SkyTrain Station Renovations

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

There are waits on the Expo line too. Even during rush hour I've waited up to 5 minutes for a train. At night combined service is 5 minutes, so at times when you have that 10 minute wait for the train it would be nice to know (it's like enough time to get a coffee or something).

In Portland, they have live departure times on Google maps. I believe Translink implements the same GTFS-realtime open API, but the functionality is missing on Google maps.

I stand corrected, the functionality is on Google maps, for buses. If you click on a bus stop, it will show you live departure times for most buses (the same info that shows on m.translink.ca).

On Tuesday I'm going to have to check to see how accurate the schedule is for Skytrain. Do they try to stick to the schedule, or is it just a rough guide for when they would like trains. If a train is delayed, do they try to get back on schedule, or do the other trains just stick to the headway interval times?

[trofirhen]

5 minutes at rush hour is indeed a long wait. Are there any lines where the trains are more frequent?
And does anyone know the maximum frequency achievable on the Skytrain system? Thank you.

[deasine]

Originally Posted by trofirhen

5 minutes at rush hour is indeed a long wait. Are there any lines where the trains are more frequent?
And does anyone know the maximum frequency achievable on the Skytrain system? Thank you.

1. Normally trains do not operate every 5 minutes during rush hour. It is much closer to 1-3 depending on which line.
2. Combined Service of Expo Line (from Waterfront to Commercial-Broadway), especially with the Train2Main shuttle running right now
3. ~90 seconds sustained average frequency; it could *technically* run at an even higher frequency, though this assumes people won't be holding onto doors, causing delays, etc.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by BCPhil

If a train is delayed, do they try to get back on schedule, or do the other trains just stick to the headway interval times?

The big question: for a transit service that has 3-minute headways, if all the trains are 3 minutes late does anyone really care?

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

The big question: for a transit service that has 3-minute headways, if all the trains are 3 minutes late does anyone really care?

There is a schedule for every train defined in the computer system, and it will try to keep trains as close to that schedule as possible (longer dwells if trains are ahead of schedule, shorter dwells if they're running behind). The system will show the control operators which trains are behind schedule and by how much.

The schedule can be adjusted, but that affects other things. Trains to be taken out of service after rush hour are calculated by the schedule for proper spacing of trains. There are also things like unexpected maintenance requests, people holding doors open, and track closures that can make scheduling an act of wishful thinking.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by dpogue

There is a schedule for every train defined in the computer system, and it will try to keep trains as close to that schedule as possible (longer dwells if trains are ahead of schedule, shorter dwells if they're running behind). The system will show the control operators which trains are behind schedule and by how much.

Can trains be made to "catch up" by increasing their speed?

I've noticed trains getting jammed up a lot in the last month or so, mostly around rush hour in Vancouver. I suspect some of this is due to the "train2main".

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by dpogue

There is a schedule for every train defined in the computer system, and it will try to keep trains as close to that schedule as possible (longer dwells if trains are ahead of schedule, shorter dwells if they're running behind).

But the question was one of schedule information for passengers. If trains come every 3 minutes, why would they care if the train pulling into the station right now was actually supposed to have arrived 3 minutes ago?

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

Can trains be made to "catch up" by increasing their speed?

Probably up to a certain amount. Those sorts of adjustments are made automatically by the computer system, but it won't exceed things like minimum dwell or speed restrictions.

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

I've noticed trains getting jammed up a lot in the last month or so, mostly around rush hour in Vancouver. I suspect some of this is due to the "train2main".

Yes, TransLink has said that trains are getting backed up due to Train2Main interlining. It happens to a lesser extent even during normal service though. It's probably partly due to the switching just past Waterfront: a train can't leave the inbound platform until the train ahead of it has fully crossed the switch to the outbound.

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

But the question was one of schedule information for passengers. If trains come every 3 minutes, why would they care if the train pulling into the station right now was actually supposed to have arrived 3 minutes ago?

I don't think the passenger schedules for SkyTrain are real-time, so aside from first/last trains it's probably just estimations based on intended frequency.

I asked on Twitter once about real-time info for trains, and was told that it couldn't be provided in the same way as buses (due to security concerns with accessing their control system), but they were planning to add next train arrival times to the LED platform signs.

[Mac Write]

I know the "Skytrain staff" have access to realtime train info, but it's in the form of a mimic board (train number, location). I remember this when I was asking hone a 300 series was coming in and he pulled it up on his phone. So cool. I couldn't see his phone but he told me.

[amor de cosmos]

May 18, 2014, 8:00 am
Main Street-Science World’s new east stationhouse opens today



The new east stationhouse at Main Street-Science World opens today and the west stationhouse will close for construction.

This means customers that plan to take the Train2Main from Main Street-Science World Station will now have to access the station from the east stationhouse. The west stationhouse will remain closed until construction at the station is complete in early 2015.

The new east stationhouse will include new stairs, an up-escalator and a new elevator.

http://buzzer.translink.ca/2014/05/main-street-science-worlds-new-east-stationhouse-opens-today/

[MIPS]

Probably up to a certain amount. Those sorts of adjustments are made automatically by the computer system, but it won't exceed things like minimum dwell or speed restrictions.

I can confirm that the computer will maintain trains to the schedule. If a train has fallen behind it will dwell for slightly less and accelerate harder and if it is ahead of schedule it will dwell longer in stations. It's been integrated with the system since it opened.

[SFUVancouver]

I was out and about enjoying the day and thought I would take the Train2Main and check out the new station house.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.


My photo, taken May 18, 2014.

[Metro-One]

Nice photos, thanks! It looks great...but how long until some delinquent acid etches those new windows?????

[GeeCee]

Wow, that's pretty fantastic especially considering what was there before!

[Mac Write]

The elevator is very small. they should have had it edge to edge with a big middle door. That would help capacity issues, instead of people having to wait. 2 wheelchairs will fill the new elevator.

[Stanford85]

Looks pretty nice. you can see all the new green "running man" exit signs all through the station too

[deasine]

Originally Posted by Stanford85

Looks pretty nice. you can see all the new green "running man" exit signs all through the station too

I believe that's the new standard for indicating emergency exits now.

[Jebby]

Originally Posted by deasine

I believe that's the new standard for indicating emergency exits now.

Looks like the standardised symbol used in Europe and other parts of the world for years now. I think there's an ISO standard for them.

[spm2013]

To harmonize with existing international standards (ISO 7010 and ISO 3864-1), the National Building Code of Canada (NBC) released at the end of 2010 introduces a major change to emergency lighting signage. The new NBC replaces the traditional EXIT, SORTIE legend using letters and chevrons with a Pictogram (the running man) and, when needed, a large directional arrow.

Credit: http://www.tnb.ca/en/brands/emergi-lite/files/EL-EN_RM_Catalogue.pdf

Can't wait for the news article from Quebec complaining about the loss of Sortie on signs.

[Genauso]

Thanks for your pictures today SFUVancouver. These ones look like the artistic renderings architects use in their proposals.