 Type 2 MAX car at Sunset Transit Center Metropolitan Area Express (MAX) is a light rail system in the Portland, Oregon metropolitan area. It is operated by TriMet.
In the central city, as well as in central Hillsboro, MAX trains run in reserved lanes on surface streets, unlike the Portland Streetcar, which runs in mixed traffic. Outside the central city MAX runs primarily its own right-of-way fully separated from traffic. Older track segments are controlled by traffic signals at intersections. Newer segments are fully grade-separated or have controlled crossings to give trains the right-of-way. One three mile (4.8 km) section operates as a subway below Washington Park. This section has only one station, which is 260 feet (79 m) below ground-level – the deepest transit station in North America.
The trains operate in one- or two-car consists. MAX trains are limited to two cars due to the 200-foot (61 m) length of Portland's downtown blocks. The MAX cars are about 90 feet (27.5 m) long, so a stopped train consisting of more than two cars would block intersections. Red Line trains are typically one car long, except during peak airport travel times, while Blue Line trains are typically two cars long. Trains on the recently-opened Yellow Line often run in both configurations.
Lines
There are currently four MAX lines, with a fifth line proposed. In the following table, the Blue Line is broken into two rows due to its construction history.
Portland MAX Light Rail Lines
| Name | Nickname | Outlying terminus | Opened | Length | Stops
|
Blue
Line
| Banfield-Burnside
(Eastside)
| Cleveland Ave.
(Gresham)
| September 5, 1986
| 15 mi
(24 km)
| 29
|
Blue
Line
| Westside
| Hatfield Government Center
(Hillsboro)
| September 12, 1998
| 18 mi
(29 km)
| 20
|
Red
Line
| Airport
| Airport
| September 10, 2001
| 5.5 mi
(8.9 km) ¤
| 4
|
Yellow
Line
| Interstate
| Expo Center
| May 1, 2004
| 5.8 mi
(9.3 km) ¤
| 10
|
| Current totals
| 44.3 mi
(71.3 km)
| 63
|
Green
Line
| Clackamas
| Clackamas Town Center
| 2008
(proposed)
| 6.5 mi
(10.5 km) ¤
| 8
|
| Projected totals
| 50.8 mi
(81.8 km)
| 71
|
¤ Length shown does not include a shared segment with Eastside MAX
The central station is Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Blue Line trains run every 10 minutes (15 minutes late nights and Sundays). Red Line and Yellow Line trains run every 15 minutes. Actual schedules vary by location and time of day. At most stations a live readerboard shows the destination and time-to-arrival of the next several trains.
Types of train cars
There are currently two models of MAX cars.
The original Type 1 cars were manufactured by Bombardier Corporation and featured a raised floor with steps at the doors. The interior design was similar to that of a bus.
With the opening of Westside MAX in 1998, new Type 2 cars made by Siemens were introduced. These cars have a low-floor design, digital readerboards, and open floor plan. The floor is level with streetside platforms, greatly simplyfing access and eliminating the need for wheelchair lifts.
Portland MAX Light Rail Cars
| Designation | Manufacturer | First used | Capacity | # in fleet
|
| Type 1 | Bombardier | 1986 | 256 | 26
|
| Type 2 | Siemens | 1998 | 261 | 69
|
| Type 3 | Siemens | 2004 | 261 | 27
|
External links
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