In Other News: Wireless Trolley Introduced for LA Tourism Transit
What is wireless and needs a conductor? The Grove Introduces Wireless Trolley Technology in U.S., Green Car Links New Retail/Entertainment Center to Farmer's Market
Construction workers today climbed aboard for a test ride on Los Angeles' latest transit innovation -- a wireless trolley that Caruso Affiliated Holdings has installed at The Grove, its retail and entertainment center adjacent to the Farmers Market, set to open March 15.
The double deck, open-air trolley will carry a maximum of 62 passengers and run at a maximum speed of five miles per hour. It will operate from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily on a quarter-mile track that loops between The Grove and the historic Farmers Market, making the trip in six minutes and 12 seconds with three intermediate stops. The Grove Trolley is painted green for its clean inductive power technology being used for the first time in the United States.
"There's something about riding on an open-air trolley that is special for young and old," said Rick Caruso, CEO of Caruso Affiliated Holdings who conceived the idea for the trolley. "But it's not just for fun at The Grove; it's a serious transit system that ensures people can move back and forth easily between our center and the Farmers Market."
The Grove Trolley may use 21st century technology but it still will have old fashioned touches such as an official conductor. Kids celebrating birthdays can sign up to be "Conductor for the Day" and sound the famous "clang clang" by ringing its brass bell, according to Caruso.
The Grove Trolley runs on clean inductive technology that Caruso has imported to the U.S. for the first time. The system, currently found only in Europe and New Zealand, has piqued the interest of transportation managers across the country who will be visiting The Grove to assess the system for broader public transportation needs, Caruso says.
The trolley derives its power from 52 12-volt batteries stored on board that are recharged inductively each time the car passes over an in-ground coil at the east end of the track. Unlike a conventional transformer where the two elements are tightly coupled, the inductive power technology transfers the charge across a one-inch air gap to the on-board battery system. This allows clean and efficient recharging with no emissions and no down time during its daily operating schedule. A maintenance barn is also located at the east end of the track.
The trolley, designed by George McGinnis, retired from Walt Disney Imagineering, and Dave Williams of Caruso Affiliated Holdings, sits on an historic undercarriage from a Boston street car of the 1950s. Its exterior ornamentation includes red oak running boards and custom-cast brass handrails and fittings. Two spiral staircases lead to the upper deck. The trolley has redundant braking systems as well as a parking brake with fail-safe caliper brakes to prevent skidding. Wigwag lights at The Grove's internal street signal pedestrians and cars when the trolley is approaching.
The trolley was built by Production Resource Group and will be operated by Southern California Rail Services, Inc. Track design was by Boyle Engineering Corporation with track installation by experienced railway engineers from Sharper Fellows.
The Grove, a 575,000-square-foot retail/entertainment destination, is set on 20 acres adjacent to the historic Farmers Market at Third and Fairfax in Los Angeles. Stores such as Nordstrom, FAO Schwarz and Barnes & Noble have individually designed facades reflecting an architectural style synonymous with the region such as Art Deco, classical and mission. The Grove creates an open-air urban village for shopping and entertainment with an internal pedestrian mainstreet, meandering shopping walkways and plazas set around significant public spaces. A focal point is a large public park that serves as a major gathering place with a lake and animated water features. Fountains, original works of art and garden areas will add color and character to the walkways and plazas.
Caruso Affiliated Holdings owns a portfolio of properties throughout the United States including some of the best regarded and highest-grossing retail centers in Southern California. Caruso is known for its open-air community and regional retail centers that serve as vibrant gathering places such as The Commons at Calabasas, The Promenade at Westlake and Encino Marketplace.
--Posted Feburary 21, 2002
Source: Press Release