01-01-2017, 10:58 AM
I still think this is the perfect time to get this stuff nailed down before service starts next year. I can't believe they're just letting the rapidway sit there untouched. Get it figured out, guys!
(01-01-2017, 10:58 AM)Canard Wrote: [ -> ]I still think this is the perfect time to get this stuff nailed down before service starts next year. I can't believe they're just letting the rapidway sit there untouched. Get it figured out, guys!
(01-01-2017, 11:17 AM)ijmorlan Wrote: [ -> ](01-01-2017, 10:58 AM)Canard Wrote: [ -> ]I still think this is the perfect time to get this stuff nailed down before service starts next year. I can't believe they're just letting the rapidway sit there untouched. Get it figured out, guys!
100% agreed. There is already too much being done late — my annoyance being stuff like the design of the transit terminal at UW and downtown. Shouldn’t that have been figured out when the track and station design was done? But you’re absolutely right that details as simple as “who clears what areas of snow” should be worked out while we have many months before service begins.
(01-01-2017, 12:18 PM)panamaniac Wrote: [ -> ](01-01-2017, 11:17 AM)ijmorlan Wrote: [ -> ]100% agreed. There is already too much being done late — my annoyance being stuff like the design of the transit terminal at UW and downtown. Shouldn’t that have been figured out when the track and station design was done? But you’re absolutely right that details as simple as “who clears what areas of snow” should be worked out while we have many months before service begins.
Sorry, what's the issue?
(01-01-2017, 12:51 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: [ -> ]@Canard. On the other hand it would be a lot of money spent clearing something that isn't used.
@ijmorlan. Given that the LRT station is outside I don't think there can be indoor transfers. They might be under the bridge.
(01-01-2017, 12:40 PM)Canard Wrote: [ -> ]Transit terminal is a whole separate thing...
I just meant I have an issue with letting the rapidway sit there all winter instead of practicing snow clearing techniques right now, when they could get this all sorted. There are so many little "interface" areas that aren't being cleared right now, for example, so it'd be a great chance to get these sorted before service starts next year, and it's a scramble.
(01-01-2017, 09:07 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: [ -> ]Here's some data. I spent a week in two towns with municipal sidewalk clearing. Despite walking about 50 kms, through multiple storms, and there were some mediocre sidewalks to be sure, there was only one impassable sidewalk and that was due to having a car parked on it.
(01-01-2017, 09:11 PM)ijmorlan Wrote: [ -> ]Definitely. Just to be clear, are you talking about the whole rapidway, or just the areas where pedestrians (and cars, but that part seems to be mostly OK) need to cross?
(01-01-2017, 10:52 PM)Canard Wrote: [ -> ](01-01-2017, 09:11 PM)ijmorlan Wrote: [ -> ]Definitely. Just to be clear, are you talking about the whole rapidway, or just the areas where pedestrians (and cars, but that part seems to be mostly OK) need to cross?
Yes - whole rapidway (so as to see the effect of who'll handle what and how the snow accumulation behaves/can be handled), as well as all crossings. A "dry run", if you will. Use a test section like in front of GRH or say, along Charles in two different places (maybe in front of the current Transit Terminal for "low curb" sections, and between Benton/Cedar for the more conventional centre sections).
Otherwise, if they do nothing this winter... then they'll be desperately trying to sort it all out weeks before opening, and I imagine there will be much fingerpointing when it all falls apart. My concern mostly is to what will happen when we get a decent snowfall? LRT Operator ploughs (somehow?) all the snow on the rapidway onto... the road? Then the road goes onto... the sidewalks? Er...? How's that gonna work?
I just don't get why they wouldn't be practicing now, even if it was just for a few weeks or something. Throw $50k or whatever at it and call it money well spent. See what the problems are, come up with a game plan over the summer, and implement in December 2017.
(01-01-2017, 10:31 PM)tomh009 Wrote: [ -> ](01-01-2017, 09:07 PM)danbrotherston Wrote: [ -> ]Here's some data. I spent a week in two towns with municipal sidewalk clearing. Despite walking about 50 kms, through multiple storms, and there were some mediocre sidewalks to be sure, there was only one impassable sidewalk and that was due to having a car parked on it.
Which towns? It would be nice to get some real data on the sidewalk clearing costs.