More questions about Edmonton’s Metro Line LRT following big reveal
It is a piece of information that’s left one councillor “appalled” and another who describes the revelation as a “big surprise.”

On Tuesday, Edmonton City Council learned the Metro Line LRT signal system developed by Thales is best suited for above or below-ground mass transit — not a surface-based line.

“Really, I’m surprised that it happened,” Councillor Tony Caterina said.
“Going back to 2010, how would someone make that decision to use an unproven technology that wasn’t meant for this particular system?” Caterina now questions.

It was the Ward 7 representative who broached the subject during a council meeting. Deputy city manager Adam Laughlin confirmed the Thales signal system the city bought “is predominately used for systems that aren’t crossing at grade road crossings or pedestrian crossings.”

“It hadn’t been quite described like that before,” Ward 2 Councillor Bev Esslinger said.
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https://globalnews.ca/news/3901285/...dmontons-metro-line-lrt-following-big-reveal/
 
Metro Line NW LRT Extension Open House Series
January 22, 2018

Residents are invited to learn more about the Metro Line Northwest LRT Extension project, and to help plan for LRT and the future of their community.

Date: Tuesday, January 23, 2018
Time: 11 a.m - 1 p.m and 5:30 - 7:30 p.m.
Location: Castle Downs Family YMCA lobby, 11510 153 Avenue

Date: Thursday, January 25, 2018
Time: 5:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Shaw Theatre Lobby, NAIT Main Campus, 11762 106 Street
*If parking at NAIT, attendees will be reimbursed for parking*

The Metro Line NW LRT Extension will play a key role in improving mobility and access to existing and new neighbourhoods in the north and northwest areas of the city.

The project will extend the current Metro Line LRT from a new station at NAIT, north through Blatchford to connect to key activity centres along 113A Street and then west along 153 Avenue to Campbell Road. The extension will occur in two phases: Phase One - NAIT to Blatchford, Phase Two - Blatchford to Campbell Road. Phase One will be construction procurement-ready by the end of 2018.

For more information:
edmonton.ca/MetroNW

Media contact:
Beth Padfield
Communications Advisor
LRT Delivery
780-496-5010
 
Tracks in trenches: City takes new north LRT design to the public
Tracks for the north LRT extension could run in trenches to cross under as many as five key intersections.

The decision would significantly increase the cost of the $1.8-billion line, but would reduce the impact on traffic where the track crosses 137 Avenue, 127 Street, 142 Street, Campbell Road and the intersection of 153 Avenue with 113A Street.

The designs will be on display at several open houses Tuesday and Thursday, and online after, including one design where trenches are dug to carry the LRT train under covered intersections. City officials want public feedback on the plan.

Officials are also hoping to confirm public support for each of nine station locations, the position of the LRT track in the middle of 113A Street and 153 Avenue, and public reaction to a plan to leave the existing tracks across Princess Elizabeth Avenue as is.

The status quo was one of four options city officials considered to fix perceived traffic issues at the intersection with 106 Street, where tie-ups left council gobsmacked the day the Metro Line LRT opened.

But traffic has improved since then, Nat Alampi, director for LRT infrastructure delivery, said Monday: “Most of the traffic is getting through that intersection in a single light.”

The team looked at tunnelling or raising the track, or realigning it onto Kingsway Mall property. The options go to council March 21.
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http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...city-takes-new-north-lrt-design-to-the-public
 
Edmonton exploring idea of trenches for northwest LRT expansion
Tracks for the Metro Line northwest LRT expansion project could run in trenches at several busy intersections, as a way of avoiding traffic congestion.

The idea of using trenches for the rail lines is being presented at a few open houses in Edmonton this week.

Trenching would see trains go below ground, but not completely underground.

LRT tracks would be built into trenches under covered intersections where the track crosses 137 Avenue, Castle Downs, 127 Street, 142 Street and the intersection of 153 Avenue with Castle Downs Road.

The city estimates more than 34,000 vehicles travel along 137 Avenue every day.

The City of Edmonton said while at-grade LRT is better for urban design, environment and construction feasibility, the trenched option is better for traffic flow and network operations.
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https://globalnews.ca/news/3982257/edmonton-exploring-idea-of-trenches-for-northwest-lrt-expansion/
 
Councillor pitches artificial intelligence to reduce LRT congestion
Artificial intelligence built into new high-tech traffic signals could be a solution to Edmonton’s LRT-related congestion issues, argues a west-end councillor.

Ward 1 Coun. Andrew Knack is looking for council support for a new study and series of pilot projects, hoping to learn from cities such as Pittsburgh. Smart traffic signals there reduced travel time by 25 per cent and idling time by over 40 per cent, according to Rapid Flow Technologies, the company responsible.

The company believes its system — a network of 50 intersections — also reduces vehicles emissions by 21 per cent because it cuts down on idling.

“It’s not because vehicles are moving faster, but they’re stopping less,” said Steve Smith, Carnegie Mellon University professor of robotics and Rapid Flow CEO.
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http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...ificial-intelligence-to-reduce-lrt-congestion
 
Edmonton council approves money for Metro Line, and possible new signalling system
Edmonton city council has approved more funding related to the Metro Line but won't say how much the chronic problems will cost taxpayers.

After weeks of private discussions about the city's contract with Thales, the company behind the signalling system, council emerged with the news Wednesday.

Mayor Don Iveson said paying consultants was one cost the city has had to incur.

"As time piles up, there are additional costs — a lot of staff time on the city side to try to manage the contract, manage the process."

Council also approved a budget for what it called Plan B, some kind of alternative signalling system if Thales doesn't fix the problems.

Adam Laughlin, manager of the city's infrastructure department, said the city is making progress on developing that Plan B.

"It's compressed schedule, obviously to get that in place," he told media after the council meeting. "We've taken some steps to start some action."
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-metro-line-thales-1.4742964
 
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Metro Line NW LRT extension information sessions
September 13, 2018

The Metro Line Northwest LRT Extension will play a key role in improving mobility and access to existing and new neighbourhoods in the north and northwest areas of the city.

Learn more about the project, including the City’s grade separation recommendations (tracks above, below or at street-level) and initial results of the summer online survey. Administration’s final recommendations will be taken to City Council for approval as part of a non-statutory public hearing on November 6, 2018.

Date: Thursday, September 13
Time: 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. (drop-in)
Location: Spruce Avenue Community League, 10240 115 Avenue

Date: Tuesday, September 18
Time: 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 5 - 7 p.m. (drop-in)
Location: Castle Downs Family YMCA lobby, 11510 153 Avenue

The project will extend the current Metro Line LRT from a new station at NAIT, north through Blatchford to connect to key activity centres along 113A Street and then west along 153 Avenue to Campbell Road. The extension will occur in two phases: Phase One - NAIT to Blatchford, Phase Two - Blatchford to Campbell Road. Phase One will be construction procurement-ready by the end of 2018.

For more information:
edmonton.ca/MetroNW

Media contact:
Beth Padfield
Communications Advisor
LRT Delivery
780-496-5010
 
Saw a video at the spruce avenue info session full of renderings of the line. It was pretty good! :)

 
Also, I think that the walker bridge will become a big tourist attraction and the dog park will definitely become a focal point for photos of the city in the future. very nice bridge.
 
New Metro Line LRT signalling system ready to go today: Thales Canada
Thales Canada officials say they’re ready today to flip the switch on a new signalling system that would restore Edmonton’s LRT network to proper frequency.

There’s just one problem. The city isn’t convinced.

Thales vice-president Dave Beckley sat down with Postmedia Thursday to share details on testing that’s been ongoing all summer. He said his company believes the signalling system is robust and the city’s motormen and inspectors are ready. It’s now a matter of convincing city officials to trust their investment.

“After our demonstration in August, we believe the system could be turned on,” he said.

They are continuing to test the system and are scheduling another major full-system demonstration for early November. But as for returning the entire LRT network to full frequency, that could happen now, he said. “We believe the system can be running.”
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https://edmontonjournal.com/news/lo...alling-system-ready-to-go-today-thales-canada
 
Hmmmmm maybe we will finally have a conclusion hmmmmmm….

But in all seriousness, I am happy that they have finally figured out something to most likely solve this whole kerfuffle. I didn't even know they were planning to run automated trains on this route!
 
Well, if the signalling system was originally based on counting the wheel rotations to determine the location, and to stop the train from doing something unsafe, all the pieces existed to do automation. I wonder what system they ended up deciding to use to determine location accurately enough? Fortunately for Calgary when we decide to upgrade, we can now buy a fully modern proven system. Thanks Edmonton :)
 
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