Calgary Public Transit II

[fusili]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

Perhaps there should be notices of those services at the stations.

That might be a good idea. Even a help phone could work. I remember there was something similar on the Golden Gate Bridge when I was in San Francisco.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by fusili

That might be a good idea. Even a help phone could work. I remember there was something similar on the Golden Gate Bridge when I was in San Francisco.

That's actually what I was thinking about, I remember seeing that in that documentary about the suicides on that bridge.

[Boris2k7]

Or you could put in plastic/fibreglass barriers like they do on many high-traffic stations in Paris. Doors don't slide open until the train comes to a halt. May or may not prevent suicides, but would at least go a long way towards preventing accidental deaths.

[You Need A Thneed]

None of the three deaths on the NE line in the last two weeks were at stations, though. All three at level crossings.

[DizzyEdge]

I'm not sure how much you can do really, other than doors like Boris described + all trains underground at all times.

Then you can just walk in front of the CPR.

[Wooster]

Great plan guys. I'd love to meet and chat about it sometime soon.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Boris2k7

Or you could put in plastic/fibreglass barriers like they do on many high-traffic stations in Paris. Doors don't slide open until the train comes to a halt. May or may not prevent suicides, but would at least go a long way towards preventing accidental deaths.

Would need to put in automated train control or it would be unworkable. In any case, it would be exceedingly expensive.

[reflexzero]

Recent transit deaths are a shame, suicide or not, street level crossings are dangerous.


I was wondering if they are using any sort of technology to let the real time information system let us know if the next train that is coming is also full, when it is put in place in August. I thought they could put some infrared beams to shoot through the windows. If the beam can hit the sensor on the other side of the track, it could infer that there was still room on the train. If the beam was blocked by a human standing in the aisle, then it could tell us to sit tight and wait for the next train.

[DizzyEdge]

I'm wondering if any of these crossing deaths were the situation where two trains are coming from opposite directions, and the moment one passes someone starts walking, thinking the continued signalling is just from the just passed train, and not realizing another is coming in the opposite direction. Some sort of directional arrow might help in that case.

Or you know, waiting until signals are off before crossing.

[You Need A Thneed]

I've thought a bit about the crossings of 36th St in the last week or so, and I think there are some that should be rebuilt. There are some that have no pedestrian refuge on one side of the tracks. Another map view.

I think these would be significantly safer with full pedestrian refuges on both sides, plus force pedestrians to turn towards the coming trains before crossing.

Also, some of these crossings only have one not very bright light flashing to warn pedestrians. I can easily see how a pedestrian would not notice the lights. Compare that to the number of lights at the new Whitehorn Station level crossing - I think they'd be hard to miss. Here's one of the newer crossings at 44th Ave.

The old crossings still just have the simple small lights that say "C-Train" - like the one seen here.

[polishavenger]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I'm wondering if any of these crossing deaths were the situation where two trains are coming from opposite directions, and the moment one passes someone starts walking, thinking the continued signalling is just from the just passed train, and not realizing another is coming in the opposite direction. Some sort of directional arrow might help in that case.

Or you know, waiting until signals are off before crossing.

How is it that people dont pay attention to what is happening around them in a busy urban setting? I see too many morons relying on others to watch out for them, walking around staring at their phones, or lost in their thoughts with head phones on. Who is teaching them basic survival skills?

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by polishavenger

How is it that people dont pay attention to what is happening around them in a busy urban setting? I see too many morons relying on others to watch out for them, walking around staring at their phones, or lost in their thoughts with head phones on. Who is teaching them basic survival skills?

I blame it on ipods.


just put a gate there like at the end crossings of platform stations, and apply a light voltage to it when the lights are flashing.

[Boris2k7]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Would need to put in automated train control or it would be unworkable. In any case, it would be exceedingly expensive.

It's an extra expense, granted, but the perceived safety benefits may be enough to sell it for a small number of stations.

What I'm not sure is how you figure it would be "unworkable" without the train being fully automated. As an example, all it would take is for a driver to push a button that gives out a radio frequency similar to the one for remote keyless entry for automobiles.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I'm not sure what the solution is for the parking. Now they said that they have this shortfall due to the lack of people paying for parking. What about before the $3 was imposed? Or is the parking fees supposed to pay for parking lot services which weren't happening before (upkeep, security, etc)

The parking fee was one of those blatant cash grabs that shifted transit monies around in the budget somewhat. When the public screamed enough about them, and Nenshi campaigned on it, there was no alternative other than this lame "reserved spots" system. Which apparently is operating at 16% capacity.

Like all stupid, poorly thought out cash grabs (hello many automobile tickets), the City should have looked at funding transit PROPERLY in the first freaking place. If more money came in from something else, fine - but don't base your whole damn budget assuming the PnR lot fees will always come a'rolling in.

I've seen not a hint of difference in the PnR lots since the fees came in. The money was being used to fund operational budgets, and it's nowhere near enough now that the vast majority of the ridership has refused to take part in the idiotic scheme.

Expect long-overdue fare increases soon. It's about damned time, too. Although I did laugh out loud at Gord Lowe's idiotic ramblings about how he's a senior and he has a good pension so he can easily afford to pay full price. I really hate how weak the modern media is, because any good reporter would have then asked "Oh really? And how much could you pay for your free Alderman's parking spot in downtown Calgary? Also, thanks for reminding transit users and taxpayers of how much money they're contributing towards your pension".

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Boris2k7

It's an extra expense, granted, but the perceived safety benefits may be enough to sell it for a small number of stations.

What I'm not sure is how you figure it would be "unworkable" without the train being fully automated. As an example, all it would take is for a driver to push a button that gives out a radio frequency similar to the one for remote keyless entry for automobiles.

Doors need to line up perfectly every time. Can you find an example of platform doors without ATO?

Much cheaper to just fund a special study or series of studies to mak sure the LRT isn't a suicide magnet, and if it is, mitigate the effect so there aren't shutdowns too often.

The main benefit in Toronto from ATO and platform doors from an efficiency stand point isn't suicides, it is preventing news and other papers from blowing onto the tracks and causing 'smoke at track level' after coming into contact with the third rail.

[MichaelS]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

Much cheaper to just fund a special study or series of studies to mak sure the LRT isn't a suicide magnet, and if it is, mitigate the effect so there aren't shutdowns too often.

Softer trains?

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Softer trains?

I am sure could implement suicide prevention through environmental design, put in support telephones, implement exhortation campaign. If magnet problem exists media cooperation and a public health strategy can be attempted to stop the issue (even if Torontoès Bloor viaduct problem only ended when they put up a barrier)

If youère talking $5 million + per station, plus ATO, there is lots you can do for far less money they may be reasonably successful.

[elconsulto]

Originally Posted by MichaelS

Softer trains?

I have some old mattresses and bungee cords in my garage.

[Ramsayfarian]

Originally Posted by elconsulto

I have some old mattresses and bungee cords in my garage.

Given up on the trickpad?

[mersar]

Looks like tonight's commute will be fun. There was a pretty bad incident in the NE this morning that damaged /tore down reportedly a few hundred meters of caternary around Barlow/Max Bell, and CT is saying that it might be fixed by 4pm.