How to Put Light Rail on a Floating Bridge: Experimental Evaluation of a Novel Approach

Thonstad, Travis; Stanton, John F.; Foan, Andy; Sleavin, John

doi:10.3141/2545-06

Cited by 2 publications

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“…Several other technical papers have thoroughly described the function, design, and laboratory component testing of the proposed CESuRa track bridge system, which will not be reiterated here (8)(9)(10). Following a description of the existing I-90 Bridge movements and description of the CESuRa track bridge system, and proposed rail movement, this paper focuses on the planning, execution, and results of the fullscale prototype testing program, which was completed in 2014.…”

Section: Introduction Of the Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Light Rail on the I-90 Floating Bridge across Lake Washington

Cooper¹,

Lawrence

Williams

et al. 2017

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

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Installing light rail transit across a floating roadway bridge presents many unique challenges, foremost of which is how to design the multidimensional moving joints at both ends of transition spans between the fixed and floating structures. A technical solution to this technical challenge has been proposed, analyzed, modeled, designed, and prototype tested in the context of the East Link Extension, a light rail transit project being carried out by Central Puget Sound Regional Transit Authority (Sound Transit). Described are the planning, execution, and results of a full-scale prototype testing program of the proposed Curved Element Supported Rail (CESuRa) Track Bridge System, based on the relationship of curved rail supports in two independent planes that adjust in response to the movements of the Interstate 90 (I-90) Bridge. The prototype CESuRa track bridges performed as expected; the information gathered and lessons learned will greatly benefit the final design, the production track-bridge fabrication, and the installation process. Also discussed is the anticipated performance of these track bridges on the I-90 structure in conjunction with the proposed direct fixation track system, fixed rail anchors, and sliding rail expansion joints to be strategically located across the 1.1-mi I-90 Bridge. Built in 1989, the I-90 Bridge is the fifth-longest floating bridge in the world and carries three westbound and two reversible lanes of traffic between Seattle and Mercer Island, Washington. The bridge will be reconfigured to carry four westbound lanes, and the reversible lanes will be converted to light rail transit.

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Section: Introduction Of the Projectmentioning

confidence: 99%

Integration of Light Rail on the I-90 Floating Bridge across Lake Washington

Cooper¹,

Lawrence

Williams

et al. 2017

Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation R

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The CESuRa System: Allowing Changes in a Rail Track Profile While Maintaining Full Vertical Support

Foan¹,

Thonstad

Stanton

2018

Urban Rail Transit

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A light rail passenger transportation system is being built in Seattle, WA, USA, that traverses Lake Washington over an existing pontoon bridge. The water level in Lake Washington changes throughout the year. This causes rotations of the transition spans, which are needed at each end of the bridge to carry traffic between the fixed, land-based structure, and the floating structure. This paper explains a novel method, the Curved Element Supported Rail (CESuRa) system, that provides rails with the ability to undergo joint rotations at the ends of the transitions spans without risk of damage, while maintaining full vertical support of the track across the joint. The geometric characteristics on which it depends for proper operation, considerations that must be accounted for when using the system for other applications in the future, and an overview of the implementation of the system on the floating bridge are discussed. Keywords Light rail transit Á Floating bridges Á Pontoon bridges Á Expansion joints Á Rail hinge Á Track bridge

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How to Put Light Rail on a Floating Bridge: Experimental Evaluation of a Novel Approach

Cited by 2 publications

References 0 publications

Integration of Light Rail on the I-90 Floating Bridge across Lake Washington

Integration of Light Rail on the I-90 Floating Bridge across Lake Washington

The CESuRa System: Allowing Changes in a Rail Track Profile While Maintaining Full Vertical Support

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