Light Rail FAQ’s

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  • Why light rail/ modern streetcar?
    Studies conducted from 2003/2004, and updated in 2015 by the MPO and Miami-Dade County examined public transportation technologies and routes to address worsening traffic congestion, improve  regional mobility between Miami Beach and Downtown Miami/Midtown areas, and  improve internal circulation within the downtowns. Based on population, development and travel demand forecasts, we expect demand to increase.  As a result of these studies, the recommendation was made for an electrically powered light rail transit/modern streetcar system to connect Miami Beach and Miami via the MacArthur Causeway.A Policy Executive Committee (PEC) made up of elected officials of Cities of Miami Beach, Miami, Miami-Dade County and FDOT leadership was formed to provide guidance. The Committee met on February 4, 2016 to discuss FDOT’s recommendations regarding approaches to expedite the entire project (Downtown-MacArthur Causeway-Convention Center) while allowing each City to move forward with their portion of the project to the extent that it does not jeopardize Federal funding or other portions of the project.  At that meeting, the PEC endorsed moving forward with two separate projects, instead of the one-project approach recommended by FDOT.  Each project would have independent utility, but together form the regional Beach Corridor project.A Federal New Starts Project with limits from Midtown Miami (at or near NE 41 Street and NE 2 Avenue) to a Transit Hub Connector located in the vicinity of 5 Street and Alton Road in Miami Beach under one National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) document, under Miami-Dade County management (“Beach Corridor Direct Connection Project”). A Non-Federal, locally funded project with limits from a Transit Hub Connector located in the vicinity of 5th Street and Alton Road to the Miami Beach Convention Center with a proposed transit loop system to enhance connectivity, under a State Environmental process to be initiated and led by the City of Miami Beach (“Miami Beach Light Rail/Streetcar Project”).The light rail/modern streetcar transit mode will use the latest technology employing wireless power/communication, to avoid visual intrusion of overhead catenary and wires.   Further, the City of Miami Beach Commission decided that to provide maximum capacity and highest quality passenger service, the proposed streetcar should operate like a light rail system in dedicated transit lanes, but be designed consistent with the urban design identity of our city streets.The transportation system in the City is geographically constrained; it is generally not possible to add lanes to existing roadways or develop new roadway infrastructure.  A light rail/modern streetcar provides the opportunity for a new form of transportation that would offer reliable mobility and connectivity for residents and visitors with a long-term sustainable transportation option for the South Beach area.  Cities across the United States and abroad have experienced the economic and public benefits of a progressive urban
    environment and healthy pedestrian mobility associated with public investment in light rail/modern streetcar projects. These benefits are consistent with the goals of the City of Miami Beach.
  • How is a modern streetcar different from a bus?
    A light rail/modern streetcar provides high capacity transportation beyond what a standard bus or trolley can provide. Unlike a bus route, implementing a modern streetcar represents a significant infrastructure investment that helps to maintain and attract economic
    development.  A modern streetcar operating in an exclusive right of way provides a substantial improvement in the level of transit service.  The light rail/ modern streetcar technology will generally be unimpeded by traffic congestion, and will therefore provide improved reliability and travel time savings.  In addition, the quality of ride provided by the electrically powered vehicles operating on rails is much better than buses on asphalt streets.  Modern streetcars in Portland, Tampa and Seattle have demonstrated that streetcars provide a strong incentive for economic development and smart growth.
    The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), signed by the County, State, City of Miami Beach and City of Miami (July 2016) speaks to implementation of a modern project, that would represent a significant infrastructure investment that would help to maintain economic development. Cities across the nation have implemented successful public transportation options that complement bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure, and improved connectivity to popular destinations.  These projects have demonstrated that rail transit infrastructure provides a strong incentive for “smart growth”. The links below to other urban rail transit projects provide information that may clarify this response further.
    KansasCity Streetcar Project
    Tucson Sunlink Lightrail
  • Why this route?
    The light rail/modern streetcar route was identified in the 2002 Miami-Miami Beach Transportation Corridor Study and further documented in Phase 2 of that study in 2004 and the Beach Corridor Transit Connection Study completed in 2015 (Miami-Dade MPO).  The proposed light rail/modern streetcar route would provide service to key destinations in the South Beach area and effectively link residential areas, hotels and other major business and entertainment destinations, such as Lincoln Road, the Miami Beach Convention Center, The New World Symphony/ Soundscape Park and The Fillmore.
  • How loud would the MB Rail be?
    The noise generated by a light rail/modern streetcar is generally compatible with a high functioning urban environment and is generally less noticeable than what is typically experienced from cars, truck and buses operating on the street.
    Vehicle motor noise – Modern rail vehicles are electrically powered and its motors are very quiet and generally indistinguishable in an urban environment.
    Wheel/rail interface- Modern rail vehicles operate on a steel wheel on a steel rail.  The noise generated by the wheel/rail interface varies depending on the speed of the vehicle; noise increases with increasing speeds.  At the low operating speeds anticipated in the City of Miami Beach, wheel/rail noise would be low, and generally lower than existing “street noise” from traffic
    Ancillary equipment – Compressors, air conditioning, controllers which are generally not noisier than anything else operating in the current environment.
    Audible warning devices – Because streetcars are relatively quiet, they are equipped with audible warning devices (bells, horns) to alert pedestrians and patrons, at the operator’s discretion.
    A detailed assessment of any potential project noise and vibration impact is currently under way and will be available for public review by Fall 2016.
  • How would the MB Rail get its power?
    The proposed light rail/ modern streetcar proposed for the CMB would obtain power through a ground power system (GPS) which is a rail embedded in the street.  The power system is activated only when a light rail/ modern streetcar vehicle is present over the embedded rail and the power is transmitted through a shoe mounted on the bottom of the vehicle.  When the vehicle is not present, the embedded rail is deactivated.  Power for the system comes from the local power provider and is routed through traction power substations located along the route and into the embedded rail. There will be no overhead wires along the route.
  • Will it be ADA compliant?  
    Yes. The proposed rail project would be designed to be fully compatible with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA).  The project would provide easy access for elderly transit riders, users with physical disabilities, passengers with wheelchairs and strollers, and bicycles, through “level boarding” from the platform. Light Rail/ modern streetcars offer low-floor design with easy access from the street as well as interior layouts without steps or ramps.
  • How would the MB Rail impact traffic operations?
    The proposed rail project would be constructed primarily within existing street rights of way.  Because the system would generally operate in exclusive right of way, it would displace existing uses within the streets along the route.  This would require modifications to the existing street system as well as modifications to the traffic control system.  These modifications are being designed to maintain a reasonable level of traffic operations during peak periods and also support efficient streetcar operations. Any parking would be replaced outside the immediate area of travel.A detailed traffic impact analysis is underway and available for public review fall of 2016.
  • How would the MB Rail construction be funded?
    The rail project construction or what is termed “capital costs” is in review and discussion with prospective public funding partners to develop the final plan. Capital grants, existing and new revenues available to the City of Miami Beach such as resort taxes, City’s share of Peoples Transportation Plan Sales Tax and select parking garage fees are all being taken into consideration. The City continues to develop the funding plan and will have more details in the fall of 2016.
  • How would the cost of MB Rail operations be funded?
    The Rail project operations costs (operations, maintenance and periodic renewal and replacement of materials) are anticipated to be funded as follows:
    25% from direct transit user fees such as ridership fares and advertising (this is the “average” revenue recovery rate for public transit systems in the U.S.) and 75% from existing and new revenues available to the City of Miami Beach such as resort taxes, City Center
    available revenues, and other revenues available to the City. The City continues to develop the funding plan and will have more details in the fall of 2016.
  • What will be the impacts during construction of the rail project?
    Construction activities and impacts will be similar to those already experienced during road or utility construction. Construction will include removal and replacement of the existing street surface to place track and other infrastructure into the street. This will result in temporary disruption of existing traffic and circulation patterns, for which temporary detours would be provided to the traveling public. Construction activities will generate noise which will vary depending on the type of activity and equipment in use.
    The City of Miami Beach intends to use the rail construction project as an opportunity to correct drainage concerns and update utilities along the route which will essentially entail roadway reconstruction. Detailed construction staging plans will be developed as the project progresses to maintain access to existing businesses along the route during the construction period. The community will be informed in a timely manner once construction phasing plans and related detours have been developed.
  • How long will it take to construct the MB Rail?
    The design-build phase will last approximately 18-24 months.
  • Why was light rail/streetcar technology selected vs. numerous other transportation options utilized around the world?
    The light rail/ modern streetcar technology was selected, in part, to be consistent with the selected alternative for the Beach Corridor Connection project which was planned to provide a rail transit link between downtown Miami and downtown Miami Beach via the MacArthur Causeway. The light rail/modern streetcar technology is considered to be the most reliable and proven technology to provide rail transit service within the City of Miami Beach.  The transit technology proposed for CMB is state of the art technology that has been implemented in a number of cities in Europe, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East.
  • Trains that run on rubber wheels seem like an attractive, low cost, easy to implement system. Why is this technology not being considered?
    There are no vehicles that run on rubber tires that would fulfill the technical, operational and capacity requirements and demands for the scale of the local community with the Beach Corridor Project.
  • It’s my understanding that the proposed rail project will occupy the center median and that the tracks will be raised three feet to account for sea level rise in the coming years. If so, how will pedestrians cross the street? How will a person enter/exit the streetcar? How will the streetcar make a left turn?
    The rail project tracks would be constructed at the same level as the street to provide enhanced mobility, accommodation and adherence to ADA compliance, and ultimately “level boarding” i.e., boarding on the same level as the sidewalk or platform.  In some cases, such as an Alton Road & 5 Street option, the streets and the tracks would be constructed at a higher elevation in concurrence with the city’s sustainability and resiliency plan.
    Regarding left turns, the proposed rail project would be controlled by a modified traffic signal system designed with special phasing for pedestrian, vehicular and rail operations.
  • If the South Beach Local bus service is cancelled, how will elderly and disabled residents get around? For example, most residents of Rebecca Towers use the South Beach Local as their sole means of transportation.
    The South Beach Local bus service will not be cancelled. There may be modifications to the route and stops along the streetcar route which will be documented and presented for public review fall of 2016.
  • Is a trolley car system planned to replace the South Beach Local. How will this enhance mobility for short trips?
    Commission has recommended replacing the South Beach Local with a city trolley whether or not the rail project is implemented. The South Beach Local/trolley will be interfaced to provide additional transportation options.
  • Will the trolley car system be coordinated with the proposed light rail/ modern streetcar? If the MB Rail drops me five blocks from my final destination, will a trolley car be available to take me the rest of the way? What if my home is six blocks from the nearest MB Rail pick-up point; would a trolley be available to deliver me to the MB Rail?
    Yes, local bus and trolley lines will be coordinated with the rail transit line.  The City would continue to implement the rail transit project and also provide a variety of comprehensive mobility options throughout Miami Beach.  Part of the review and discussion includes the potential for converting existing trolleys into feeder routes to provide collector service into nearby neighborhoods.
  • I read about a system of collector parking lots that would encourage visitors to drop their cars off and utilize public transportation during their stay at the beach. Is this being considered as part of an overall mobility solution?
    There are a number of existing and planned parking facilities along the proposed light rail/modern streetcar route. It is anticipated that many people would find it more convenient to ride the light rail/modern streetcar than to retrieve their car from a parking structure, drive to their destination, and try to find another parking space.  The proposed light rail/modern streetcar is an important part of the overall mobility solution for the South Beach area because it would provide a convenient option for travel from parking to a final destination. Funded project sites are located at 16 Street & West Avenue, 13 Street & Collins Avenue, 10 Street & Washington Avenue, 23 Street & Collins Avenue.Additional projects are under consideration in the vicinity, such as: 5 Street & Alton Road, and  9 Street &Washington Avenue.
  • Will the light rail/modern streetcar cause an increase in crime?
    It is a common misconception that public transit brings about crime. With the success of many other projects across the nation, we anticipate the creation of jobs and accessibility of transit to be a positive impact on our community.
    Related Studies/Cases:
    – A similar study of the SkyTrain transit system in Vancouver also concluded that crime along the transit line decreased. Click here to read more.
    – A study in Los Angeles concluded, “the transit line has not had significant impacts on crime trends or crime dislocation in the station neighborhoods, and has not transported crime from the inner city to the suburbs”. Click here to read more.
    – The safety of the light rail/modern streetcar system is of paramount importance and maintaining a safe environment on and around the system will be a primary consideration in the system design. The system will be monitored with closed circuit television.  The system will be designed for high visibility and lighting for pedestrian spaces. In addition, fare enforcement and security personnel will be present on the vehicles and at stops.
    – A study in Charlotte, North Carolina found that crime in the vicinity of light rail stations decreased after opening of the Lynx light rail line. Click here to read more.