Largest metro systems in the world

[Steely Dan]

I think the last time the CTA repainted a trash can at an L stop the "project" cost was in the 7 figures.


I wanna believe that this kinda shit is just more expensive to do here in the US, but every time I see transit project costs in this country, the cynic in me immediately thinks, "holy fucking GRAFT, batman!"

[jmecklenborg]

Do any of the new systems in China (or elsewhere) have express tracks like New York?

[UrbanImpact]

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

Do any of the new systems in China (or elsewhere) have express tracks like New York?

I know Copenhagen has express trains and is one the few 24/7 metros (Chicago is the only other).

The problem with the express tracks is that many systems are built with tunnel boring machines. New York was mostly done via cut and cover.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by UrbanImpact

I know Copenhagen has express trains and is one the few 24/7 metros (Chicago is the only other).

The problem with the express tracks is that many systems are built with tunnel boring machines. New York was mostly done via cut and cover.

Copenhagen Metro has express tracks? That's quite surprising since it doesn't have any express (skip-stop) service. Unless you're referring to the suburban/commuter rail S-tog system.

[UrbanImpact]

Originally Posted by Nouvellecosse

Copenhagen Metro has express tracks? That's quite surprising since it doesn't have any express (skip-stop) service. Unless you're referring to the suburban/commuter rail S-tog system.

Yes, the S-tog. A lot of the European "S" (or RER in Paris) services are pretty much equivalent to what a metro is in N. America, IMO.

[Nouvellecosse]

Originally Posted by UrbanImpact

Yes, the S-tog. A lot of the European "S" (or RER in Paris) services are pretty much equivalent to what a metro is in N. America, IMO.

Well sure but it's quite common for mainline rail services to have multiple tracks and express services since they mostly run on the surface with much less elevated or underground running. So space for extra tracks isn't at a premium like it is with mostly underground or elevated routes. Plus they travel longer distances where express services are more helpful. So it just seemed odd to mention how uncommon it is for a metro while citing a high frequency suburban rail an a rare exception since it isn't rare for them.

[Steely Dan]

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

Do any of the new systems in China (or elsewhere) have express tracks like New York?

The north mainline of the Chicago L is quad-tracked from Armitage up to Howard (~7 miles) for the purple line's rush-hour express runs.

It's the only part of the L that's quad-tracked for true express running.

[TWAK]

Originally Posted by Mad_Nick

Something China has done which is very interesting is standardize almost all aspects of metro building. It makes the process much simpler, you analyze the need for capacity and the geography, you choose from a pre-determined list, and you build. Standardized equipment, standardized signalling, technology, tracks. It becomes much cheaper and they have built expertise over time so when one metro system is done, you can use the same engineers to build the next one of the same type.

Could something similar ever be done in the west? Sure, it may result in systems that are in many ways very similar which may not be so fun for us transit enthusiasts, but it gets built and it gets built fast!

RM Transit has a video on it:
• Video Link

Electrification of the national rail network would work like that, but as far as metro? Not sure since many of the systems are wholly within a state. I'm not sure either if the other metro systems in the country use a different gauge like BART does, but they do have a 3rd rail for electricity.

[craigs]

Originally Posted by TWAK

Electrification of the national rail network would work like that, but as far as metro? Not sure since many of the systems are wholly within a state. I'm not sure either if the other metro systems in the country use a different gauge like BART does, but they do have a 3rd rail for electricity.

SEPTA's Market-Frankford line has a non-standard gauge of 5 ft. 2.5 in. (BART's is 5 ft. 6 in.).

[Mad_Nick]

Originally Posted by TWAK

Electrification of the national rail network would work like that, but as far as metro? Not sure since many of the systems are wholly within a state. I'm not sure either if the other metro systems in the country use a different gauge like BART does, but they do have a 3rd rail for electricity.

You could still set up national standards for the economies of scale, and as Reece mentions, it takes a lot of the uncertainty out of the process, there's less of a need for reinventing the wheel over and over again.

But I agree it could work for railways as well of course, in fact China is doing the same with their HSR network. If you standardize across such a vast network you quickly gain a cost advantage as you can keep producing the same standardized components on a massive scale.

[jmecklenborg]

Originally Posted by Steely Dan

The north mainline of the Chicago L is quad-tracked from Armitage up to Howard (~7 miles) for the purple line's rush-hour express runs.

It's the only part of the L that's quad-tracked for true express running.

Yeah I knew about the 4-track stuff in Philadelphia and Chicago. I should have been clear that I was asking about new construction in China or other places that aren't the old U.S. systems.

[nito]

Originally Posted by jmecklenborg

Do any of the new systems in China (or elsewhere) have express tracks like New York?

Most Chinese systems are a blend of metro and regional rail with greater distances between stations (close to 2km) which enables faster operating speeds negating the need for express routes which are required more in New York due to the lower operating speeds of local services and complex interlining which reduces individual track capacity. Other cities implement different solutions to local/express services which are too numerous to reference here adequately.