ION - Waterloo Region's Light Rail Transit

[kps]

Was the “no right turn - train” sign lit?

I think these are a mistake, since they're unfamiliar. The relevant intersections should have distinct left-straight-right arrow signals, like any other intersection where turns have separate timing.

[trainspotter139]

Was the “no right turn - train” sign lit?

I think these are a mistake, since they're unfamiliar. The relevant intersections should have distinct left-straight-right arrow signals, like any other intersection where turns have separate timing.

Except for the fact that these are pretty standard equipment in North America. In fact, there has been one set up on King St. E by the CP Rail tracks for years

[ijmorlan]

Was the “no right turn - train” sign lit?

I think these are a mistake, since they're unfamiliar. The relevant intersections should have distinct left-straight-right arrow signals, like any other intersection where turns have separate timing.

The right turn doesn’t have separate timing as such, being the same actual lane as the straight-through traffic. It’s just not always allowed to take the turn. Actually, that raises an interesting question: is it legal to sit waiting for the no-right to clear? If it were a regular no-turn sign it would mean that one would be required to proceed straight through the intersection. But on the other hand, a regular no-turn sign doesn’t clear after a few seconds — it stays there until taken down, normally when traffic flow through the area is being re-thought.

I suppose you could have two greens: a straight arrow and a regular circle. But then that gets back to the question of whether you can sit waiting for the no-right to clear (green circle to come on). Normally, at a green arrow, you have to go, not wait for something else to happen. In places where there are separate lights for the different directions there are also separate lanes controlled by the different lights.

In any case, familiar or not, a right-turn arrow crossed by a red line and circle means “no right turn” so nobody has any business driving who can’t understand the sign and interpret it safely. I first wrote “correctly” but changed it to “safely” because people can be excused being confused especially with unfamiliar signage; but they still have to drive safely. In general, interpreting something safely but potentially not correctly means slamming on the brakes and sitting for a while until the driver is sure of what is going on.

[trainspotter139]

I think these are a mistake, since they're unfamiliar. The relevant intersections should have distinct left-straight-right arrow signals, like any other intersection where turns have separate timing.

The right turn doesn’t have separate timing as such, being the same actual lane as the straight-through traffic. It’s just not always allowed to take the turn. Actually, that raises an interesting question: is it legal to sit waiting for the no-right to clear? If it were a regular no-turn sign it would mean that one would be required to proceed straight through the intersection. But on the other hand, a regular no-turn sign doesn’t clear after a few seconds — it stays there until taken down, normally when traffic flow through the area is being re-thought.

I suppose you could have two greens: a straight arrow and a regular circle. But then that gets back to the question of whether you can sit waiting for the no-right to clear (green circle to come on). Normally, at a green arrow, you have to go, not wait for something else to happen. In places where there are separate lights for the different directions there are also separate lanes controlled by the different lights.

In any case, familiar or not, a right-turn arrow crossed by a red line and circle means “no right turn” so nobody has any business driving who can’t understand the sign and interpret it safely. I first wrote “correctly” but changed it to “safely” because people can be excused being confused especially with unfamiliar signage; but they still have to drive safely. In general, interpreting something safely but potentially not correctly means slamming on the brakes and sitting for a while until the driver is sure of what is going on.

It is legal to sit and wait for the sign to clear if the sign states "TRAIN" underneath the graphic.

[KevinL]

Saw I could get a clear shot of the approaching 505 from my passing bus - did not expect to also catch a concerning pedestrian interaction...

[Canard]

This is the norm, sadly. People have no respect or understanding for rules, and are causing operators to e-stop multiple times per day.

[Square]

If I was the operator, I would constantly be on that loud horn they have!, lol

[boatracer]

When I was out at lunch today there was one heading down Charles. So many people turning left where prohibited, turning right when no-right-turn signs were illuminated (including a GRT bus turning into the Charles terminal after the LRT had passed but before the sign turned off).

[jeffster]

Saw I could get a clear shot of the approaching 505 from my passing bus - did not expect to also catch a concerning pedestrian interaction...

Sad, but a lot of people aren't very bright. Also noticed he was going in the same direction as the Ion if there had been one behind him.

Someone is going to get hurt.

[KevinT]

Saw I could get a clear shot of the approaching 505 from my passing bus - did not expect to also catch a concerning pedestrian interaction...

Sadly this doesn't surprise me, especially given the location -- that section has seen a lot of weird interactions.  A video posted to the Facebook group last winter (can't find it now for looking) showed someone shaking their fist and getting rather 'animated' the first time an ION went through there with its police escort, and I've personally witnessed similar behaviours from the residents and hangers-about at the House of Friendship during other testing.  It's where they had to remove a padlock from the overhead wiring before testing could proceed several months ago, and I called GrandLinq myself one morning this summer (or maybe it was the police non-emergency number, I forget) to report concrete debris that I spotted placed on the rails here.  

[jeffster]

Sadly this doesn't surprise me, especially given the location -- that section has seen a lot of weird interactions.  A video posted to the Facebook group last winter (can't find it now for looking) showed someone shaking their fist and getting rather 'animated' the first time an ION went through there with its police escort, and I've personally witnessed similar behaviours from the residents and hangers-about at the House of Friendship during other testing.  It's where they had to remove a padlock from the overhead wiring before testing could proceed several months ago, and I called GrandLinq myself one morning this summer (or maybe it was the police non-emergency number, I forget) to report concrete debris that I spotted placed on the rails here.  

I am wondering, in retrospect, if they should have chosen a different route other than that part of Charles. I can see a lot of issues cropping up daily in that area.

[Canard]

If we are going to start talking about specific trouble areas based on the type of people who frequent there, we really ought to first look at UoW...

[KevinT]

Sadly this doesn't surprise me, especially given the location -- that section has seen a lot of weird interactions.  A video posted to the Facebook group last winter (can't find it now for looking) showed someone shaking their fist and getting rather 'animated' the first time an ION went through there with its police escort, and I've personally witnessed similar behaviours from the residents and hangers-about at the House of Friendship during other testing.  It's where they had to remove a padlock from the overhead wiring before testing could proceed several months ago, and I called GrandLinq myself one morning this summer (or maybe it was the police non-emergency number, I forget) to report concrete debris that I spotted placed on the rails here.  

I am wondering, in retrospect, if they should have chosen a different route other than that part of Charles. I can see a lot of issues cropping up daily in that area.

I don't think it was foreseeable.  My best guess is that its related to the mental health of a particular individual, with influence upon the others around him (perhaps deliberately, perhaps indirectly).  You can't predict a one-off, and I have nothing against the organization itself -- they do good work.  If there are continued issues after the start of service I'm sure that they will be dealt with.

[JoeKW]

People on the fringe are the ones who need public transit the most... we just need to deal with it and try to mitigate issues.

[jeffster]

People on the fringe are the ones who need public transit the most... we just need to deal with it and try to mitigate issues.

Social services should be able to free passes for those that can't afford the ticket. These ones on the road, though, don't always have an interest in riding a train, though that might change when it's really hot or cold.