Quote:
Originally Posted by TheRitsman
Its not too odd, LRT is cheaper than heavy metro, the larger oddity is that they didn't use high floor LRVs as they are cheaper, and have more space, and could still have level boarding since there are no street based stations.
RM Transit goes over this well: https://youtu.be/pI6oi8x7HYc
I like low floor because they look better in my opinion, but high floor has a lot of advantages, especially in a grade separated system.
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LRT is cheaper than heavy metro when it's not grade separated, as eliminating grade separations saves money. The way Ottawa has built it's network it would have cost basically the same, if not actually less, to use a light metro technology.
They used LRVs as at the time they weren't sure if the future outer sections of the LRT would be at grade or not. That didn't end up happening, instead opting for a 100% grade separated system, which makes the LRVs pointless.
The LRVs used in Ottawa look odd in consists as they aren't really designed to be tied together in multiple-car trains. It's the same thing in Toronto with the Eglinton LRT using 3-car consists. There it actually makes sense though as there is a significant surface running section.