TTC: Other Items (catch all)

[GenerationW]

SmartTrack has completely undermined political support for the DRL. Tory is still trumpeting the idea that SmartTrack can relieve the Yonge line and be build in only 7 years, so now politicians have yet another excuse to continue ignoring the DRL so that they can go back to pursuing more suburban vanity projects instead.

That's nonsense. The DRL lacked any real political support long before SmartTrack ever existed. Tory's backing was a mile wide and an inch deep; same with Miller & Giambrone. Ford had no interest at all. Even Josh Matlow, supposedly the biggest DRL supporter on council, is far more interested in ranting against the B-D extension than DRL advocacy.

Bye-bye DRL, nice knowing you.

 

[BurlOak]

As I said in the other thread, the death of the continuous Eglinton-Scarborough LRT severely harmed the DRL effort. If Eglinton was grade-separated to Don Mills, people would have asked about a future DRL platform. Now, nobody (in power) is talking of extending the DRL to Eglinton. As a link between Danforth and Downtown, the DRL is viewed as another "stubway" and not another transit line in the transportation network.

 

[wopchop]

But do we know that no other party is willing to fund Smart Track? The NDP haven't specified where the money offered to cities in their transit platform is going. It can easily be directed by council to Smart Track in the case that they win the next election. Same goes for the Liberals, who will likely be promising stable funding to municipalities to use as they please.

Even if they don't the Province is still moving forward with RER, which Tory can still have some influence in, which would allow him to still brand it as Smart Track.

Sure, it's possible. But not guaranteed. Especially in an election. Candidates often will not want to support a policy that their rival just came out in support of, as it makes them look like they are not on the ball.

General stable transit funding is more likely, IMO, than the Liberal Party or the NDP directly coming out in favour of SmartTrack.

I agree with you that all parties will be promising infrastructure money.

 

[Tuscani01]

Sure, it's possible. But not guaranteed. Especially in an election. Candidates often will not want to support a policy that their rival just came out in support of, as it makes them look like they are not on the ball.

General stable transit funding is more likely, IMO, than the Liberal Party or the NDP directly coming out in favour of SmartTrack.

I agree with you that all parties will be promising infrastructure money.

John Tory was pretty cushy with Adam Vaughan and the Federal Liberals though. I wouldn't be surprised if they include enough funding to make Smart Track happen. Adam's only criticism of the announcement was that Harper didn't consult with the Province or the city before committing to funding. He has had nothing bad to say about Smart Track.

 

[AlvinofDiaspar]

Well, the most critical element in his plans is the province anyways - the latter can easily screw with the ST schedule.

AoD

 

[W. K. Lis]

There's an item on the next TTC meeting agency (see link) for the following (click on the block below to view the quote):

ACAT Request to Amend the Highway Traffic Act

This report responds to the November 21, 2014 communication from members of the TTC’s Advisory Committee on Accessible Transit (ACAT) requesting assistance in amending the Ontario Highway Traffic in order to improve safety for passengers boarding or exiting a stopped streetcar. The proposed amendment would require vehicles to stop two metres behind a streetcar which is stopped to serve customers, as opposed to the current legislative requirement that vehicles stop two metres behind the open door of a streetcar which is stopped to serve customers. TTC staff responsible for traffic engineering and safety have reviewed the proposed amendment and concluded that it would not materially improve the safety of customers accessing or departing streetcars, and would not be practical or achievable because car drivers would not always have sufficient advance warning to be able to stop two metres behind a streetcar which is stopping to serve customers.

TTC staff have met with members of ACAT’s Service Planning Subcommittee, and there was agreement that the much-improved three visual warning systems on the TTC’s new streetcars – which will be much-more effective than the warning provisions on the current CLRV and ALRV streetcars -- will provide an earlier and clearer warning to motorists that a streetcar will be stopping to serve customers, and should result in more-consistent compliance and safe driver behaviour. Motorists will still be required to be vigilant and prepared to stop behind a streetcar if its doors open to serve customers. ACAT sub-committee members and TTC staff concluded that the existing legislation meets the safety-related intent of the proposed amendment, and that the amendment is not warranted.

While TTC staff says the amendment is not warranted, I think that the amendment is needed for safety. Think back to June of 2012, and this article at this link. And, of course, carservatives (like Rob Ford) would oppose the amendment, see this link.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

SmartTrack has completely undermined political support for the DRL. Tory is still trumpeting the idea that SmartTrack can relieve the Yonge line and be build in only 7 years, so now politicians have yet another excuse to continue ignoring the DRL so that they can go back to pursuing more suburban vanity projects instead.

Recently Tory has publicly said something along the lines of, "The Relief Line is absolutely necessary". Such strong language indicates that he wants it built.

 

[DarnDirtyApe]

There's an item on the next TTC meeting agency (see link) for the following (click on the block below to view the quote):



While TTC staff says the amendment is not warranted, I think that the amendment is needed for safety. Think back to June of 2012, and this article at this link. And, of course, carservatives (like Rob Ford) would oppose the amendment, see this link.

It sounds like this change would make it virtually impossible for a car driver/cyclist to pass a streetcar. Current common practice for drivers and cyclists is to stop behind the doors while streetcar passengers are boarding or alighting, then pull up alongside the streetcar when the doors close. You pass the streetcar when the light turns green. Given that the new streetcars are 30 metres long, this rule seems to make the entire right lane of a road off-limits to cars and bikes within 32 metres (100 feet) of any street car stop.

 

[TheTigerMaster]

I presume this change is because of safety concerns with the position of the final door in the streetcar. This door is at the immediate rear of the vehicle.

When going around a CLRV and ALRV, it is common practice for drivers to switch from the centre to right lane and then continue down the lane to stop at the open doors. Because the LFLRV has doors at the immediate rear, drivers will often not have enough time to determine whether or not the door is open after completing the lane change. Furthermore, passengers exiting from the rare will be unable to see any vehicles coming towards them that are moving from the centre to right lane.

 

[CDL.TO]

I've wondered if they should paint a line on the road that cars are required to stop behind when the doors are open. Would make enforcement easy... cross the line when the "doors open" light is on, get a ticket. No ifs, ands, or buts!

Would make it easier for drivers too, as it would be clear when the streetcar was in its "door opening" zone.

 

[W. K. Lis]

The rear doors on the new low-floor streetcars are so close to the rear that 2 metres would put it at the rear corner. The real change would be from any "open" door to rear most door whether or not it is open or not.

 

[DarnDirtyApe]

Realistically speaking I'm not sure that any change in the law will result in a safer environment for streetcar riders. Most drivers who are familiar with streetcars know not to drive up beside one that's in the process of stopping because the doors might open and then you'll look like an idiot for blocking them. Those that don't are either completely clueless or intentionally violating the law and I wouldn't expect either to change just because the law does.

 

[Edward Skira]

A few shots from Greenwood Shop during Doors Open

 

[drum118]

Staff has be requested to produce a report how about going about installing bike storage places for busy transit stops and stations throughout the city. Also how to encourage riders to ride to X spot and leave their bike there and used transit.

Its is really time to jump to the 21st regarding bikes and transit. Those who been to Europe have seen the storage parking structures for bikes alone as well other types of storage there and needs to happen here.

 

[muller877]

Staff has be requested to produce a report how about going about installing bike storage places for busy transit stops and stations throughout the city. Also how to encourage riders to ride to X spot and leave their bike there and used transit.

Its is really time to jump to the 21st regarding bikes and transit. Those who been to Europe have seen the storage parking structures for bikes alone as well other types of storage there and needs to happen here.

There are a lot of subways with grassy areas (where people smoke illegally), overly large bus bays or City of Toronto parking lots with green areas. Shouldn't be too hard to throw up a bunch of places to lock a bike as an interim step.

If demands warrants, add a cover (e.g. High Park bike storage). If there is more demand, then we should look at bike storage (via your Presto Card).

But that would be too cheap and simple. We need an EA for each location. We need a year long study period. Then we need the Rolls Royce version because of the city's inferiority complex.