolley project was to replicate the historic streetcars•Decision to use self-propelled streetcars because of the damage to the OH electrification system caused by the 1900 Hurricanecaused by the 1900 Hurricane•New vehicle to be traditional and replicate the vehicles circa 1895-1915


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Car Body Design Considerations•Closed car because of varied environmental and weather conditions•Size of car to be based on projected ridership (32-40 PAX seated facing forward)•Closed vs. open ends, but operator comfort considered•Design to allow for one operator (different from old Galveston streetcars –•Design to allow for one operator (different from old Galveston streetcars –motorman and conductor)•Air conditioning unlikely so operable windows required

Truck Assembly ConsiderationsTarget design period had single and double truck vehicles•Operating characteristics - single vs. double trucks to be compatible with:

Specific body designSpecific body designPropulsion system selectedOperations of the systemTrack geometry


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Car Interior ConsiderationsLittl hi t i i f ti t id d i id ti•Little historic information to guide design consideration

•Should be simple and functional•Allow for low maintenance and easy cleaning•Material used should be durable (i.e. wood seats used (St. Charles Street Line in New Orleans should be considered)

InfrastructureInfrastructure•Mostly Street operations•Embedded track in street•7” girder rail, wood ties and conventional fasteningg , g•Not electrified because of 1900 hurricane experience•Use highway traffic signals for control•Open stations with defined platform, signage and some with canopies


with canopies

© AREMA 2009 ®


Characteristics of Trolley System

Pre-Hurricane Ike Operations and Routes

Two Route, 6-Mile System• Beach/Downtown Route (approx. 5.2 miles)

19 stops 20 minute headwaysSeawall Boulevard, 25th/Rosenberg Street,

Downtown and The Strand • UTMB/Downtown Route (approx. 0.8 miles)

5 stops 15 minute headwaysDowntown, The Strand and UTMB Campus

• Street runningg• Pre-Hurricane Ike ridership – 55,000 (mostly tourists)• Pre-Hurricane Ike hours of operation

Winter - 10 AM to 6 PM/8 PM (weekends)Summer 9 AM to 8 PM


Summer – 9 AM to 8 PM

© AREMA 2009 ®


Characteristics of Current Trolley System

Rolling Stock

•Four cars purchased – built by Miner Railcar (now Kasgro Rail Corporation)•Replica of 1903 Brills (used on Council Crest Line., Portland, OR)•Steel bodies and wood seats for authentic appearancepp•Capacity: Seating – 40 PAX maximum, standing - 40 PAX maximum•Propulsion – Caterpillar 3208 diesel engine w/192 HP at 1800 RPM•Engine drives generator capable of furnishing 240-480 V AC/300-600 V DC for four 40 HP series wound traction motorsfour 40 HP series-wound traction motors


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Hurricane Ike


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Hurricane Ike

•Forecasted landfill until Thursday, 9/11/08, was SW down Texas coast•Approached Galveston and Houston as a Category 2 (110 MPH)

Had a very large wind field (tropical storm forceHad a very large wind field (tropical storm force winds) – 425 miles

•Inner structure/eyewall became more organized as it approached TexasM d l df ll t G l t C t 2•Made landfall at Galveston as a Category 2

hurricane2:10 AM on Saturday, 9/13/08Maximum sustained winds of 110 MPHLarge wind field yielded storm surge approaching

a Category 4 hurricane•Storm surge was 10’-15’ (< 20’± forecasted)•Entered Galveston Bay


y•Final Texas Landfall near Baytown

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Water damage to 2 operating trolleys outside car barntrolleys outside car barn

Water damage to all 4 trolleys(2 t ll i th b t(2 trolleys were in the car barn, not

in service and were for parts)


© AREMA 2009 ®


Island Transit Recovery Plan

Trolley System

Repair all 4 rail trolleys (est. $600K each)Repair trolley tracks and switchesRepair car barn/maintenance facility (awaiting trolley repair)p y ( g y p )

Bus system

Replace buses (15 damaged)Replace buses (15 damaged)Repair bus maintenance facilityRepair administration building (attached to bus maintenance facility)

•Working with FEMA on repairs and funding no set time frame•Working with FEMA on repairs and funding, no set time frame

•No date set for resumption of trolley service


© AREMA 2009 ®

gordon island transit-history, design and impact of hurricane …€¦ · bus system replace buses...

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