The project

Lexitram

The LexiTram lexicon gives you the definitions of technical and administrative terminology used for the BMO light rail project.

Preliminary draft: First part of the studies for the project's design. The BMO Tramway's preliminary project was defined in summer 2008.

North-South axis: An important axis for public transportation via an exclusive right-of-way bus lane serving the major amenities of the Greater Brest area, from the Cavale Blanche hospital to Liberté square (See FAQ)

Public Consultation: An administrative procedure which is compulsory under French urban planning laws. It involves elected officials and citizens meeting to focus on a given topic. The public consultation for the Brest conurbation's light rail line gave rise to a report presented to the Urban council on April 27, 2007.

Connections: The action of ensuring that schedules for two means of transportation (light rail and bus) correspond so that riders can travel over the network.

Depot (or Maintenance facility): The place where the equipment is stored and the personnel report, with 24/24 hour service. The light rail vehicles are checked, cleaned and put away there overnight when operations stop. The Brest conurbation's Tramway depot will be built beside Montbarey Fort, opposite the Thalès company's site.

Declaration of Public Utility: This declaration (DUP) is the final step, bringing the public enquiry phase to a close. Only the Prefect (State administrator) has jurisdiction to issue the DUP. It gives the local authority the permission to fully implement everything needed to carry out the project (expropriations, getting work underway).

Public Utility Inquiry: A procedure to consult the public about a given project, opened by the Prefect and conducted by a commission made up of independent investigators appointed by the Administrative court. The Public Utility Inquiry took place from 9 March to 17 April 2009 and was completed by the Declaration of Public Utility. Approval was granted in January 2010.

Intermodality: Connecting several means of transportation, making it possible to go from one type to another during the same trip (for example: traveling by bus, then tram) (See FAQ).

Project management: Technical design office which carries out studies and steers the companies in charge of the construction work.

Park and ride (P+R) locations: these parking lots are located near the light rail stations and in strategic places in the city to enable motorists to leave their cars or cyclists their bicycles and continue their trip on the Tramway (Kergaradec, Froutven, Strasbourg square and the Technopôle science park) (See FAQ).ct management: Technical design office which carries out studies and steers the companies in charge of the construction work.

Interchange hubs:  these are places to make connections, going from one means of transportation to another. Several interchange hubs are planned: Strasbourg square, Liberté square and Prat Lédan, where connections with buses will be set up.

Full low-floor:  the floor of the light rail trains is entirely level with the platform with no slope, providing optimal accessibility for everyone (See FAQ).

Roadbed: This is the lane where the light rail car runs and where the tracks are located.

Central Control Room (PCC): A single control center set up to optimize passenger safety and traffic flow. Staff can watch control monitors to follow the trains' movement, know what is happening on the network and immediately take action if necessary.

Station: Place where travelers get on and off. The platform is at the same height as the train, which makes getting on and off easier for everyone, including the elderly, people with wheelchairs, strollers, etc. The stations are also where you can check timetables, buy tickets and contact the PCC control room if needed.

Private right-of-way: An area exclusively reserved for a single means of transportation. When the Tramway runs on its own right-of-way, it is separated from the traffic lanes by a divider. Its roadbed cannot be crossed by vehicles, but is accessible to pedestrians. This is the most usual situation.

Protected site: The platform is protected from traffic lanes by a low curb. It can be used in exceptional situations by a car or an emergency vehicle.

Priority lane: These sites are mainly be set up in narrow streets and enable car traffic to use the light rail lane. This solution will be implemented on the Recouvrance bridge where light rail and automobile traffic will alternate.

TCSP: Public transport systems in dedicated lanes or right-of-way, i.e., using a reserved lane. The Tramway is a TCSP, as is the High Service level bus.

Commercial speed: Average speed of a bus line or light rail line taking account of stops at stations, etc. The commercial speed of Greater Brest's Tramway will be approximately 20 km/h on average, including stopping time in stations.

Source: © SemTram – June 2010