If you don’t mind my adding a bit more context, the Washington Metro had run in automated mode at one time. But, because of a spate of accidents, it was converted to operator control. The problem was found to be “crosstalk” of signals (one set of electrical impulses inside a cable bleeding onto another or others) and, as I understand it, was corrected.
Moreover, according to information I just recently learned, the Bay Area Rapid Transit system has the capability to be operated automatically, but for whatever reason, it was decided that each train should have an onboard operator.
And, lastly, the Phoenix metro area’s MetroRail system was built in the 1990s and the 20-mile-long, 28-station per-mile construction cost came out to $35 million per mile. That covered the cost of double-tracking, station facilities, a maintenance facility and storage yard and all of the trains purchased at the time. Total cost: $1.4 billion. The initial service opened in late 1997; it took on paying customers in early 1998, according to what I recall. All of it was surface running; no subsurface or elevated track.
Cost of construction for the Valley Metro Rail’s initial 20-mile-long, 28-station “starter line” was $70 million per mile, not the $35 million assertion that I had earlier indicated. My sincerest apologies!
Also appears my memory isn’t serving me as well as I thought. The Valley Metro Rail line in the Phoenix metro area actually celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 27, 1998, not in late 1997 as I had indicated earlier.
You know what we could do if we wanted to… at grade autonomous mass transit (BRT) with rail like priority. China already has something like it… they call it ART. We would need to be very opinionated about intersections to avoid slow downs from cars turning and probably add some pedestrian overpasses but it would be cheap as fuck. Cheaper than light rail.
“Some of Canada’s most recent projects have followed Goldwyn’s playbook.” What are the others? We have a string of bloated, overpriced and delay transit projects across the county. Places like Portugal are a model, not Canada alas.
You're right that there are plenty of examples of overpriced and delayed projects in Canada, especially recently. But the REM isn't the only positive example. Most of the SkyTrain system in Vancouver (until the Broadway subway) was built very cost effectively, as were the light rail systems in Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa.
So excited for your work and this day!
Congratulations on pub day!!
Congrats!
If you don’t mind my adding a bit more context, the Washington Metro had run in automated mode at one time. But, because of a spate of accidents, it was converted to operator control. The problem was found to be “crosstalk” of signals (one set of electrical impulses inside a cable bleeding onto another or others) and, as I understand it, was corrected.
Moreover, according to information I just recently learned, the Bay Area Rapid Transit system has the capability to be operated automatically, but for whatever reason, it was decided that each train should have an onboard operator.
And, lastly, the Phoenix metro area’s MetroRail system was built in the 1990s and the 20-mile-long, 28-station per-mile construction cost came out to $35 million per mile. That covered the cost of double-tracking, station facilities, a maintenance facility and storage yard and all of the trains purchased at the time. Total cost: $1.4 billion. The initial service opened in late 1997; it took on paying customers in early 1998, according to what I recall. All of it was surface running; no subsurface or elevated track.
Sorry, my mistake!
Cost of construction for the Valley Metro Rail’s initial 20-mile-long, 28-station “starter line” was $70 million per mile, not the $35 million assertion that I had earlier indicated. My sincerest apologies!
Also appears my memory isn’t serving me as well as I thought. The Valley Metro Rail line in the Phoenix metro area actually celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 27, 1998, not in late 1997 as I had indicated earlier.
You know what we could do if we wanted to… at grade autonomous mass transit (BRT) with rail like priority. China already has something like it… they call it ART. We would need to be very opinionated about intersections to avoid slow downs from cars turning and probably add some pedestrian overpasses but it would be cheap as fuck. Cheaper than light rail.
“Some of Canada’s most recent projects have followed Goldwyn’s playbook.” What are the others? We have a string of bloated, overpriced and delay transit projects across the county. Places like Portugal are a model, not Canada alas.
You're right that there are plenty of examples of overpriced and delayed projects in Canada, especially recently. But the REM isn't the only positive example. Most of the SkyTrain system in Vancouver (until the Broadway subway) was built very cost effectively, as were the light rail systems in Edmonton, Calgary, and Ottawa.