Reserved track, in tram transport terminology, is track on ground exclusively for
tram
A tram (called a streetcar or trolley in North America) is a rail vehicle that travels on tramway tracks on public urban streets; some include segments on segregated right-of-way. The tramlines or networks operated as public transport ...
s (in the US, typically called a "private
right-of-way
Right of way is the legal right, established by grant from a landowner or long usage (i.e. by prescription), to pass along a specific route through property belonging to another.
A similar ''right of access'' also exists on land held by a gov ...
").
Description
Unlike
street running
A street running train is a train which runs on a track built on public streets. The rails are embedded in the roadway, and the train shares the street with other users, such as pedestrians, cars and cyclists, thus often being referred to as ru ...
track embedded in streets and roads, reserved track does not need to take into account the transit of other wheeled vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists or horses. It is the cheapest form of tram track to install (not counting land acquisition costs), and usually is constructed like railway track with conventional sleepers (
railroad ties).
Many modern tramway/light rail systems operate over reserved track formerly forming part of a heavy-rail network, e.g. Manchester, London and Nottingham (UK) and Sydney, Melbourne, and Adelaide in Australia.
Tram transport track can be either reserved track or street running type.
Semi-reserved track
An intermediate form, whereby tramlines are laid in the middle of a road, and segregated from other road users either by being raised approximately 10 centimetres above street level, and/or with small studs, or simply by a painted white line. This space is normally for trams only, or for trams, buses, taxis and emergency vehicles. However ordinary traffic may cross into the tram lane to pass parked vehicles. In Belgium this is known as a ''bijzondere overrijdbare bedding''
or ''site spécial franchissable''. The tram lane may be roughened by paving it with
cobbles
Cobblestone is a natural building material based on cobble-sized stones, and is used for pavement roads, streets, and buildings.
Setts, also called Belgian blocks, are often casually referred to as "cobbles", although a sett is distinct f ...
as an additional deterrent to use by rubber-tyred vehicles.
See also
*
Street running
A street running train is a train which runs on a track built on public streets. The rails are embedded in the roadway, and the train shares the street with other users, such as pedestrians, cars and cyclists, thus often being referred to as ru ...
, where trams or other vehicles share a right of way on a road or street
*
Tramway track
Tramway track is used on tramways or light rail operations. Grooved rails (or girder rails) are often used to provide a protective flangeway in the trackwork in city streets. Like standard rail tracks, tram tracks consist of two parallel s ...
References
Tram transport
Tram technology
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