02-08-2016, 10:30 AM
This is a good example of how we get into some of these technology and mode arguments. 
Catenary free systems are a young technology and when I look at them, my gut reaction is that I'm glad this region didn't try to be so innovative. But that isn't to say I don't think they're cool! The recent French catenary-to-ground-power switchover video I saw (was it posted here?) was a cool example of how to use the technology to reduce clutter in a confined downtown. But while Canard is frustrated at things like this getting "stuck" I'm happy we didn't touch them.
Why? I'm familiar with the challenges and obstacles of change, and despite our local reputation for innovation, I think we (on WRC) sometimes forget that this is a fairly small north american city without a rich transit history: we're already biting off a huge chunk of change and that's a big part of the opposition and dubiousness shown towards ION. So for me, seeing the region focus on a very vanilla, off-the-shelf LRT system, with dedicated right of way, makes me happy. I can forgive a lot for that: no green ways, no catenary free systems, no above or below grade operations. Because, hell: we're actually building it, and the odds were against that ever happening.
But it's important to recognize the difference between that conservatism, and recognizing the value of some really cool new technologies out there. There'll be idealists (hi Canard) and pragmatists always butting heads. Idealists need to remember the value of a bird in the hand. Pragmatists need to give themselves permission to dream, and not beat the idealists down too hard.
Catenary free systems are a young technology and when I look at them, my gut reaction is that I'm glad this region didn't try to be so innovative. But that isn't to say I don't think they're cool! The recent French catenary-to-ground-power switchover video I saw (was it posted here?) was a cool example of how to use the technology to reduce clutter in a confined downtown. But while Canard is frustrated at things like this getting "stuck" I'm happy we didn't touch them.Why? I'm familiar with the challenges and obstacles of change, and despite our local reputation for innovation, I think we (on WRC) sometimes forget that this is a fairly small north american city without a rich transit history: we're already biting off a huge chunk of change and that's a big part of the opposition and dubiousness shown towards ION. So for me, seeing the region focus on a very vanilla, off-the-shelf LRT system, with dedicated right of way, makes me happy. I can forgive a lot for that: no green ways, no catenary free systems, no above or below grade operations. Because, hell: we're actually building it, and the odds were against that ever happening.
But it's important to recognize the difference between that conservatism, and recognizing the value of some really cool new technologies out there. There'll be idealists (hi Canard) and pragmatists always butting heads. Idealists need to remember the value of a bird in the hand. Pragmatists need to give themselves permission to dream, and not beat the idealists down too hard.