11-22-2017, 02:24 PM
(11-22-2017, 11:31 AM)Markster Wrote:(11-22-2017, 10:26 AM)danbrotherston Wrote: I really hate that argument. If there's justification for running a train every 3 minutes, then those people *should* have priority over traffic. If those people were instead in cars, then you'd really see traffic disruption.
When framed this way, I go buy a car.
Keep in mind that buses still need to use those intersecting roads. And line management becomes quite difficult at 3-minute headways without full separation. I don't want to see LRV bunches.
Personally, I'm fine with frequency topping out at 5-7 minutes, and the vehicles doubling up after that.
It's the prospect of doubled-up trains justifying 30 minute frequency in the evenings that grinds my gears.
My understanding is that our LRT will have full priority, i.e., will not normally encounter a stop signal. If this is true, then line management is not a problem — it’s the same as with full isolation. Given that, 3 minute service just means the traffic light must give a green to the LRT every 3 minutes in each direction, meaning the LRT significantly constrains the overall traffic light cycle. Because an LRV doesn’t take very long to clear the intersection, even 3 minute service will still leave lots of time for the cross street. If some extra traffic congestion results, that is really irrelevant, as pointed out — 3 minute service would be provided because 3600 people per hour are taking the LRT. It would be absurd to make those 3600 people wait for a few people in private cars. How many cars can fit through Erb and Caroline in an hour anyway? And in a situation where we had that level of transit ridership, I think having reserved lanes for buses on the cross streets should be achievable.
Having said all that, I’m OK with 5 minute frequency. But it really would be absurd to use 2-car trains to allow 30 minute instead of 15 minute service. It doesn’t make sense to spend as much on capital as it takes to build an LRT and then not fund operations properly.
I wonder when automatic driving will be considered reliable enough to run an LRV in or near traffic? It’s a way easier problem than the general automatic driving problem. That would allow higher frequency without increasing labour costs.