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36 <br /> Light rail vehicles can operate in exclusive right of way, as well as along urban streets, and <br /> characteristically serve accessible low platform (14 inches high) stations. The operations <br /> plan for the 17-mile alignment includes train frequencies (headways) of every 10 minutes <br /> during the morning and evening peak and 20 minutes during the off-peak hours and on <br /> weekends. Fifteen vehicles will be required to operate the system based on an 18 hour <br /> schedule each weekday. Several potential light rail vehicle maintenance facility locations <br /> are being evaluated and are also included in the financial plan. Detailed alignment and <br /> station location decisions will occur in the future at the preliminary engineering and final <br /> design stages, within 1-4 years after a successful referendum and levy of the sales tax. <br /> Durham County's share of capital cost for the Durham and Orange Light Rail Project is <br /> approximately$1, 050 billion (2011 dollars). The total cost for the project is $1.4 billion <br /> ($2011). Durham County's share of operations and maintenance costs are estimated at <br /> $11.3 million/year (2011 dollars). Total operations and maintenance cost are estimated <br /> at $15 million/year. <br /> C. New Commuter Rail Service <br /> The Durham County Bus and Rail Investment Plan provides funding for a transit system <br /> that serves Durham and Wake County using Commuter Rail technology (CRT). The 37-mile <br /> alignment extends from West Durham to Greenfield Parkway in Garner via Durham, the <br /> Research Triangle Park, Morrisville, Cary, Raleigh, and Garner. A total of 12 stations have <br /> been proposed, including locations with major bus and Amtrak intercity rail connections <br /> available in downtown Durham, downtown Cary, and downtown Raleigh. Due to the <br /> vehicle's performance capabilities, length of the corridor, and the needs of activity centers <br /> being served, station spacing is typically between 2 miles and 10 miles for commuter rail <br /> systems.. <br /> Commuter Rail vehicles are pulled by diesel powered locomotives and travel at speeds up <br /> to 79 mph. Total, end-to-end, travel time for the 37-mile alignment is about 51 minutes <br /> including stops. The train would include a locomotive and multiple coach cars, sized <br /> according to anticipated ridership. Initial 2035 projections indicate ridership will exceed <br /> 7,000 boardings per day. This estimate is subject to change as the ridership forecasting <br /> model is refined and validated. <br /> Commuter rail vehicles must remain in the railroad corridor (i.e. no street running). The <br /> operations plan for the alignment assumes the use of existing freight tracks where <br /> possible. In some instances, a second track will be constructed to enhance the capacity of <br /> the corridor to allow for continued increases in demand for both passenger and freight <br /> traffic in the corridor. Commuter Rail operation is recognized as an inter-urban service <br /> and operates on 20 to 30 minute train frequencies (headways), primarily during the <br /> morning and evening peak periods, with the opportunity for some limited off-peak <br /> service. The service is primarily oriented towards the work-week and peak-period <br /> commuting to major employment centers. Weekend service will be considered based <br /> Page 17 <br />