Calgary Public Transit II

[YYCguys]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

There is space for LRT, but it is further out than the green line in RouteAhead.

Putting the tracks in would be quite the scope addition...especially to do completely without any public knowledge.

Well that's what I thought. I've been following along on this forum for years and I think I would have known something if there was something to know. I knew her information was probably faulty, and not sure why she was so adamant about it's authenticity.

[Stang]

Tuscany LRT to open August 23rd. Confirmed by councillor Ward Sutherland via Twitter. He gave a link to the Rocky Ridge/Royal Oak Community Facebook page, where there are some details : https://www.facebook.com/rrroca.org

Basically an official opening on Saturday, August 23rd and regular revenue service beginning on the following Monday, the 25th.

[horrorshow]

Originally Posted by YYCguys

Well that's what I thought. I've been following along on this forum for years and I think I would have known something if there was something to know. I knew her information was probably faulty, and not sure why she was so adamant about it's authenticity.

This could be true although I don't think 2015 is accurate. There is an allowance built into new plans for a line going to the airport. My understanding is that this line will connect (or be a continuation of) to the 96 Ave NE LRT stop.

My guess is that will be a spur line of some sort in the form of a driverless/monorail type thing.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by horrorshow

This could be true although I don't think 2015 is accurate. There is an allowance built into new plans for a line going to the airport. My understanding is that this line will connect (or be a continuation of) to the 96 Ave NE LRT stop.

My guess is that will be a spur line of some sort in the form of a driverless/monorail type thing.

This line is part of the RouteAhead plan, while I think having a single vehicle ride to DT would be optimal, since the airport won't really be on the way to anywhere, the driverless idea that you presented with a drop off at either the NE or NC LRT (or both) would likely be the only viable alternative.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

This line is part of the RouteAhead plan, while I think having a single vehicle ride to DT would be optimal, since the airport won't really be on the way to anywhere, the driverless idea that you presented with a drop off at either the NE or NC LRT (or both) would likely be the only viable alternative.

And likely cheaper, better, faster, and future proofed for the deeper NE. And I am saying this as someone who would have a one seat ride within 2 blocks of my place if it was built.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

And likely cheaper, better, faster, and future proofed for the deeper NE. And I am saying this as someone who would have a one seat ride within 2 blocks of my place if it was built.

Can you elaborate on the first sentence a bit, not sure I understand what you're getting at.

[MalcolmTucker]

A spur line LRT means servicing the airport with far longer and likely far heavier trains than the airport needs compared to a dedicated rail link that requires a transfer. Without a spur, full frequency of LRT operations is still enjoyed north of Airport Trail.

Average trip time (including waiting time) would likely be better as well with a transfer since you have higher frequency serving downtown. All you need is waiting time for the transfer to average the current frequency of the NE LRT and you are equal for trip time compared to a spur (assuming an unlikely 50/50 split between airport and the deeper NE). A small automated people mover should be able to do much better than that.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

A spur line LRT means servicing the airport with far longer and likely far heavier trains than the airport needs compared to a dedicated rail link that requires a transfer. Without a spur, full frequency of LRT operations is still enjoyed north of Airport Trail.

Average trip time (including waiting time) would likely be better as well with a transfer since you have higher frequency serving downtown. All you need is waiting time for the transfer to average the current frequency of the NE LRT and you are equal for trip time compared to a spur (assuming an unlikely 50/50 split between airport and the deeper NE). A small automated people mover should be able to do much better than that.

Ah got it, wasn't sure on the deeper NE part, but that makes sense.

[DoubleK]

Originally Posted by horrorshow

My guess is that will be a spur line of some sort in the form of a driverless/monorail type thing.

Is there anyway to do this with a single track, with creative use of 'sidings' (not sure what they are called in LRT speak) to allow for travel in both directions?

In terms of capital cost how much is the civil works as a percentage? For clarity, by civil I mean track/ballast/grading/bridge structures.

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Is there anyway to do this with a single track, with creative use of 'sidings' (not sure what they are called in LRT speak) to allow for travel in both directions?

In terms of capital cost how much is the civil works as a percentage? For clarity, by civil I mean track/ballast/grading/bridge structures.

I'm sure you could do it where the elevated portions (over interchanges and the like) would be single track and an on ground portions would be double. That said, depending on the space between the dual track section would determine the frequency and would need to be spaced fairly evenly through the route.

[DizzyEdge]

I know car2go isn't exactly "public transit" but I believe articles about it have been posted in this forum before

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1094780...-intersections-in-the-next-month-or-two/


Calgary to test designated Car2Go parking spots near city intersections in the ‘next month or two’

Compact Car2Go automobiles will soon have their own designated rest spots in close proximity to downtown intersections, says the city’s parking boss.

Troy McLeod, general manager of the Calgary Parking Authority, said he believes a pilot project will launch in the “next month or two” that would grant the popular car-sharing program its own spaces in the seven-to-eight metre buffer between an intersection and the first designated parking stall for general public use.

McLeod said the cars are all uniform size and the city could conceivably add eight spaces per intersection for a total of 450 in the downtown core.

The long-term goal, he said, would be to have all Car2Go vehicles parked in the compact stalls, leaving all other spaces for general use.

.. more at http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1094780...-intersections-in-the-next-month-or-two/


So I guess there's some blowback from so many downtown on-street spots being filled with car2gos?

[Full Mountain]

Originally Posted by DizzyEdge

I know car2go isn't exactly "public transit" but I believe articles about it have been posted in this forum before

http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1094780...-intersections-in-the-next-month-or-two/


Calgary to test designated Car2Go parking spots near city intersections in the ‘next month or two’

Compact Car2Go automobiles will soon have their own designated rest spots in close proximity to downtown intersections, says the city’s parking boss.

Troy McLeod, general manager of the Calgary Parking Authority, said he believes a pilot project will launch in the “next month or two” that would grant the popular car-sharing program its own spaces in the seven-to-eight metre buffer between an intersection and the first designated parking stall for general public use.

McLeod said the cars are all uniform size and the city could conceivably add eight spaces per intersection for a total of 450 in the downtown core.

The long-term goal, he said, would be to have all Car2Go vehicles parked in the compact stalls, leaving all other spaces for general use.

.. more at http://metronews.ca/news/calgary/1094780...-intersections-in-the-next-month-or-two/


So I guess there's some blowback from so many downtown on-street spots being filled with car2gos?

I can imagine there would have been given how many times you see most of the spots on a block taken by Car2Go's downtown, 8th Ave between 3rd and 4th is often this way.

[freeweed]

Originally Posted by Stang

Tuscany LRT to open August 23rd. Confirmed by councillor Ward Sutherland via Twitter. He gave a link to the Rocky Ridge/Royal Oak Community Facebook page, where there are some details : https://www.facebook.com/rrroca.org

Basically an official opening on Saturday, August 23rd and regular revenue service beginning on the following Monday, the 25th.

This is fantastic, and is early in my books. I had figured October at the earliest, likely November (given the "Fall 2014" dates thrown about before). Nice to see a project be ahead of the game for a change.

Also, Crowchild westbound is FINALLY 3 lanes after Stoney, and 80km/h as well. For the first time in my entire 10 years in Calgary, Crowchild is entirely DONE - for the parts that I drive. This probably could have been done months ago (all they did was remove some pylons and paint lines, the LRT work finished eons ago) but better late than never. Super thrilled to finally see it completed.

My only complaint is that I don't work downtown as often as I used to, but at least the wife gets to use the new station. And she hates escalators anyway so she's looking forward to it.

[DizzyEdge]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

I can imagine there would have been given how many times you see most of the spots on a block taken by Car2Go's downtown, 8th Ave between 3rd and 4th is often this way.

The plus side of this is it should leave more car2gos in the rest of the innercity during the day.

[lubicon]

Originally Posted by freeweed

This is fantastic, and is early in my books. I had figured October at the earliest, likely November (given the "Fall 2014" dates thrown about before). Nice to see a project be ahead of the game for a change.
Also, Crowchild westbound is FINALLY 3 lanes after Stoney, and 80km/h as well. For the first time in my entire 10 years in Calgary, Crowchild is entirely DONE - for the parts that I drive. This probably could have been done months ago (all they did was remove some pylons and paint lines, the LRT work finished eons ago) but better late than never. Super thrilled to finally see it completed.

My only complaint is that I don't work downtown as often as I used to, but at least the wife gets to use the new station. And she hates escalators anyway so she's looking forward to it.

Holy 🞵🞵🞵🞵. Crowchild will be so weird not to have construction on it anymore. There has literally been an entire generation of drivers who have grown up knowing nothing but construction zones on this road. It might be a hard habit to break (60km/h that is).

And I agree it is pleasant to see the station will be opening earlier that most of us had thought. Like you, I have just grown to accept that when the City says Fall '2014' it means December 19. I'm not sure I would say the project is being completed ahead of the game given that it was originally supposed to have opened in 2012 before the Province cut some funding. But nonetheless it is very welcome news. Now we can look forward to the bitching from residents who live near the station and will complain about the increased traffic and the on street parking that may infest their neighborhood. The City has already been informing people about their options when it comes to residential parking restrictions in the area if they are interested in the idea.

[The Chemist]

I really like the new 23xx series of LRVs they've got running now. The metro style seating makes for a lot more standing room, which is good for capacity. The digital display boards inside the trains are also really useful.

A couple of times I've almost forgotten that I have to push the buttons to open the doors, though - I'm used to doors that open automatically.

As far as Tuscany station is concerned - I'm surprised it's not open already. It sure looked finished when I drove past it on Crowchild this week.

[CTrainDude]

Originally Posted by The Chemist

As far as Tuscany station is concerned - I'm surprised it's not open already. It sure looked finished when I drove past it on Crowchild this week.

The station probably could open - it's just the pesky problem of people not being able to get to it or park there

[sim]

Originally Posted by DoubleK

Is there anyway to do this with a single track, with creative use of 'sidings' (not sure what they are called in LRT speak) to allow for travel in both directions?

In terms of capital cost how much is the civil works as a percentage? For clarity, by civil I mean track/ballast/grading/bridge structures.

You wouldn't do this with a Monorail. One of the big disadvantages is the complexity of switches, therefore turnouts on monorails. That and their track essentially requires them to be elevated anyway, so if working in a constrained right of way you might as well just go dual track with a monorail.

In general you single track where there are space constraints. Off the top of my head, I believe Dresden has a lot of this in their Tram network. Helsinki has a bit.

Driverless operations basically necessitate that the right of way be fully separated, so again, you likely aren't saving anything if you choose to go that route.

Funiculars often single track and have turnouts to pass one another, as them both being cable driven they necessarily meet each other at the same place all the time.

[TallisRH]

I took some photos of the construction at Tuscany Station last week: https://www.flickr.com/photos/93422729@N05/sets/72157633031730680/

(most recent photos are at the bottom)

[MasterG]

Originally Posted by Full Mountain

I can imagine there would have been given how many times you see most of the spots on a block taken by Car2Go's downtown, 8th Ave between 3rd and 4th is often this way.

It would be a ridiculous idea to reduce the usage of car2gos in the core by limiting their parking to designated areas. They are using up a public resource (space) at 2x or greater efficiency than the users on average: both due to their small size being 50% smaller than the average car and the fact that many, many more times per day they are moved, freeing up the space.

This would be a backwards step to punish efficiency if they become restricted to smaller areas.

This city really struggles with the idea that car usage downtown will one-day be a unimportant slice of the transportation picture. It's plain economics; a densifying and intensifying land use in the core coupled with lack of road expansion breeds efficiency. This will happen as it has for years now. People should start acting like only 35% of trips are by auto in the core. And shrinking.