The Bidirectional Guidelane is the dedicated right-of-way for the SMARTram 21 streetcars. Its narrow footprint would typically replace the curbside parking on one side of a city street.

Other configurations are possible as well: for example, in the center median of a boulevard type streetscape, as shown below.

The guidelane is separated from other traffic by a low curb with reflectors or other means of identification. Emergency vehicles can easily cross the curb if necessary.

The guidelane is designed to reduce pedestrian or vehicular intrusions which would require the streetcars to slow or stop. At the same time, pedestrians and vehicles are free to cross it--generating minimal impact on normal street and sidewalk activities. Because the streetcars operate at relatively slow speeds, these interactions can be handled by the drivers with optimum safety.

The guidelane provides a single, fixed-rail which provides steering to the streetcars. This enables the streetcars to have rubber-tired wheels--providing significant advantages in cost and performance as described in the Electric Streetcar section.

How would a SMARTram 21 system fit into your downtown?

Using Google Earth imaging, Village Technology is able to inexpensively create a preliminary "look" at how a SMARTram 21 system can fit into virtually any urban street in the U.S. and Canada. We can then project waiting-times, carrying capacities, and order-of-magnitude cost. This information can be packaged in a Power Point format that can be disseminated for community discussions and evaluation. For information, please contact:

John Alt
Village Technology
1-888-711-4181 Toll Free U.S. & Canada