11-01-2016, 02:04 PM
(11-01-2016, 01:42 PM)danbrotherston Wrote:(11-01-2016, 12:52 PM)dunkalunk Wrote: Running south of University Ave on King St would require the trains run in mixed traffic, which could mean delays caused by operating in mixed traffic. However, this section of King is likely to have high enough ridership to warrant a high-capacity service and mixed-traffic operation could be considered worthwhile.
West of the University of Waterloo, rapid transit corridors become less obvious. Columbia, Erb, and University are all candidates.
Why would it *have* to run mixed traffic, there are a multitude of other options, you could split and run one track down Regina, or both down Regina, you could close King to Vehicular traffic and run trains instead, or you could even narrow the sidewalks, take out the bike lanes and parking and squeeze them with car traffic.
These are all physically possible, but probably not politically possible today. But considering how far this in the future, who knows what the city will look like when a King St. phase is being considered, I don't think we should confine ourselves to the politics of today when imagining tomorrow.
King St Streetscape improvements between University and the ION tracks are set to begin construction after ION construction is complete. This will reduce King to one lane in each direction with centre-left turning provisions, wider sidewalks, and bike lanes. Political realities can change, but I can't see wide sidewalks and bike lanes being sacrificed for a dedicated right-of-way.
http://www.waterloo.ca/en/living/uptowns...vement.asp