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Luas is the light rail transit system currently under construction in Dublin. Luas operates with a mixture of street running, reserved track and dedicated right-of-way. This will be complemented by a metro system on totally segregated track including underground tunnels in the city centre.
The Dublin Luas system, now under construction, is a state of the art Light Rail Transit (LRT) system. LRT systems offer a unique set of benefits providing an attractive alternative to the use of private cars. A brief look at these benefits and related features will explain why they have become so popular world-wide and why Luas is the obvious choice for Dublin.
Rail guidance is essential where long vehicles are required to carry the same number of passengers as several standard buses and yet penetrate existing street networks.
The high passenger carrying capacity of trams justifies the provision of dedicated tram paths and priority at junctions which ensure high quality reliability in terms of speed and frequency.
LRT technology allows the development of efficient systems with closely spaced stops. This allows stops to be located conveniently and within reasonable walking distance.
Running on continuously-welded rails with resilient wheels and high specification suspension along dedicated pathways LRT trams provide the smoothest ride in town.
LRT systems are designed and operated to ensure that trams can mingle safely with city traffic, both pedestrian and vehicular. This is particularly important at junctions and other locations where other vehicles must use the tram path. At the same time other vehicles respect the fact that trams run on a fixed path.
LRT stops involve platforms about twice the height of a normal kerb which allow for level boarding of trams by persons in wheelchairs and other persons whose mobility is impaired. Platforms are typically ramped at each end to allow easy access to the platform for boarding.
Trams are powered by electricity and therefore there are no fumes or smoke emissions.
The fact that trams are electrically powered and the use of continuously welded rail, resilient wheels, skirting, etc., mean that modern LRT systems are surprisingly quiet.
Beyond these core transportation benefits LRT systems almost inevitably prompt further environmental enhancement and socio-economic revitalisation of the areas that they serve and quickly become important items of civic pride.
Trams will operate at 5 minute intervals at peak time and at intervals of about 10 minutes during off-peak times. With powers to provide services on a 24 hour basis the start and finish times for services can be set to respond to demand.
"Rush Hour" journey times are impressive by any standard:
Tallaght Square to Middle Abbey Street: 38 minutes
Tallaght to Connolly Station: 43 minutes
Sandyford Industrial Estate to St.Stephen's Green: 22 minutes
1 Tram = 168 Cars = 235 People
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