The Great Canadian Transit Thread

[The Chemist]

Originally Posted by hipster duck

I'm not exactly an electrical engineer, but could it be because you can use AC with overhead but you're restricted to DC with a third rail?

AC motors have a lower power demand on start, so maybe they're useful in rapid transit systems where the train is starting up all the time.

At least in Shanghai, they're still using DC (1500V) even with overhead power, so it must be something else.

[TorontoDrew]

This is such a big deal for Hamilton and I don't think most Hamiltonians believe it will happen or care if it does. At least the ones I know. The strange thing is they all live in the city proper as well and will benefit the most. There does seem to be a lot of skepticism with City Hall getting anything done. A few of them also think all a streetcar will do is tie up traffic. Perhaps it's from my outsider point of view but having a streetcar running along your downtown core will go a long way to animating the area and help make Hamilton feel like a big city again.

Originally Posted by SteelTown

New Renderings Showcase Proposed Hamilton LRT in Action















http://skyrisecities.com/news/2016/06/new-renderings-showcase-proposed-hamilton-lrt-action

[nname]

Originally Posted by The Chemist

There are plenty of subways that use overhead power (many lines in China, for example), so there must be an advantage to doing so even if the tunnels are a bit larger.

Overhead power line allows

The use of AC power instead of DC =
eliminate the need for rectifier substation (reduce construction cost), but less power efficiency at same voltage (higher operating cost)

Allows higher voltage than 750V (or 1500V) =
with 750V power, the capacity limitation is around 60,000pphpd. Using higher voltage with overhead power can provide more reliability on system with very high capacity. Higher voltage also save energy cost.

Higher speed =
the technical limitation of third rail is about 160km/h. To go faster, overhead power must be used

But the overhead power system is more prone to failure and require more maintenance compared to third rail.

[swimmer_spe]

The Blue line in Boston uses both systems. They have to switch from one to the other. That causes the cars to go black at the switch over.

The SRT was supposed to use Streetcars. They switched to ICTS and look at how well it is now.

Sheppard really should stay a subway, and they should make the LRT a subway as well. This would make the current line relevant and seen as worth it.

[MalcolmTucker]

Originally Posted by swimmer_spe

The Blue line in Boston uses both systems. They have to switch from one to the other. That causes the cars to go black at the switch over.

The SRT was supposed to use Streetcars. They switched to ICTS and look at how well it is now.

Sheppard really should stay a subway, and they should make the LRT a subway as well. This would make the current line relevant and seen as worth it.

That is entirely good money after bad.

[swimmer_spe]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

That is entirely good money after bad.

So, its a good idea to waste money to convert it to an LRT with completely different technology and cars than the rest of the system?

As I see it, Use what you have to at least connect to Downsview. If the Sheppard East LRT is build as it is currently laid out, it will be like how the Bloor and SRT are. Is that a good idea? Is that money well spent?

[MalcolmTucker]

If you were to start from scratch would it be built as it was? No. Salvage what is possible and go from there. Probably a high floor LRT would do fine, with some rail moving so you wouldn't have to rebuild the platforms. Outside of the subway section you go underground or above selectively as the LRT was planned.

I get that people in Toronto don't seem to really 'get' LRT until they see it, but it might be time to drop the 100% grade seperated or bust attitude. Not every line needs to be built for 30,000 ppdph. The incremental step isn't St. Clair --> Subway. Hopefully Eglinton helps to change some attitudes when it opens.

[Horus]

GO service will be doubled to Kitchener very soon

http://www.therecord.com/news-story/6721969-go-train-service-expanding-in-kitchener

Go Train service expanding in Kitchener
Waterloo Region Record
By Record staff


KITCHENER — Go Train service between Waterloo Region and Toronto is expanding.

Two morning and two afternoon trains that currently run between Georgetown and Union Station will be extended to Kitchener, Premier Kathleen Wynne announced in Kitchener on Tuesday.

The new trips double Go Train service between Kitchener and Toronto.

The expansion is being made possible because of an agreement between transit agency Metrolinx and CN that will result in the construction of a new freight corridor between Georgetown and Bramalea. The new line will free up capacity for expanded Go Train service, the province said.

Wynne also announced that the province is committing up to $43 million to help the Region of Waterloo develop its planned transit hub at King and Victoria streets.

The hub will connect a number of transportation services, including the new light rail transit line, Grand River Transit, and Go Train and Via Rail service.

[Innsertnamehere]

Also in that announcement is that they are going to build the freight bypass - which is a massive project.

[caltrane74]

Kitchener is moving up in the world, very fast.

High tech Sector/ LRT/ High Speed Rail/RER....what else do you need?

Ontario's very own city of the future.

[TorontoDrew]

Originally Posted by caltrane74

Kitchener is moving up in the world, very fast.

High tech Sector/ LRT/ High Speed Rail/RER....what else do you need?

Ontario's very own city of the future.

The region will also be the testing Ground and the first in Canada to try out self driving cars.

[Hybrid247]

Have the tracks at King been grade separated for the LRT?

[LilZebra]

One lane each direction. That probably wouldn't fly in Winnipeg.

How is Hamilton keeping the car driver people at bay?

[kwoldtimer]

Originally Posted by Hybrid247

Have the tracks at King been grade separated for the LRT?

Yes, a new underpass is being built on King St at Victoria for the street and ION to pass under the railway tracks. And the railway bridge will be incorporated into the new multi-modal transit hub.

[nephersir7]

Renderings for Gare du Canal, the AMT's new station in Lachine.







Price tag: $10M

[eemy]

The freight bypass in this announcement doesn't seem very glamorous, but the CN portion of the Kitchener line between Bramalea and Georgetown was one of the largest, if not the largest, obstacle toward improved service in the corridor. Projects such as RER, HSR and electrification will be significantly more straightforward with this initiative.

[Marshal]

Transportation agencies must be worried about something to be spending so much on renderings.

[SteelTown]

Originally Posted by LilZebra

One lane each direction. That probably wouldn't fly in Winnipeg.

How is Hamilton keeping the car driver people at bay?

That's King St which is right next to Tim Hortons Field, hence the Ti Cats gamewear. That section of King is mostly local traffic. Most drivers take Cannon Street, which is one way traffic with three lanes. The other is Main St which is one way also and have five lanes. So there's plenty of space for drivers.

[WhipperSnapper]

Originally Posted by MalcolmTucker

I get that people in Toronto don't seem to really 'get' LRT until they see it, but it might be time to drop the 100% grade seperated or bust attitude. Not every line needs to be built for 30,000 ppdph. The incremental step isn't St. Clair --> Subway. Hopefully Eglinton helps to change some attitudes when it opens.

Huh? Torontonians definitely do not have the 100% grade separated or bust attitude and we are constantly reminded how wrong it is in this thread. There's no other place with as much community focused LRT transit in Canada. (built and proposed)

You can't go by Ford nation either. They tend to be non transit users and never will be. They don't want to share the road allowances. Whether subways get built or not is of no consequence to them.

[Coldrsx]

http://www.avenueedmonton.com/20150902-_MG_4552-Edit-Full.jpg