Metro Vancouver Transit Discussion

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by MIPS

I seem to remember there was a time they were shutting the intrusion system off any time we saw a skiff of snow. What changed to make them so hesitant now?

Staffing is the main issue. They need enough staff on shift to attend every train, plus some extras to swap off for bathroom and food breaks.

Control was pushing to get trains attended and the field supervisor was telling them to wait 20 minutes for the afternoon shift to start when they'd have the extra staff.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

are we not at a point yet where we can just get people watching screens from the control centre and turning off the intrusion alarms? really, are there not enough cameras to do this or what?

seems ridiculous that the system grinds to a halt in a little snow, and that every. single. train. needs someone on it.

might be time to look at these operating procedures and look for a better way to do it.

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by VancouverOfTheFuture

are we not at a point yet where we can just get people watching screens from the control centre and turning off the intrusion alarms? really, are there not enough cameras to do this or what?

seems ridiculous that the system grinds to a halt in a little snow, and that every. single. train. needs someone on it.

might be time to look at these operating procedures and look for a better way to do it.

They're in the process of upgrading the ATC cameras at all the Expo and Millennium Line stations, which should allow them a bit more flexibility. I believe Canada Line's operating procedures allow for calling the track clear via the use of cameras.

[ilikeredheads]

Originally Posted by MIPS

I seem to remember there was a time they were shutting the intrusion system off any time we saw a skiff of snow. What changed to make them so hesitant now?

No one wants to make the call to shut down the intrusion alarms because if some freak accident does happen eg: fallen tree or jumper, then somebody is going to get into a lot shit. Then you'll have the media screaming at Translink for negligence.

[MIPS]

To my knowledge it was standard procedure and known for years that all optical and laser based intrusion detection systems were shutdown during snow due to the system becoming utterly useless. I doubt they also turned off the pressure plate and fence intrusion systems.

freak accident does happen eg: fallen tree

Intrusion monitoring outside of stations is limited almost exclusively with few exceptions to fence mounted tension wires in case something drives onto the track at the grade-level areas. Fallen branches trees (and signposts) are historically something the system cannot detect.

As for jumpers, that's the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions' problem, not TransLink's.

[GeeCee]

Originally Posted by MIPS

As for jumpers, that's the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions' problem, not TransLink's.

It quite rapidly becomes TransLink's problem if a train hits someone, however.

[dpogue]

Originally Posted by ilikeredheads

No one wants to make the call to shut down the intrusion alarms because if some freak accident does happen eg: fallen tree or jumper, then somebody is going to get into a lot shit. Then you'll have the media screaming at Translink for negligence.

That is why when they disable the sensors, the current procedure requires them to have staff attending all the trains or standing on the platform.

[SpongeG]

lots of pics of spoiled people whining

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-waits-lineups-snowfall-feb-2019

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

lots of pics of spoiled people whining

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-waits-lineups-snowfall-feb-2019

well, in their defence, it is pretty pathetic that a relatively small bit of snow grinds everything to a halt and those platforms are dangerously packed right to the edges.

[Xrayal]

From the Mayors counsel meeting agenda on Feb 15 2019

This report identifies the need and opportunity to accelerate planned future investments

Management recommends delivering the remainder of the Vision improvements in two parts, and on an accelerated basis. Early work on the next investment plan, including identifying near-term needs and funding options, would be accelerated to occur in parallel to the Surrey-Langley SkyTrain project development work. These improvements would address immediate needs, for approval in an accelerated Investment Plan in mid-2020.

-bold emphasis added

So phase 3 of the vision will be devided into 3A and 3B. Which projects make it into which A or B parts can be speculated on. However with the federal election coming this October and the plan to have this all approved by mid 2020 it wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibilities that both Skytrain extensions (to Langley and UBC) could be included in the mid-2020 A package.

[Olden Retreiver]

Originally Posted by SpongeG

lots of pics of spoiled people whining

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/translink-waits-lineups-snowfall-feb-2019

Translink took a lot of criticism on social media yesterday, and it was just about all fully deserved. Not for the actual problems and delays, but for their pathetic communication. In the AM peak commute they sold us baloney like "slight service reductions" and "some delays - please be patient" instead of the more appropriate "serious delays and disruptions - stay away from Millenium Line if at all possible."

Be honest, and tell us like it is. There's nothing to be ashamed of when severe weather causes a mess once or twice a year. Just don't lie to us.

Then the big wigs wonder why there is no goodwill from a large segment of the travelling public.

[fredinno]

Originally Posted by Olden Retreiver

Translink took a lot of criticism on social media yesterday, and it was just about all fully deserved. Not for the actual problems and delays, but for their pathetic communication. In the AM peak commute they sold us baloney like "slight service reductions" and "some delays - please be patient" instead of the more appropriate "serious delays and disruptions - stay away from Millenium Line if at all possible."

Be honest, and tell us like it is. There's nothing to be ashamed of when severe weather causes a mess once or twice a year. Just don't lie to us.

Then the big wigs wonder why there is no goodwill from a large segment of the travelling public.

++++

[BCPhil]

Originally Posted by Olden Retreiver

Translink took a lot of criticism on social media yesterday, and it was just about all fully deserved. Not for the actual problems and delays, but for their pathetic communication. In the AM peak commute they sold us baloney like "slight service reductions" and "some delays - please be patient" instead of the more appropriate "serious delays and disruptions - stay away from Millenium Line if at all possible."

Be honest, and tell us like it is. There's nothing to be ashamed of when severe weather causes a mess once or twice a year. Just don't lie to us.

Then the big wigs wonder why there is no goodwill from a large segment of the travelling public.

I agree.

I was able to work from home on Monday, and avoided my Skytrain commute. But from reading Translink's twitter at first I felt maybe I should go in to work (there was something I wanted to do in the office). So when the forecast called for more today, I phoned it in again. But from reading reactions it seems like an alright day out there, even with the snow.

If Translink were more honest, then more people who could have would have just stayed home or altered their commutes, freeing up capacity.

I think this all boils down to how the rest of Canada makes us feel embarrassed when it snows here. So we try and act tough.

Yet, it's snowing in Toronto, and they are losing their shit and they expect 10-20cm. We got over 20cm in a lot of places, in half a day, and our snow comes down half wet thus freezing anything underneath it (which is terrible for train tracks and roads, and all our tracks and roads are on hills), yet we are the cry babies.

[Sheba]

Originally Posted by Olden Retreiver

Translink took a lot of criticism on social media yesterday, and it was just about all fully deserved. Not for the actual problems and delays, but for their pathetic communication.

TransLink has had pathetic communication for quite awhile now. Maybe if everyone who had to wait on a platform during the 'slight delays' sent them a complaint about misinformation then TransLink might do something about it. Bitching and moaning elsewhere online about it does nothing to solve the problem.

[Olden Retreiver]

Originally Posted by Sheba

TransLink has had pathetic communication for quite awhile now. Maybe if everyone who had to wait on a platform during the 'slight delays' sent them a complaint about misinformation then TransLink might do something about it. Bitching and moaning elsewhere online about it does nothing to solve the problem.

On behalf of my wife, I sent a detailed complaint to TransLink, basically the same content as my original reply above. She was the exact and perfect example of someone who would have worked from home on Monday if she had known the truth of the situation. She had her laptop home over the weekend and diligently looked up the TransLink Twitter and FaceBook announcements before deciding everything was running well enough she should go in to the office. Over an hour from Moody Centre to Production Way. With one eyeball pressed against the window of a sardine can, she was able to witness part of the gong show at Lougheed before having to push and elbow her way off at PW.

Yes, 12 thousand vitriolic comments directly to them might help, although it’s full common knowledge how badly they screwed up. Does the CEO get regular updates on this sort of thing, or would that interrupt tea time in the ivory tower?

[Dengler Avenue]

How about this? For now, snow day = work-from-home day until Translink fixes it. (Greater Toronto Area had a snow storm today so people that could work from home did so.)

[Meraki]

Originally Posted by Olden Retreiver

Yes, 12 thousand vitriolic comments directly to them might help, although it’s full common knowledge how badly they screwed up. Does the CEO get regular updates on this sort of thing, or would that interrupt tea time in the ivory tower?

Dunno. I sent a polite message that their communication on the website was bad, particularly that they left the "we're sanding bus loops" message as the most prominent message while all the SkyTrain delays were occuring.

There were 50 buses stuck on Granville going nowhere this evening for hours and all they said is "50 minute delays."

I personally know not to believe their communications and check for myself, but as I walked home there were many others who were standing there hoping a bus would come thinking it's just delayed, not that nothing is moving.

[Migrant_Coconut]

B-Line improvements for 41st and Arbutus are up.


(DailyHive, unfortunately)

For anybody who doesn't like to read sideways:

A) Introduce an eastbound left-turn bay.
Why? To improve traffic flow and reduce short-cutting through nearby local streets. It should also reduce chances for conflicts with pedestrians.

B) Remove 1-3 parking stalls and relocate loading zone.
Why? To make space for a new eastbound left-turn lane on 41s t Avenue. More short-term parking can be provided in the nearby EasyPark lot on East Boulevard if necessary.

C) Explore opportunities to fix and repair crosswalks.
Why? To reduce tripping hazards for pedestrians, particularly those with mobility devices and strollers.

D) Remove the traffic signal and crosswalk at East Boulevard and provide a centralized greenway crossing.
Why? To make the crossing of the greenway safer for people walking and cycling by reducing the north-south pedestrian crossing distance at East Boulevard and reducing the chances of conflict at the crosswalks with vehicles turning left. However, pedestrians walking to/fom the major origins/destinations east of East Boulevard will need to walk further to cross 41st Avenue.

E) Reassign the eastbound curb lane to a right turn lane and a transit lane (from West Boulevard to the eastbound bus stop).
Why? To help prevent through-moving vehicles from getting stuck behind right-turning vehicles which improves traffic flow. The transit lane helps buses travel through the area more reliably.

F) Reassign the westbound curb lane to a right-turn lane and lengthen the existing westbound left-turn bay.
Why? To help prevent through-moving vehicles from getting stuck behind left- or right-turning vehicles which improves traffic.

G) Restrict vehicle movement to right-in/right-out.
Why? To simplify the intersection and lead to fewer vehicle movements. This change also prevents westbound left-turning vehicles who are turning onto East Boulevard from blocking westbound left-turning vehicles who are turning onto West Boulevard.

H) Restrict vehicle movement to right-in only from 41st Avenue and convert East Boulevard to one-way northbound from 41st Avenue to the lane north of 41st Avenue.
Why? To simplify the intersection and lead to fewer vehicle movements, some of which are difficult in the existing condition. These changes will also prevent southbound vehicles on East Boulevard, north of 41st Avenue, from conflicting with westbound vehicles on 41st Avenue. A future programmable public space also becomes available.

I) Relocate eastbound bus stop to far side of East Boulevard and westbound bus stop to near side of East Boulevard.
Why? Avoids the buses getting stuck behind right-turning vehicles and vice versa. Also, provides more street space for waiting transit passengers, and pedestrians walking by.

J) Remove 7-8 parking stalls from the north side of 41st Avenue and 8-9 parking stalls from the south side of 41st Avenue.
Why? To make space for the new bus stops. More short-term parking can be provided in the nearby EasyPark lot on East Boulevard if necessary.

K) Turn Maple Street into a fully signalized intersection.
Why? Upgrading to a fully signalized intersection will improve vehicle access to businesses south of 41st Avenue and to the lane north of 41st Avenue.

All in all, looks like a solid deal.

[VancouverOfTheFuture]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

B-Line improvements for 41st and Arbutus are up.


(DailyHive, unfortunately)

K) Turn Maple Street into a fully signalized intersection.
Why? Upgrading to a fully signalized intersection will improve vehicle access to businesses south of 41st Avenue and to the lane north of 41st Avenue.
All in a

i disagree with K unless they can sync to Arbutus & 41st properly. otherwise, though, it seems not to shabby. i wonder about the bus getting around that sidewalk at H from that new right turn only onto E Blvd. it looks like it would have to pull out into 2 lanes in a fairly short distance.

[Millennium2002]

I'm not sure how I feel about those improvements. As VancouverOfTheFuture pointed out, the westbound B-Line stop is oddly placed and forces buses to cross a few lanes. And besides that, West 41st Avenue has so little room in that area that adding turn lanes might not really alleviate all the congestion.

Here are my suggestions to the CoV proposal:



Basically the idea is to shift the left turn movement from eastbound W 41st Ave to northbound West Blvd to W 42nd Ave, as well as a dedicated pullout bay for the westbound B-Line stop. It costs somewhat more, but I think it'll be worth the trouble for this problem spot.