Proposal for the implementation of the light rail transit in the central region of Caxias do Sul/RS

Abstract

The idea of public transport heavily based on the bus has become outdated and can bring a negative image to the system. Parallel to this, current scenarios in medium and large cities show that public transport infrastructure needs to explore new alternatives, in addition to those already consolidated, including to promote more sustainability in people’s lives. The Light Rail Vehicle, in addition to being efficient and attractive, can offer the necessary attributes so that the regions where it is inserted become more sustainable, due to the reduction of the consumption of natural resources and the air and noise pollution. The intention of the present study is to highlight the importance of this technology, through a case study in the central region of South Caxias/RS. Throughout the text, some advantages of the implementation of this system are mentioned, such as redevelopment/revitalization of historical areas. Two scenarios of LRV deployment were analyzed: 1) a straight line route, at Júlio de Castilhos Avenue; 2) circular line route, in Júlio de Castilhos and Italy Avenues and Sinimbu Street. Both alternatives were feasible, each with its peculiarities. The first scenario resulted in a vehicle traveling at a speed of 21km/h through each boarding/landing point every 10 minutes on average. The speed of the vehicles in the second scenario is 26km/h and the average frequency is 1 vehicle every 8 minutes. It should be noted that in Scenario II there is the possibility of insertion of more vehicles in the road as demand increases, because it is circular.