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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Apr 22, 2012 14:56:17 GMT -8
@festival of Books also, crossing at the Expo Park/USC station has been orderly and everyone seems safe and unafraid. The trains really do appear to be moving pretty fast I agree. I took the Silver Line from 7th St along with a sizable group to the area, Expo Line will be a hugely better and faster experience. It's hard to imagine why the amazing Expo Park, museums, Coliseum, and USC were ever cutoff from the regional rail network
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Apr 22, 2012 15:13:59 GMT -8
Trains are moving faster because they are NOT stopping at any stations! Is this some kind of express train test?
EDIT: on closer inspection they are altogether skipping Expo Park/USC station. I suppose it is a form of Express. I'm curious what stations would see a skip on express service: Farmdale obviously, 23rd St possibly, Expo Park/USC plausible. They all do have stations walking distance away (23rd St has Blue Line Grand Station blocks away). Very interesting.
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Post by metrocenter on Apr 22, 2012 19:00:08 GMT -8
^ Express service is not feasible without a passing track, which Expo does not have.
When I saw the trains today, they were stopping but very briefly.
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Post by calwatch on Apr 22, 2012 20:18:21 GMT -8
You could do the ham-handed Gold Line Express style. Actually a limited stop Expo train would not be so bad, for the peak hour. You would have 12 minute local service and 12 minute limited service interspersed. Expo started out with 12 minute base and peak headway so adding limited stop trains would not be the same as on the Gold Line, when local trains were downgraded to once every 15 minutes.
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Post by carter on Apr 22, 2012 22:18:13 GMT -8
^ Express service is not feasible without a passing track, which Expo does not have. When I saw the trains today, they were stopping but very briefly. There will be a passing track on Phase 2 and the possibility of running express or limited stop service. But it you'd have to weigh any potential time savings (5, maybe 10 minutes) with the increased operational complexity, and the fact that some revenue-paying customers get passed up.
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Post by matthewb on Apr 23, 2012 1:10:37 GMT -8
Trains are moving faster because they are NOT stopping at any stations! Is this some kind of express train test? EDIT: on closer inspection they are altogether skipping Expo Park/USC station. I suppose it is a form of Express. I'm curious what stations would see a skip on express service: Farmdale obviously, 23rd St possibly, Expo Park/USC plausible. They all do have stations walking distance away (23rd St has Blue Line Grand Station blocks away). Very interesting. Would it be legal to skip Farmdale? The whole reason it exists is because it's required for "safety" reasons. Trains would have to stop anyway, and would have to obey the ridiculously low speed limits, so there might not be any real time savings.
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Apr 23, 2012 3:42:18 GMT -8
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Apr 23, 2012 8:07:13 GMT -8
Imagine the thousands for the book festival and probably another 80,000 just for the opening this weekend. Remember how backlogged the Gold Line Eastside Extension was in November 2009? People were waiting 2 hours for the train. Some just walked to Chinatown and gave up. I know, I was there and people told me. It's actually better to have an opening not on a huge festival day; because the opening itself is another humongous festival. Also, per the tour last week, operations will require EVERYBODY to de-board at La Cienega, Crenshaw, USC/Expo and 7th street. Imagine coming from La Cienega and you have to take 2 trains to the festival and 80,000 who want to test out the train? Operationally, next weekend is better.
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Post by metrocenter on Apr 23, 2012 9:09:21 GMT -8
^ I agree, it wouldn't have been good to do both (Expo opening and Festival of Books) on the same day.
Really, they missed the window by two weeks. Had they been able to open April 14, the Expo Line crowds and kinks would have been worked out in time for the festival.
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Post by thanks4goingmetro on Apr 23, 2012 9:25:56 GMT -8
^ Express service is not feasible without a passing track, which Expo does not have. When I saw the trains today, they were stopping but very briefly. And somehow Metrolink San Bernandino line is somehow able to operate an express on a single track and eight sidings , but that's beside the point LOL Possibility for Expo express trains were mentioned in the testing specifications previously, probably operationally similar to the Gold Line had in operation briefly. Makes more sense for Expo, even as a test for a few daily trains, considering how close some of the stations are and how interesting it would be to have something from Culver City to downtown in the lower or possibly under 20 minute range. With realistic passenger loading time the Expo Line will more than likely be yet slower in operation than in testing with the very brief station stops and it barely coming in under 28 minutes as it is. I did witness a few trains flat out skip Expo Park/USC but did stop at Vermont Statio though
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Post by bzcat on Apr 23, 2012 9:50:46 GMT -8
^ Express service is not feasible without a passing track, which Expo does not have. When I saw the trains today, they were stopping but very briefly. There will be a passing track on Phase 2 and the possibility of running express or limited stop service. But it you'd have to weigh any potential time savings (5, maybe 10 minutes) with the increased operational complexity, and the fact that some revenue-paying customers get passed up. Where is the passing track for phase 2?
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Post by LAofAnaheim on Apr 23, 2012 10:19:01 GMT -8
^ I agree, it wouldn't have been good to do both (Expo opening and Festival of Books) on the same day. Really, they missed the window by two weeks. Had they been able to open April 14, the Expo Line crowds and kinks would have been worked out in time for the festival. Nope. cicLAvia, which draws over 100,000 and is LA's newest largest festival. Did you see the amount of bikes on the Gold Line, Purple Line, Red Line, or Blue Line? cicLAvia is now a much larger festival in LA than the Festival of Books. Next one is set for October 14th.
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Post by joshuanickel on Apr 23, 2012 11:16:44 GMT -8
There will be a passing track on Phase 2 and the possibility of running express or limited stop service. But it you'd have to weigh any potential time savings (5, maybe 10 minutes) with the increased operational complexity, and the fact that some revenue-paying customers get passed up. Where is the passing track for phase 2? There is a pocket track planned in the FEIR to be located just west of the National/Palms station. See map on page 1: backup.buildexpo.org/phase2/Phase%202%20FEIR%20Documents/AppendixE%20Plan%20and%20Profile_FEIR_2%20of%203.pdfI don't see how they could use it for express trains since the express train could not pass the train at the station due to placement of the track.
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Post by Gokhan on Apr 23, 2012 11:44:43 GMT -8
Here it comes! Expo Line dedication and maiden voyage on Friday and the public opening on Saturday, with a street fair during the weekend!
USC Campus Community,
Due to the dedication and grand opening of the Exposition Metro Rail line on Friday, April 27, 2012 and Saturday, April 28, 2012 along with the March of Dimes for Babies walk also on Saturday, April 28, 2012, the below streets will be closed to vehicular traffic:
FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 2012
Exposition Boulevard will be closed from Vermont Avenue to Figueroa Street from 10:00 am to approximately 4:00 pm.
Entry and exit to and from USC’s Watt Way will be allowed from Exposition Boulevard and Vermont Avenue according to the Department of Transportation officials. However, Transportation Services recommends that traffic on the west side of campus enter campus via Gate 6, located on Vermont Avenue and 36th Place and/or Gate 5, located on Jefferson Boulevard and McClintock Avenue. Also for parking on the east side of campus, please use Gate 3, located on Figueroa Street and McCarthy Way, and the old Gate 2, located on Figueroa Street just before Exposition Boulevard for access to Childs Way.
SATURDAY, APRIL 28, 2012
The Expo Line grand opening and the March of Dimes-March for Babies walk are scheduled to take place. These events will result in the following street closures:
Exposition Boulevard will be closed from Vermont Avenue to Figueroa Street from 7:00 am to approximately 8:00 pm. Figueroa Street from 39th Street north to Adams Boulevard. Adams Boulevard west to Hoover Street. Hoover Street south to Jefferson Boulevard. Jefferson Boulevard east to Figueroa Street. Figueroa Street south to 39th Street.
Transportation Services recommends if you and/or your guests will be on campus on Saturday, April 28, 2012, you may want to enter and exit campus via Gate 6, located on Vermont Avenue and 36th Place until the various events have ended and the streets re-opened.
SUNDAY, APRIL 29, 2012
Sunday is the continuation of the metro rail opening. There will be promotional rides and a street fair at USC Pardee Plaza. This event will result in the following street closures from 9:00 am until approximately 8:00 pm:
Exposition Boulevard between Figueroa Street. Vermont Avenue (East bound local traffic from Vermont Avenue to Watt Way and from Pardee Way to Figueroa Street is ok; Westbound traffic from Figueroa Street to Pardee Way and from Watt Way to Vermont Avenue is ok).
If you have any questions, please contact Rick McCormick at (213) 743-1668.
Thank you for your continued support.
Fight on!
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Post by rajacobs on Apr 23, 2012 13:09:28 GMT -8
www.metro.net/projects/exposition/metro-expo-line-grand-opening/Join us as we celebrate the opening of the Metro Expo Line. There'll be music, entertainment and family fun at four stations, plus free rides on the entire line between Downtown LA and the Westside. Enjoy these special activitiesSaturday, April 28, 10am-4pm- FREE! Live music
- FREE! On-stage karaoke
- FREE! Local dance and entertainment
- Tasty treats from food trucks and local eateries for purchase
Activity Locations- 7th St/Metro Center Station
- Expo Park/USC Station
- Expo/Crenshaw Station
- La Cienega/Jefferson Station
Bikes on ExpoEnjoy 5.9 miles of new bikeway, including bike lanes on Exposition Bl and Jefferson Bl between Vermont Av and La Cienega Bl, and a bike/pedestrian path between La Cienega/Jefferson Station and Culver City Station. All stations have bike racks for convenient bike parking.
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Post by carter on Apr 23, 2012 13:38:01 GMT -8
IIRC, the way it was explained to me is that a local train could pull into the siding track and the express train would continue through.
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Post by metrocenter on Apr 23, 2012 14:16:30 GMT -8
OK so anybody (Gokhan?) know which train will be the first one open to the public? It will be Saturday morning ~4AM, yes? From which station will it be departing? (7th/Metro? La Cienega? Or is it the 4:33 sweep train from USC/Expo Park?) Lastly, anybody interested in a pre-dawn meetup?
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Post by rajacobs on Apr 23, 2012 14:40:27 GMT -8
thesource.metro.net/2012/04/23/expo-opening-day-celebrations/Expo Line opens this Saturday with events being held at four stations along the line from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. All events are free to attend. 7th St/Metro Center Station - 7th Street between Figueroa and Hope Entertainment at this station will include Double Gee NineNet, a Latino jazz band presented by Make Music L.A., as well as other bands and performers. Booths will include those by IRIS from Cirque du Soleil, the Music Center, AQMD, L.A. Kings, L.A. Downtown News, Coca-Cola, Downtown Center Business Improvement District, Snap Yourself! photobooth, Colburn School of Music and many more. Expo Park/USC Station – Pardee Plaza at USC Entertainment at this station will include Brian Schwartz Quartet presented by Make Music L.A. and other performers. Booths will include those by the California Science Center, the California African American Museum, the Natural History Museum, USC Atheletics, Metro/LADOT Bicycle Program and many more. Expo/Crenshaw Station – West Angeles Church Parking Lot Entertainment at this station will include karaoke open to the public. Booths will include those by City Lites Network Inc., Lemiert Park Book Fair, Louisiana to Los Angeles Organizing Committee, Inc. and many more. La Cienega/Jefferson Station – Expo Station Parking Structure Entertainment at this station will include Derk Reklaw Cuzmo, an African jazz band presented by Make Music L.A., Fantastic Fig, a magician with a cat, karaoke and other performers. Booths will include those by Expo Construction Authority, Watts Village Theatre, KLOS/KABC radio and many more. So where's See's Candy In addition, a mime from 24th Street Theatre will be traveling along the line and performing at the 7th/Metro Center Station, the Expo Park/USC Station and the La Cienega/Jefferson Station. Portable restrooms also will be available at the four stations. Rides on the Metro Expo Line opening weekend will be free both days from 5 a.m. to 7 p.m. (Trains will run on a special schedule for the opening weekend.) Please note that the Farmdale and Culver City stations will not be open and will be bypassed by all trains. These two stations are still under construction and are set to open this summer. Regular fares will apply on all other Metro Rail, Metro Rapid and Metro Local bus lines. Visitors are encouraged to use public transit to get to the various events, as parking will be very limited during opening weekend. So come on out early and celebrate the opening of the Metro Expo Line!
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Post by bluelineshawn on Apr 23, 2012 15:27:50 GMT -8
OK so anybody (Gokhan?) know which train will be the first one open to the public? It will be Saturday morning ~4AM, yes? From which station will it be departing? (7th/Metro? La Cienega? Or is it the 4:33 sweep train from USC/Expo Park?) Lastly, anybody interested in a pre-dawn meetup? I'm interested. It looks like the first train is the 454 from 7th/metro*. I plan to drive to LAUS and take the red line to that first train. * Notice that you use "7th/metro" now too. Heh. You used to not like it, right?
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Post by Gokhan on Apr 23, 2012 15:50:13 GMT -8
OK so anybody (Gokhan?) know which train will be the first one open to the public? It will be Saturday morning ~4AM, yes? From which station will it be departing? (7th/Metro? La Cienega? Or is it the 4:33 sweep train from USC/Expo Park?) Lastly, anybody interested in a pre-dawn meetup? I'm interested. It looks like the first train is the 454 from 7th/metro*. I plan to drive to LAUS and take the red line to that first train. * Notice that you use "7th/metro" now too. Heh. You used to not like it, right? I sent an e-mail about it. I will let you know if I hear back.
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Post by Gokhan on Apr 23, 2012 15:52:16 GMT -8
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Post by tonyw79sfv on Apr 23, 2012 21:00:44 GMT -8
First Announcement: The final Expo Line Field Study is on Wednesday, April 18 at 10 a.m. If you are interested in getting in on the ride, please write. (info@thetransitcoalition.us). First preference is to TTC donors and supporters. A wait-list will be created for non-donors. Advise, if you'd like to join us on the Expo Line trip. Transit Coalition Metro Expo Line field study line ride videos: www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWS8zUMrc6c (part 1) www.youtube.com/watch?v=2G1kB-jI5Sw (part 2)
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Post by bzcat on Apr 24, 2012 10:17:47 GMT -8
Will Metro provide a bus bridge from La Cienega to Culver City?
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Post by rubbertoe on Apr 25, 2012 12:33:58 GMT -8
Culver City parking lot is now striped. It's one crudely done pavement, with uneven, thin, rough surface. The first rain may turn it into a war zone. It's actually much worse than that. This needs to be brought to Metro's attention, if it hasn't already. This is more like complete construction fraud. Check out these pictures. It isn't even really paved. It's like they covered the graded ground with a light coat of oil, and then in the areas where the cars will be they put down "maybe" 1" or less of actual asphalt. The "asphalt", for lack of a better word, has huge chunks of aggregate in it. And we don't need to wait for the rain, there is already a crop of something growing out of the "asphalt". I was sure this was just a preliminary coat, but then why would they bother striping it and putting in the concrete stubs for each space? This wouldn't even be acceptable in a third world country. For your viewing pleasure...
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Post by Alexis Kasperavičius on Apr 25, 2012 13:00:26 GMT -8
It might be that they are using a less permeable covering. I heard from someone that they are using "Rhino Snot" ( look it up) instead of asphalt. This keeps the dirt down, allows water to soak in and doesn't get as hot as asphalt. Maybe this is the new thing? Or it's possible they're just testing the striping configuration before the final layer. In parking lot of this size that is being plunked in such a heavy traffic area - perhaps they need to do some testing? A
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Post by joshuanickel on Apr 25, 2012 13:22:22 GMT -8
Culver City parking lot is now striped. It's one crudely done pavement, with uneven, thin, rough surface. The first rain may turn it into a war zone. It's actually much worse than that. This needs to be brought to Metro's attention, if it hasn't already. This is more like complete construction fraud. Check out these pictures. It isn't even really paved. It's like they covered the graded ground with a light coat of oil, and then in the areas where the cars will be they put down "maybe" 1" or less of actual asphalt. The "asphalt", for lack of a better word, has huge chunks of aggregate in it. And we don't need to wait for the rain, there is already a crop of something growing out of the "asphalt". I was sure this was just a preliminary coat, but then why would they bother striping it and putting in the concrete stubs for each space? This wouldn't even be acceptable in a third world country. For your viewing pleasure... Is it possible that there is a TOD in the planning stages where this parking lot is so it would get dug up in a few years and Metro decided not to put millions into something that would not be there long term? I know there has been talk in the past. Hence the additional money Culver city paid to strengthen the collums on the ariel structure to support underground parking.
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Post by rubbertoe on Apr 25, 2012 15:21:36 GMT -8
Joshua, Yes you may be right, I remember posting on this before. Here is the info. I believe this development is going to be right where that parking lot is...
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Post by rajacobs on Apr 25, 2012 15:54:04 GMT -8
My wife was really shocked at the parking lot surface when we walked by it (and on it) last night.
I remembered your earlier post, Rubbertoe and suggested that as an explanation. Nonetheless, it reminds me of the parking area of a lake my parents took me to in Ohio, when I was a kid! ...a temproary paving effort for the Summer that the Winter's snows would chew up.
After noting the prospect of a future project, I added, "And in what timeframe??? 2 years, 3 years, 5 years?" I have little confidence that paving will be appropriately redone or replaced by an underground parking garage and a TOD in the immediate future.
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outthere15
New Member
Take back the rails
Posts: 33
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Post by outthere15 on Apr 25, 2012 20:38:43 GMT -8
This is probably Pervious Pavement: From Wikipedia
Pervious concrete functions like a storm water infiltration basin and allows the storm water to infiltrate the soil over a large area, thus facilitating recharge of precious groundwater supplies locally. All of these benefits lead to more effective land use. Pervious concrete can also reduce the impact of development on trees. A pervious concrete pavement allows the transfer of both water and air to root systems allowing trees to flourish even in highly developed areas.
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Post by Gokhan on Apr 25, 2012 23:12:01 GMT -8
It is graded and compacted soil + a thin layer of gravel + a thin layer of asphalt. Is it permeable? Probably, quite a bit. Thinking about this, it will probably work. Potholes are caused by the pavement giving in. There is no pavement here; therefore, potholes cannot form. Is it rough? Yes. Can you drive fast on it? No. It's also kind of cute -- a rustic setting.
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