Transit experts to make pick today
Advertiser Staff
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Future riders of Honolulu's planned elevated commuter rail system may find out today whether they'll be riding on rubber, steel or air.
A panel of five experts will meet today to select which type of technology to use in Honolulu's planned "fixed guideway." Whether to use steel wheels, rubber tires, monorail or magnetic levitation technology is one of the biggest remaining questions surrounding the $3.7 billion project.
The vehicle technology selection also could be a key factor in determining whether the mass transit project appeals to potential riders and neighbors.
An official bid solicitation won't be made for at least a year. However, 12 vendors, including Hitachi, Mitsubishi, Siemens and Bombardier, already are vying for a projected $230 million vehicle sales contract from the city.
A decision on the type of vehicle must be made before an environmental impact statement for the project can be completed and the city can apply for federal transit money. Mayor Mufi Hannemann hopes to break ground on the project in 2009, with the first segment starting service between East Kapolei and Waipahu in 2012.
Hanneman has said the Honolulu City Council should adopt the panel's technology recommendation. However, the City Council isn't bound by the panel's decision, said Councilman Todd Apo.
"The final decision rests in the council's hands should we decide to exercise it," he said. "The council's right remains regardless of this panel being there."
Recently proponents for two of the venders have publicly tried to win support. At last week's panel meeting, several members of the public solicited support for Advanced Public Transport Systems' bus-like rubber-tire technology. And this week, Japan-based Itochu was featured in a local print ad touting the benefits of magnetic levitation technology.
Panel members will receive up to $20,000 each for their time and expenses.
The technology review panel consists of:
Prevedouros, who is a transportation engineering professor, is recommending the city choose rubber on cement technology in part because of its superior acceleration and deceleration rates, high top speeds and low weight.
Prevedouros, a rail opponent, also recommends the city switch from a fixed-guideway rail transit solution to a managed lanes solution.
One City Council member predicts the panel will select steel-on-steel rail technology for Honolulu's planned commuter rail.
That's because the backgrounds of four panel members involve steel-rail projects, said Councilman Charles Djou, who opposes the project.
"These are all steel-on-steel people," he said. So, "It's a steel-on-steel system. I know it. Everybody in the town knows it."
The council's Committee on Transportation and Public Works may hold a hearing on the panel's selection as soon as next week.
