Quote:
Originally Posted by Myrtonos
And does installing poles affect underground utilities and do hollow paths have something to do with it too?
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Yes, because in some places underground utilities would have to be relocated and hollow sidewalks (where basements of adjacent buildings run underneath the walk) would have to be filled in order to dig the foundations that support the poles from which the wires are hung...which increases the time and cost to build the tram line. When you have a tram that can run on battery power (at least on part of the route) those issues can be avoided.
It is also useful when tram lines run across bridges. They do not have to be rebuilt or reinforced to support the extra weight that wire support poles would add. That's one ofthe reasons Dallas decided to use a tram vehicle with batteries; their tram line is routed over a historic bridge they did not want to alter with poles.