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Post by metrocenter on Jun 24, 2010 7:43:44 GMT -8
I would be very surprised if the Commission did not approve this. Hopefully they will get it on their agenda for the meeting on 29 July, so that work can begin as soon as possible.
BTW reply comments are due by 18 July.
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Post by metrocenter on Jun 24, 2010 7:55:49 GMT -8
Neighbors For Somewhereelse Rail might want to rethink it's battle strategy, rather than continuing to throw more of its member's money down the bottomless legal hole. Its record is now: no wins, one loss (.000).
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 24, 2010 10:38:32 GMT -8
Crowd run over by train in Barcelona -- twelve deadThis is the perfect equivalent of an unlikely accident at Farmdale during school rush hour. When a group of 30 people were trying to cross a grade crossing, they were run over by the train. There was a pedestrian overpass but it was closed and the pedestrian underpass was open but people weren't using it and preferring to cross faster at-grade. At Farmdale, with the original 55 MPH design, this wouldn't have happened thanks to the pedestrian gates and it could now never happen thanks to the near-side-platform station and trains coming to a full stop, in addition to the pedestrian gates.
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Post by metrocenter on Jun 24, 2010 17:59:34 GMT -8
In the case of Expo, all grade crossings have gates, lights and bells, by federal law. In Europe, many grade crossings have nothing but static signs. I was surprised to see this sort of thing in my most recent trip to France.
But in any case it sounds like these partiers directly ignored signs and a gate and assumed that because they were next to a station, that there was no danger of a full-speed express train flying by.
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Post by metrocenter on Jun 24, 2010 18:19:48 GMT -8
This article has more information. Many jammed the underpass leading to the beach, but about 30 others climbed down from the platform and tried to scurry across the tracks. Technically, this could happen at any of our street-level stations. In San Francisco, I often witnessed people jumping down from LRT platforms onto the tracks, to avoid having to go to the signal and wait. Development Minister Jose Blanco on Thursday denied claims the underpass was poorly marked, and insisted that passengers should have known that "you never, never, never cross the tracks."
"Everything pointed to negligence," Blanco added, saying he hoped the tragedy would make riders understand that they must obey station rules. Certainly it could be that these people killed (from South America) didn't know how things are done in Barcelona. The saying "When in Rome, do as the Romans do" certainly applies here and everywhere.
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Post by spokker on Jun 24, 2010 18:52:34 GMT -8
How does Goodmon describe this tentative approval as "rubber stamped?" Didn't the CPUC punt on this issue before? It's not like it came to them one day and they approved it the next.
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Post by metrocenter on Jun 24, 2010 21:36:42 GMT -8
How does Goodmon describe this tentative approval as "rubber stamped?" Didn't the CPUC punt on this issue before? It's not like it came to them one day and they approved it the next. The folks on the CPUC came to a different conclusion from him: this obviously means that they didn't give the issue any thought at all, and that their decision was just a rubber stamp for the business-as-usual insiders network.
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Post by jdrcrasher on Jun 25, 2010 6:33:47 GMT -8
Damien, you really need to do your homework before concluding whether the commission paid any attention to the needs of community. They've already gone out of their way on this section of the Expo Line more than others, and since the farmdale station is already under-construction, it would be simply wasteful to tear it down, which would be needed in order to make the farmdale crossing grade-seperated.
In fact, LAUSD has now signed on on the at-grade station-plus improvements proposal.
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Post by jdrcrasher on Jun 25, 2010 6:46:16 GMT -8
Administrative Law Judge Maribeth A. Bushey:
"The opposing parties contend that only a grade-separated crossing is safe. As set forth below, we have fully analyzed this contention in accord with our seven criteria for evaluating at-grade crossings and concluded that, on balance, the proposed Farmdale station and at-grade crossing offers pedestrians a safer crossing than the pedestrian overcrossing alternative."
-continued:
"On June 4, 2010, United Community Associations, Inc. and Neighbors for Smart Rail filed joint comments opposing the settlement agreement. The opposing parties reiterated their argument that the Commission’s 2009 decision authorizing amendments to the application precluded non-grade-separated crossing proposals and contended that the testimony previously presented by the school district showed that Dorsey students are “distracted,” likely to take “risks that adults would not,” and that two or three students per day are identified as being “under the influence of alcohol or marijuana.”
"The settlement agreement provides for construction of a passenger station at the intersection of Farmdale Avenue and Exposition Boulevard, with Farmdale Avenue open to crossing vehicular and pedestrian traffic at-grade at Exposition Boulevard. This crossing would have quad gates, flashers, bells, and traffic signals to control vehicular traffic. The passenger station would be constructed as a near-side split-platform configuration at the intersection of Farmdale Avenue and Exposition Boulevard and all trains would stop at each platform prior to reaching the crossing. Small train control and communications building would be located east of the station along Exposition Boulevard. "
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Jun 25, 2010 10:10:15 GMT -8
since the farmdale station is already under-construction, it would be simply wasteful to tear it down, which would be needed in order to make the farmdale crossing grade-seperated. Construction on the Farmdale station is already under construction? Really? Do you have pictures of this? I thought this was based on approval by the CPUC. So far, there is still no official approval. Can you validate this claim?
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Jun 25, 2010 12:39:54 GMT -8
I drove by yesterday and have only seen clearing and site preparation work on bare soil. No forms are up or concrete has been poured that I can see.
I'm pretty sure the authority goes out of their way to do things to the letter of the law, especially when an issue is so potentially contentious.
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Post by jdrcrasher on Jun 25, 2010 14:27:36 GMT -8
Construction on the Farmdale station is already under construction? Really? Do you have pictures of this? I thought this was based on approval by the CPUC. So far, there is still no official approval. Can you validate this claim? I remember seeing photos of a 2 platform expo line station under-construction. In the backround there were buildings that resembled those found in schools. BTW, it's almost as if you were looking for mistakes in my comment...
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 25, 2010 14:40:02 GMT -8
BTW, it's almost as if you were looking for mistakes in my comment... LAofAnaheim is the guy in the pink shirt yelling at people coming at the 3:57 minute of this video. But while it's OK to yell at NIMBYs at the meetings and on this board, I can't agree more that everyone should be kind to everyone on this discussion board as much as possible...
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 25, 2010 14:51:18 GMT -8
How does Goodmon describe this tentative approval as "rubber stamped?" Didn't the CPUC punt on this issue before? It's not like it came to them one day and they approved it the next. The folks on the CPUC came to a different conclusion from him: this obviously means that they didn't give the issue any thought at all, and that their decision was just a rubber stamp for the business-as-usual insiders network. Ironically I've always thought that the NIMBYs were the ones who have been rubber-stamping everything: "We won't accept anything except below ground!"
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Post by metrocenter on Jun 25, 2010 15:03:10 GMT -8
I remember seeing photos of a 2 platform expo line station under-construction. In the backround there were buildings that resembled those found in schools. BTW, it's almost as if you were looking for mistakes in my comment... There is no construction on Farmdale Station. Work on that station has not, cannot and will not begin until the CPUC finally approves this settlement. The Expo Authority's contractors have completed work on trackbeds and tracks approaching Farmdale Avenue. But no station work yet. I drive by there at least once a week. Maybe you saw pictures of Western Station, which has Foshay Middle School in the background.
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Post by metrocenter on Jun 25, 2010 15:12:11 GMT -8
If I remember correctly, the settlement allows Expo to build a simple grade crossing (tracks crossing road) at Farmdale, with the Farmdale Station built after Expo opens, as long as in the interim period, the train comes to a complete stop every time it crosses Farmdale.
Is this accurate? Hopefully this is true, because it means that Expo's opening day won't be delayed just in order to built the Farmdale Station.
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 25, 2010 16:20:18 GMT -8
If I remember correctly, the settlement allows Expo to build a simple grade crossing (tracks crossing road) at Farmdale, with the Farmdale Station built after Expo opens, as long as in the interim period, the train comes to a complete stop every time it crosses Farmdale. Is this accurate? Hopefully this is true, because it means that Expo's opening day won't be delayed just in order to built the Farmdale Station. Yes, the settlement between LAUSD and Expo allows Expo to operate nonrevenue or revenue service before the station is completed, as long as all the other safety features (gates, bells, signals, etc.) are in, the trains come to a full stop, the operator doesn't proceed until the entire crossing is clear, and the speed limit is 15 MPH when the driver's cab of the train is within the crossing. Expo is also required to finish the station and open it to service before the end of 2011. Note that Expo has also had to pay for and purchase Expo Inn, build a parking lot in place of it, and transfer the title to LAUSD. In addition Expo is also being required street improvements at Rodeo Road to improve the access to the school there. Expo - LAUSD settlement
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 25, 2010 17:11:26 GMT -8
Del Mar was Farmdale of the Gold Line. It almost killed the line completely but narrowly got approved 3 - 2 by CPUC at the end. The problem here is a blind crossing thanks to a building where the tracks go through. Today the first accidental fatality in the Gold Line occurred here but yet it needs to be confirmed not to be a suicide. A young Black man was trying to cross the tracks at the edge of the building, where there is no view of the incoming train. In the future cameras and mirrors would prevent such accidents. Man struck, killed by train in PasadenaAt Farmdale such accidents won't be possible, as the settlement ensures that there will be a clear view of the entire intersection. While it's very unlikely that we may ever see an accident at Farmdale, the NIMBYs will now use this and the Barcelona disaster, which ironically both happened immediately after the Farmdale approval, to reverse the CPUC decision and kill the Expo Line. But the bottom line is that all the safety features are now in at Farmdale and nothing can ever be made 100% safe and 99.9999999% safe is more than good enough.
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Post by bobdavis on Jun 25, 2010 19:42:58 GMT -8
For those not familiar with Pasadena, be advised that the park on the west side of Raymond usually has an assortment of "street people" hanging around. When my daughter worked for a county in northern California, some of her fellow employees used the term "residentially challenged."
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Post by spokker on Jun 25, 2010 22:38:01 GMT -8
Aren't there bells and crossing gates at that crossing on Del Mar?
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Post by tonyw79sfv on Jun 26, 2010 1:13:37 GMT -8
Aren't there bells and crossing gates at that crossing on Del Mar? From Union Station to Sierra Madre Villa, all at-grade intersections except portions paralleling Marmion Way are gate protected. If I remember correctly about the Del Mar crossing, in addition to gates that block the street, there are also "mini" crossing gates for the sidewalk to stop pedestrians.
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 27, 2010 15:07:18 GMT -8
Aren't there bells and crossing gates at that crossing on Del Mar? Here is a very nice photo of Del Mar Boulevard: There are narrow sidewalks on the north side of the street where the accident happened when a southbound train emerged from the building. There is an emergency-escape swing gate and a small pedestrian arm that blocks the sidewalk when a train is approaching. My educated guess is that this 24-year-old Black kid was in a rush early in the morning and ducked under either the pedestrian crossing arm or the vehicle crossing arm, not to realize that he can't see a train coming from inside the building. Mirrors here that show inside the building would have greatly helped and prevented this incident. People will always do very stupid things (like in this case) and accidents will happen no matter what, even with grade separation. But extra safety features (in this case mirrors) will always reduce the number of accidents. Let's still hope that this was a suicide but I doubt it was.
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Post by trackman on Jun 27, 2010 19:52:47 GMT -8
If a mirror were in place... it sends the message that if no trian is visible that it is okay to cross, right! Wrong approach!
When the crossing gates/arms are down, it is not okay to cross the tracks, period.
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 27, 2010 22:04:35 GMT -8
If a mirror were in place... it sends the message that if no trian is visible that it is okay to cross, right! Wrong approach! When the crossing gates/arms are down, it is not okay to cross the tracks, period. If the arms down means no crossing period than the mirror wouldn't send the wrong message. I believe in the redundancy of safety features.
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 28, 2010 8:18:29 GMT -8
Well, this one was a suicide too after all. Therefore, the NIMBYs won't be able to use it against Farmdale or Phase 2, and it increases the confidence for the pedestrian-crossing-arm-gate-protected light-rail. Gold Line train death ruled a suicideAlthough this is still tragic and a mirror or a camera could have helped the train operator see the guy hiding behind the wall. One month to July 29 Farmdale approval!
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 28, 2010 10:01:16 GMT -8
What a neat graphic! One could even say "charming" or "idyllic". Considering all the hostility spread by certain partisans in this matter, a welcome dose of "nice". Ha ha, it's from Farmville, an annoying *my opinion* game on Facebook. I would prefer if they moved the Dorsey High School to the lot of the storage facility at Exposition and La Brea and they built a farm at Farmdale instead.
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Post by metrocenter on Jun 28, 2010 10:29:17 GMT -8
FYI for anyone that doesn't get down to see the construction very often...
Currently the delay on the Farmdale crossing is manifested as a break in the installed rail. This break stretches from just west of Vineyard to around Potomac. It looks like the contractor is using the part of the ROW west of Farmdale for storage/staging/parking as they work on the La Brea overcrossing and other parts of the project. However, on the ROW east of Farmdale, soundwalls, curbs, etc. have already been created right up to the intersection of Farmdale/Exposition.
Again, so that it's clear: no station work or track installation has taken place in the immediate vicinity of Farmdale/Exposition. This will not happen until the CPUC gives final approval to the settlement.
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Post by Gokhan on Jun 28, 2010 10:33:57 GMT -8
FYI for anyone that doesn't get down to see the construction very often... Currently the delay on the Farmdale crossing is manifested as a break in the installed rail. This break stretches from just west of Vineyard to around Potomac. It looks like the contractor is using the part of the ROW west of Farmdale for storage/staging/parking as they work on the La Brea overcrossing and other parts of the project. However, on the ROW east of Farmdale, soundwalls, curbs, etc. have already been created right up to the intersection of Farmdale/Exposition. Again, so that it's clear: no station work or track installation has taken place in the immediate vicinity of Farmdale/Exposition. This will not happen until the CPUC gives final approval to the settlement. The major construction activity at Farmdale now is sewer work. I think it's 30-ft-deep below the large storm drains and it will be a lot of work.
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Post by Gokhan on Jul 28, 2010 13:15:53 GMT -8
Well, Guys, the Farmdale Station has escaped the hold list just posted and is now officially set for vote as a regular agenda item. Tune in tomorrow at 10 AM for the Webcast.
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Post by darrell on Jul 28, 2010 17:14:55 GMT -8
Although it appears that our item #14 has been moved from the Consent Agenda to the Regular Agenda.
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