Calgary Public Transit II - Page 293

You Need A Thneed · #**5841** Posted **Dec 13, 2012, 6:00 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RyLucky

In my vision, it's just BRT on Shag until 2027, at which time a new technology becomes available and the hill is no problem.

Funicular?

freeweed · #**5842** Posted **Dec 13, 2012, 6:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by You Need A Thneed

Funicular?

BRT - Blimp Rapid Transit.

MichaelS · #**5843** Posted **Dec 13, 2012, 7:13 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

BRT - Blimp Rapid Transit.

Self driving cars, But they are so sterile and wouldn't offer any company as you sit in the car having a robot handle the commute. So instead, I submit this solution for your consideration:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/a...s-driving-test-really-CAN-drive-car.html

Allan83 · #**5844** Posted **Dec 13, 2012, 9:43 PM**

Just tweeted:

Calgary Transit ‏@calgarytransit
Congratulations to Calgary Transit customer Craig Hardy for being CT's 100 millionth rider in 2012.

Cage · #**5845** Posted **Dec 13, 2012, 10:05 PM**

Here's the video of 100 millionth customer:
http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/Video+...ne+surprise+millionth/7695780/story.html

Joborule · #**5846** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 3:32 AM**

Is there a big difference in prcing in regards to trenching the line rather than doing a subway/elevated? Seeing how well the trench components of the West LRT works, not having to interact with traffic on a major road, it should be something that's considered in fixing up the NE line on the 36th Street E corridor.

DizzyEdge · #**5847** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 3:44 AM**

That would work well on 36th. I kind of which they hadn't done trenching for the west LRT, as now its left 11 blocks of 17th ave which will never have retail or higher density residential on the north side of the ave.

RicoLance21 · #**5848** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 3:28 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

That would work well on 36th. I kind of which they hadn't done trenching for the west LRT, as now its left 11 blocks of 17th ave which will never have retail or higher density residential on the north side of the ave.

I always thought the trench may be deep enough to build something on top of it. The whole section between Westbrook and 45th would then become a subway. Perhaps retail fronting the northern edge of the trench, a parking lane along the southern edge of the trench, and a sidewalk/dedicated bike lane on top of the trench wide enough for outdoor patios. To add in as a bonus, some subway vents for men's viewing pleasure

.

DizzyEdge · #**5849** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 5:39 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RicoLance21

I always thought the trench may be deep enough to build something on top of it. The whole section between Westbrook and 45th would then become a subway. Perhaps retail fronting the northern edge of the trench, a parking lane along the southern edge of the trench, and a sidewalk/dedicated bike lane on top of the trench wide enough for outdoor patios. To add in as a bonus, some subway vents for men's viewing pleasure

.

I mean it's probably possible to pre-fab concrete panels which you could hoist on top, I just can't see that ever getting budget approval. The best case scenario would likely be turning the parallel alley into a proper road and demolishing another strip of houses to create sort of a service road + retail.

kw5150 · #**5850** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 6:12 PM**

Sometimes these trenched sections can feel a bit like riding the peasant train.....I hope that Calgary continues to have above ground sections in future plans. We have a scenic city, we may as well show it off a bit from the train. At the same time I like the tunnel sections.......if they are not too long.

Chadillaccc · #**5851** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 6:43 PM**

lmao! The peasant train? Why does it feel like that?

kw5150 · #**5852** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 6:46 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chadillaccc

lmao! The peasant train? Why does it feel like that?

I dont know, just because the walls are stark and grey. Im not really complaining about them, just a tiny observation. I feel better when the train comes to the surface again and there is a view of something....thats all.

Overall the West LRT is a great line.

freeweed · #**5853** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 6:59 PM**

Agreed. I love the above ground views you get from the train. Obviously trenches/tunnels are sometimes necessary, but if I had my way I'd have the train elevated everywhere, just to show off the city.

Of course, elevated tracks lead to their own problems at ground level, but that's a different topic.

lubicon · #**5854** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 7:31 PM**

One issue I can see with trenching is the potential for flooding during our notorious thunder and hail storms in the summer. As long as drainage is sufficient to handle the runoff it would be manageable but if not..........

Just look the underpasses both here in Calgary and in Edmonton that flood almost on a yearly basis when we get a heavy downpour or hail storm.

DizzyEdge · #**5855** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 7:35 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by freeweed

Agreed. I love the above ground views you get from the train. Obviously trenches/tunnels are sometimes necessary, but if I had my way I'd have the train elevated everywhere, just to show off the city.

Of course, elevated tracks lead to their own problems at ground level, but that's a different topic.

Absolutely. In vancouver taking the train is fun just as a sight seeing ride. In Toronto and here, not so much (although I'd trade sight seeing for TO's awesome system)

kw5150 · #**5856** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 7:50 PM**

I would say the elevated section over sunalta/beltline makes up for any parts that are boring along the rest of the West LRT. You can really see the density that the beltline has from up there (and all of the traffic jams you are missing).

RicoLance21 · #**5857** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 9:06 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by lubicon

One issue I can see with trenching is the potential for flooding during our notorious thunder and hail storms in the summer. As long as drainage is sufficient to handle the runoff it would be manageable but if not..........

Just look the underpasses both here in Calgary and in Edmonton that flood almost on a yearly basis when we get a heavy downpour or hail storm.

Hopefully that won't be the case for the trench on Westbrook/45 section. The tracks are more or less level all the way through 45 st. station. The track then stays level westward while 17th drops until it is at grade with the tracks. It is so beautifully laid out. That's why I thought it would be perfect for the tunnel to start east from 45 st. station.

SubwayRev · #**5858** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 11:11 PM**

I was able to ride in the driver's cab on the opening last Saturday, and the driver said he feels like Luke Skywalker trying to blow up the Death Star, when he drives through the trenched section.

This is Red-5 standing by....

kw5150 · #**5859** Posted **Dec 17, 2012, 11:17 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SubwayRev

I was able to ride in the driver's cab on the opening last Saturday, and the driver said he feels like Luke Skywalker trying to blow up the Death Star, when he drives through the trenched section.

This is Red-5 standing by....

Yeah, that is what I mean. There is something odd about the trench. It is quite long and really not that exciting, unless you are the train operator...

Dado · #**5860** Posted **Dec 18, 2012, 12:47 AM**

Here in Ottawa we have a 3 km length of trench for the Transitway.

It's not all that pleasant a ride through there. You've got very little to look at and since there are also two stations in the trench it can take 4 or 5 minutes to cover the distance. In winter it tends to be unnecessarily gloomy on cloudy days.

Trenches beat tunnels, but forcing transit users below ground should only be used as a last resort. On balance we'd be better off trenching and tunnelling major roadways than rapid transit lines.