Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by dothediu

In regards to the bridge grade, it's needed to be steep because of clearance of ships going thru the Fraser River there. I am sure it meets the specifications as specified by Translink and Province, otherwise how do you quantify a "bad design"? Perhaps they could have started going on a slope sooner after Marine Drive Stn so it's not as steep? But it would mean taller guideway posts, which means more money...

I was thinking that they could've had the bridge perform go up a bit gradually with a gentle S-curve after the switches at Marine Drive to the north side of the river, then the bridge at regular height, then after it reaches the south side of the river, a sloped curve of a similar grade and then to the OMC and Bridgeport. I'll make a drawing later of what I mean if you find it difficult to visualize. If someone with an engineering background wants to comment on that idea, feel free.

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by dothediu

I think they do have a deicing train that sprays the power rail at night. But not when snow/ice builds up in revenue service.

SkyTrain has a glycol train that they run when it's icy to spray an anti-icing solution on the power rails. I don't know if Canada Line has anything similar.

[cganuelas1995]

Originally Posted by dpogue

SkyTrain has a glycol train that they run when it's icy to spray an anti-icing solution on the power rails. I don't know if Canada Line has anything similar.

I don't know why they couldn't run all trains and single-track over the bridge to address the issue with ice on the power rail.

[jollyburger]

Originally Posted by dpogue

SkyTrain has a glycol train that they run when it's icy to spray an anti-icing solution on the power rails. I don't know if Canada Line has anything similar.

They said they were using sanding and deicing the tracks. In 2014 they said three cars were setup for this.

[whatnext]

Thursday morning and it is just raining, yet the Canada Line is still closed from Bridgeport to YVR. What's the excuse now?

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by dothediu

In regards to the bridge grade, it's needed to be steep because of clearance of ships going thru the Fraser River there. I am sure it meets the specifications as specified by Translink and Province, otherwise how do you quantify a "bad design"? Perhaps they could have started going on a slope sooner after Marine Drive Stn so it's not as steep? But it would mean taller guideway posts, which means more money...

With a P3 contract, the contractor actually bares the risk of costs if there is overrun. It's a fixed cost contract. Anything over, the contractor pays. Just like the Evergreen tunnels issues that came up and being delayed, it was all extra cost to SNC. If you don't want P3, then they rack up the price like crazy, and guess who pays in the end? You, the taxpayer. You will just end up with more media saying Translink is bad at managing money and project, etc...

Indeed, I'm not really against P3, it was just that at the Canada Line, they only took short term factors in mind...

There are freight boats in the North Arm? I thought it was too narrow for large boats....

Originally Posted by whatnext

Thursday morning and it is just raining, yet the Canada Line is still closed from Bridgeport to YVR. What's the excuse now?

The snow became icy?

[TransitJack]

Seems like they made it through the snow yesterday but then got slammed when the the freezing rain started up.

Once the rain and falls on the power rail, freezes up to a thick level pretty quick, so doesn't just wipe off like snow does.

Definitely an area that needs some improvement/investment.

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by TransitJack

Seems like they made it through the snow yesterday but then got slammed when the the freezing rain started up.

Once the rain and falls on the power rail, freezes up to a thick level pretty quick, so doesn't just wipe off like snow does.

Definitely an area that needs some improvement/investment.

Even SkyTrain was having issues with ice buildup yesterday evening, despite running the glycol train through certain areas several times. You can try to stop the ice from building up, but once it does there isn't all that much you can do.

[MIPS]

Global still did a pretty nice job singling out the Canada Line from the rest of the system and indicating none of the other lines (much) difficulty.
Here's hoping this is ammunition for later system expansions to opt for ICTS instead of considering something similar from Rotem again.

[TransitJack]

Originally Posted by MIPS

Global still did a pretty nice job singling out the Canada Line from the rest of the system and indicating none of the other lines (much) difficulty.
Here's hoping this is ammunition for later system expansions to opt for ICTS instead of considering something similar from Rotem again.

I think it is already well understood that the next phases of automated rapid transit will be the Broadway ext and out to Langley, using the existing Skytrain tech.

[Mac Write]

After UBC and Langley extensions what's next?

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

After UBC and Langley extensions what's next?

If SkyTrain, there's planned B-Lines along 41st, Willingdon and Hastings, and to Maple Ridge and West Van - probably one of those.

My money's on a Willingdon line (possible extensions to North Van and the River District), with an SFU Gondola on the side.

[Mac Write]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

If SkyTrain, there's planned B-Lines along 41st, Willingdon and Hastings, and to Maple Ridge and West Van - probably one of those.

My money's on a Willingdon line (possible extensions to North Van and the River District), with an SFU Gondola on the side.

41st would be a relief line
How would willington connect to the current line without single tracking to put in a a few switches (remember in summer 2000 when they put in the outbound switch just outside the Columbia tunnel before the bridge?).

I personally want to see the Port Coquitlam extension, as it would be like 3 stops but would help out allot in bringing in more traffic (and I live here).

[Metro-One]

Well, after phase 1 of the Broadway Line and the Surrey LRT L-Line will be the SKYTRAIN extension to Langley (not going to let them screw that up)

After that will be phase 2 of the Broadway Line to UBC.

I have a feeling that his will take us to somewhere between 2030 and 2035.

After that I have my money on the short extension out to Port Coquitlam (this could maybe even be done at the same time Broadway Phase 2).

After that, is anyone's guess. Don't think there are any official plans or solid visions beyond this point. My guess is either a skytrain / subway line along Hastings or the Arbutus LRT.

[WarrenC12]

Originally Posted by Metro-One

Well, after phase 1 of the Broadway Line and the Surrey LRT L-Line will be the SKYTRAIN extension to Langley (not going to let them screw that up)

After that will be phase 2 of the Broadway Line to UBC.

I have a feeling that his will take us to somewhere between 2030 and 2035.

After that I have my money on the short extension out to Port Coquitlam (this could maybe even be done at the same time Broadway Phase 2).

After that, is anyone's guess. Don't think there are any official plans or solid visions beyond this point. My guess is either a skytrain / subway line along Hastings or the Arbutus LRT.

All good plans, but I think those put us to 2050 rather than 2035. By that point we should have fully autonomous vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and who knows what transit needs will be appropriate.

At any rate, with 2 rail technologies in place today (plus WCE), let's not jump to a 3rd any time soon.

[DKaz]

Is there something unique about Vancouver that makes it not suitable for traction rail based train systems like what's used almost everywhere on this continent? With some places with considerably more severe winters.

[officedweller]

Probably just depends on the gradient of the line as built.

It would be interesting to compare to the gradients of LRT systems in Seattle or Portland.

[Migrant_Coconut]

Originally Posted by Mac Write

How would willington connect to the current line without single tracking to put in a a few switches (remember in summer 2000 when they put in the outbound switch just outside the Columbia tunnel before the bridge?).

Nah, a completely new tunneled line (maybe some elevated segments). Like the Canada Line, but with Bombardier Mark IIIs. Though a PoCo extension needs to happen too.

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

All good plans, but I think those put us to 2050 rather than 2035. By that point we should have fully autonomous vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and who knows what transit needs will be appropriate.

At any rate, with 2 rail technologies in place today (plus WCE), let's not jump to a 3rd any time soon.

Whatever happens, we need to keep connecting the city via SkyTrain lines and semi-rapid feeder lines.

Could be LRT, could be BRT, could be anything... so long as it's not PRT, everything should work out fine.

[officedweller]

Seattle also had an issue back in January when heated pantographs melted adhesive on a carbon shoe:

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...ail-system-halted-jan-20-for-five-hours/

[twoNeurons]

Originally Posted by WarrenC12

All good plans, but I think those put us to 2050 rather than 2035. By that point we should have fully autonomous vehicles of all shapes and sizes, and who knows what transit needs will be appropriate.

At any rate, with 2 rail technologies in place today (plus WCE), let's not jump to a 3rd any time soon.

And flying cars. We'll have flying cars, don't forget.