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Post by metrocenter on Jan 8, 2014 13:08:13 GMT -8
From Metro's The Source (Link)Metro Blue Line receiving a $1.2-billion overhaulI will say, the article is not entirely truthful: the $1.2 billion figure includes the 78-car order for $739 million. We all know these vehicles will be used throughout the LRT system, not just on the Blue Line. Still, there are some nice improvements being done to improve the Blue Line. It's good to see the Blue Line getting some love. |
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Post by joshuanickel on Jan 8, 2014 13:50:14 GMT -8
From Metro's The Source (Link)Metro Blue Line receiving a $1.2-billion overhaulI will say, the article is not entirely truthful: the $1.2 billion figure includes the 78-car order for $739 million. We all know these vehicles will be used throughout the LRT system, not just on the Blue Line.
Still, there are some nice improvements being done to improve the Blue Line. It's good to see the Blue Line getting some love. To be fair the Metro Board has approved an order to replace the current Nippon Sharyo cars which should start ariving in 2017 after the Expo and Gold Line cars are delivered: New Blue Line Rail Cars |
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Post by masonite on Jan 8, 2014 14:46:49 GMT -8
From Metro's The Source (Link)Metro Blue Line receiving a $1.2-billion overhaulI will say, the article is not entirely truthful: the $1.2 billion figure includes the 78-car order for $739 million. We all know these vehicles will be used throughout the LRT system, not just on the Blue Line. Still, there are some nice improvements being done to improve the Blue Line. It's good to see the Blue Line getting some love. I agree. Also, some of this work has already been done like the substation replacement. Other than the 4 additional track crossovers, which will help in accident situations, it is hard to pinpoint what is new and tangible here. Looks like some safety measures, which is good for this dangerous line. Not sure about station enhancements or speed enhancements. I know Long Beach was going to start working on signal preemption in Downtown Long Beach. I am not sure if LADOT has got anywhere in trying to figure out how to do some signal preemption for the Blue and Expo Lines in Downtown LA. I believe they have been working on it, but haven't heard of any progress. |
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Post by masonite on Jan 8, 2014 15:35:34 GMT -8
From Metro's The Source (Link)Metro Blue Line receiving a $1.2-billion overhaulI will say, the article is not entirely truthful: the $1.2 billion figure includes the 78-car order for $739 million. We all know these vehicles will be used throughout the LRT system, not just on the Blue Line. Still, there are some nice improvements being done to improve the Blue Line. It's good to see the Blue Line getting some love. I agree. Also, some of this work has already been done like the substation replacement. Other than the 4 additional track crossovers, which will help in accident situations, it is hard to pinpoint what is new and tangible here. Looks like some safety measures, which is good for this dangerous line. Not sure about station enhancements or speed enhancements. I know Long Beach was going to start working on signal preemption in Downtown Long Beach. I am not sure if LADOT has got anywhere in trying to figure out how to do some signal preemption for the Blue and Expo Lines in Downtown LA. I believe they have been working on it, but haven't heard of any progress. On the Source, Metro was reporting that it would help run more frequent service. I have a hard time believing this as I had always heard the Blue Line was limited in frequency due to traffic considerations. When the platforms only allowed for 2 car trains, they said they couldn't run more frequent service because of this and had to expand the platforms to 3 car trains. |
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Post by transitfan on Jan 9, 2014 7:54:49 GMT -8
Where will the 4 new crossovers be located? I didn't see any info on that on the site.
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Post by TransportationZ on Jan 9, 2014 8:10:50 GMT -8
Looks like some safety measures, which is good for this dangerous line. More like stupid-proof measures. The line itself isn't dangerous. People just don't know how act around light rail. There light rail and tram systems all over the world without crossing gates, fancy signs, and flashing "train" signals. Considering that EVERY major city in California has light rail, the state should be doing more to promote driving safety around light rail. To be honest, left turns against light rail should be banned completely(like Colorado on Expo Phase II). I also think the criteria should be less rigorous for grade separations. In the traffic impact analysis, if the train can't have full signal preemption then it should be grade separated. Period. |
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Post by masonite on Jan 9, 2014 12:04:49 GMT -8
Looks like some safety measures, which is good for this dangerous line. More like stupid-proof measures. The line itself isn't dangerous. People just don't know how act around light rail. There light rail and tram systems all over the world without crossing gates, fancy signs, and flashing "train" signals. Considering that EVERY major city in California has light rail, the state should be doing more to promote driving safety around light rail. To be honest, left turns against light rail should be banned completely(like Colorado on Expo Phase II). I also think the criteria should be less rigorous for grade separations. In the traffic impact analysis, if the train can't have full signal preemption then it should be grade separated. Period. I agree that the people getting hit are at fault. However, you can't argue that there have been too many accidents here and additional safety measures not only saves lives, but reduce the amount of delays due to collisions. |
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Jan 15, 2014 19:10:46 GMT -8
Hopefully this applies all of the lessons Metro has learned from building 4 other light rail lines to its first with the same high standards, safety, signage, and line of communication retrofitted as best it can.
With that out of the way now City of LA would benefit much to get working on re-zoning much of the rusted out unused area surrounding the Blue Line forever. It needs to be more pedestrian friendly with neighborhood amenities like affordable housing, markets, parks, and spaces for new industry in a mixed use kind of way. It's a shame that looking out the window on the Blue Line the best looking parts are in *shocker* Compton and Long Beach and of course the bustling South Park. By the way has anyone else heard that the huge parking lot across from Pico Station just changed hands and is already entitled for a huge amount of retail, apartments, and possibly a hotel?
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