Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by Millennium2002

On the switching part, Vancouver doesn't quite work like this. IIRC we use an older switching system that trips when the bus draws more current.

Those types of switches are typically used for situations where the bus can't be turning when the poles go over the switch. For example, ahead of a left turn lane where the bus must go through the switch well before the intersection.

The other type of switch is called a "Selectric" switch and it's used at corners where the trolley will cross the switch in the middle of a turn (if it's turning). The contactors ahead of the switch are staggered, and the switch will only activate if the trolley is at a substantial turn angle so that both poles cross the contactors at the same time. See this Wikipedia article.

[officedweller]

Of interest:

https://www.utoronto.ca/news/transit-exp...cognize-transportation-business-not-just

[Express691]

Just in:

Announcement on the 10 year investment plan to be live streamed on Facebook at 10:30am.

EDIT:
Imstagram story reveals that consultation for Broadway Extension and Surrey LRT are going to start January 24.

[CanSpice]

Originally Posted by Express691

Just in:

Announcement on the 10 year investment plan to be live streamed on Facebook at 10:30am.

EDIT:
Imstagram story reveals that consultation for Broadway Extension and Surrey LRT are going to start January 24.

The pictures on this tweet show that the Surrey LRT is only talking about the King George / 104 Avenue "L" LRT. The Surrey-to-Langley line doesn't mention LRT, which gives me hope that SkyTrain is still on the table for that phase.

[jacobparry]

Anyone notice anything new in the TransLink Strategy Phase 1? I see some goodies promised by the Yes campaign in the referendum (B-line from Richmond to Metrotown), but not a whole lot else.

edit: so far I've spotted B-Lines on 41st Ave, Hastings, Fraser Hwy in Surrey and Marine Drive (from Dundarave to Phibbs) on the North Shore
by 2019, and in terms of capital projects from 2017-2018: a $61-million Burrard Stn upgrades and $168-million on new SkyTrain/Canada Line cars.

[nickbeaulieu]

The LRT is such an idiotic choice. :/ hopefully the line out to langley is skytrain. Since it's just one straight run it would be nice if it's just an continuation of the expo line.

Originally Posted by CanSpice

The pictures on this tweet show that the Surrey LRT is only talking about the King George / 104 Avenue "L" LRT. The Surrey-to-Langley line doesn't mention LRT, which gives me hope that SkyTrain is still on the table for that phase.

[Metro-One]

Skytrain is still on the table. I believe currently the province and Langley both prefer Skytrain for the line out to Langley.

Again, everyone should just let the L line go, give Surrey their bone, but focus all energy on ensuring that the Langley extension is built as Skytrain (Expo Line). LRT to Langley makes no sense at all.

[urbancanadian]

I'm not completely opposed to LRT along the Surrey "L-line". My biggest concern is that we will end up essentially with a streetcar line, and not a proper LRT. In other words, I think we will be getting a system that is 100% at-grade, instead of a mix of over/underpasses where needed.

I think grade-separation will be needed at major crossings such as along King George at Fraser Highway, 96 Ave, 88 Ave and 72 Ave. The Surrey Central section will also be very slow if there isn't some significant separation through that area.

I'll post some maps of what I'm thinking when I get a chance...

[ilikeredheads]

Originally Posted by urbancanadian

I'm not completely opposed to LRT along the Surrey "L-line". My biggest concern is that we will end up essentially with a streetcar line, and not a proper LRT. In other words, I think we will be getting a system that is 100% at-grade, instead of a mix of over/underpasses where needed.

I think grade-separation will be needed at major crossings such as along King George at Fraser Highway, 96 Ave, 88 Ave and 72 Ave. The Surrey Central section will also be very slow if there isn't some significant separation through that area.

I'll post some maps of what I'm thinking when I get a chance...

that's exactly what Surrey is proposing: a glorified streetcar/tram that's rebranded as a LRT. It might have its own lane, but at the cost of existing road space so 104th will be down to 1 lane each way. There's no room to build overpass/underpass at all those intersections. Plus it'll drive the cost even higher.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by ilikeredheads

that's exactly what Surrey is proposing: a glorified streetcar/tram that's rebranded as a LRT. It might have its own lane, but at the cost of existing road space so 104th will be down to 1 lane each way. There's no room to build overpass/underpass at all those intersections. Plus it'll drive the cost even higher.

Quite honestly, TransLink should get their thumbs out of their asses and at least put traffic light priority on their B-Line attempt at bus rapid transit. Bus routes run with articulated buses, limited stops, and 5 minute frequencies is hardly trying.

[aberdeen5698]

Originally Posted by jacobparry

...so far I've spotted B-Lines on 41st Ave...

Oh wow, that's great. Right now I only get express service during rush hours when the #43 UBC B-Line is running.

I wonder if the #41 B-Line will replace the #43? Seems likely.

[Bdawe]

Originally Posted by cganuelas1995

Quite honestly, TransLink should get their thumbs out of their asses and at least put traffic light priority on their B-Line attempt at bus rapid transit. Bus routes run with articulated buses, limited stops, and 5 minute frequencies is hardly trying.

There's a few things - firstly, signal priority requires lower frequencies to work properly - cross traffic needs time to cross. And that cross traffic includes a not-insignificant number of Buses 20, 22, 8, 19, 3, 15, 17, 10, 16, 2, 7 & 4, and it's not unlikely to be the case that delaying those buses would cost translink more than delaying the packed-to-the-rafters 99 does

[ilikeredheads]

http://tenyearvision.translink.ca/phase-one/

there's 2 pdfs (one summary and the other is the full one) if you want to take a look.

skytrain and seabus improvemnts are already in effect since yesterday. Page 67 of the full pdf also includes a list of planned improvements to select bus routes.

[GlassCity]

As much as I dislike LRT, Surrey is not proposing a "glorified streetcar," it's proposing a bonafide LRT. The only difference between LRT and streetcars is that LRT's make fewer stops and travel in their own lane. That's it. So not having grade separation at major intersections does not make it less of an LRT. In fact, it's exactly what a typical LRT system would look like.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by aberdeen5698

Oh wow, that's great. Right now I only get express service during rush hours when the #43 UBC B-Line is running.

I wonder if the #41 B-Line will replace the #43? Seems likely.

They've previously mentioned somewhere that yes, it will replace the 43. In practice, that just means the 43 would run all day under a different name. They're also likely to remove the Carnarvon Street stop too.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by ilikeredheads

http://tenyearvision.translink.ca/phase-one/

there's 2 pdfs (one summary and the other is the full one) if you want to take a look.

A couple things I've spotted so far:

* Update the 2011 assessment of a future high-capacity transit connection between SkyTrain and Burnaby Mountain campus. (pg 24)

* Undertake a major field study on coordinated bridge and road tolling options that improve on the existing system of uncoordinated bridge tolls. (pg 28)

* This Plan proposes the establishment of a new region-wide development fee to fund transit and transportation investments. The development fee would take the form of a Development Cost Charge (DCC) (pg 43)

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

As much as I dislike LRT, Surrey is not proposing a "glorified streetcar," it's proposing a bonafide LRT. The only difference between LRT and streetcars is that LRT's make fewer stops and travel in their own lane. That's it. So not having grade separation at major intersections does not make it less of an LRT. In fact, it's exactly what a typical LRT system would look like.

The Surrey LRT plan does not have it travel in it's own lane - it's in shared center lanes. If they've changed that show me where.

[GlassCity]

Originally Posted by Sheba

The Surrey LRT plan does not have it travel in it's own lane - it's in shared center lanes. If they've changed that show me where.

They've never changed it, because it was always intended to travel in exclusive lanes in the centre of the road. The only exception was that it was to travel in shared lanes through Green Timbers Park along Fraser Highway in order to avoid having to widen it. Really not sure where you heard that it would be running in shared lanes. I'd love for you to show me anywhere it says that. A couple sources include:

The LRT Page on Surrey's website:
"LRT will run along 104 Avenue, King George, and Fraser Highway, in its own dedicated lane in the centre of the road separate from traffic"
http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/19185.aspx

YouTube video from 5 years ago clearly highlighting exclusive lanes in the centre of the road:
• Video Link

They had more detailed design in the Surrey Rapid Transit Study Design Guide, but that document seems to have been taken down from TransLink's website. I'm trying to find a cached copy now, but for now, the two examples above clearly show that as flawed as Surrey's LRT plans are, you really can't call it a glorified streetcar. It is legit LRT. The issue is that LRT sucks.

[Metro-One]

Wow, the shared portion through the park makes the Langley LRT extension idea look that much worse... Seriously, it is a 16 km journey from King Edward to Langley.

[Bdawe]

Originally Posted by GlassCity

They've never changed it, because it was always intended to travel in exclusive lanes in the centre of the road. The only exception was that it was to travel in shared lanes through Green Timbers Park along Fraser Highway in order to avoid having to widen it. Really not sure where you heard that it would be running in shared lanes. I'd love for you to show me anywhere it says that. A couple sources include:

The LRT Page on Surrey's website:
"LRT will run along 104 Avenue, King George, and Fraser Highway, in its own dedicated lane in the centre of the road separate from traffic"
http://www.surrey.ca/city-services/19185.aspx

YouTube video from 5 years ago clearly highlighting exclusive lanes in the centre of the road:
• Video Link

They had more detailed design in the Surrey Rapid Transit Study Design Guide, but that document seems to have been taken down from TransLink's website. I'm trying to find a cached copy now, but for now, the two examples above clearly show that as flawed as Surrey's LRT plans are, you really can't call it a glorified streetcar. It is legit LRT. The issue is that LRT sucks.

Wait, is running in a shared lane in Green Timbers still a thing?