Because of its unique attributes, electricity has played and will continue to play an important role in the development of certain modes of transportation. Although dominated by fossil fuels as a direct source of energy for motive power, transportation has relied upon electricity for particular situations. This report discusses the role of electricity in transportation, including the history of electrified transportation, its current status, and prospects for the future. The historical coverage includes early city transit development, the evolution of the electric streetcar, and the progression of railroad electrification in the United States. Railroads are now the dominant mode of transportation that uses electricity; as such, most of the attention given to the current status of electrified transportation concerns this mode. Railroad electrifications throughout the world are compared, and the current situation regarding railroad electrification in the United States is noted. Future development of electrified transportation may include new rail rapid transit systems and reemployment of electric trolley buses. 43 references, 7 tables. (ERA citation 09:022777)
Electric Railroads and Trolley Systems: Past, Present, and Future
1984
52 pages
Report
No indication
English
Development of trolley-wire poles for electric railroads
Engineering Index Backfile | 1932
|Voltage drop in trolley wires and rails of electric railroads
Engineering Index Backfile | 1931
|Trolley wires for electric railroads in lignite open-pit mines
Engineering Index Backfile | 1930
|The present and future of American railroads
Engineering Index Backfile | 1897
|Past and prospective railroads
Engineering Index Backfile | 1891
|