[Daveography]

Sean Amato‏ @JSJamato
.@CityofEdmonton Open House updating #yeg NW LRT. 'Til 830pm @ AB Aviation Mus. Construction could begin around @NAIT in 2019. @ctvedmonton

 

[Daveography]

Targeted fix for Edmonton's LRT woes now 'end of 2017'
Edmonton’s Metro Line LRT upgrades likely won’t be ready for September’s back-to-school rush, according to a memo posted recently for city council.

The target date to have all deficiencies addressed, trains upgraded and new software installed is now the “end of 2017.”

The troubles mean Clareview and northeast commuters will keep missing one in three trains, waiting 10 minutes for every third train instead of five minutes during peak hours. The previous deadline for full frequency was the more vague “2017, with no specific date.”

The Metro Line started running at full speed in February, but software troubles mean it’s still running at a reduced frequency. It can’t weave between the older Capital Line trains as intended.

The high-tech software is meant to allow trains to run 2.5 minutes apart, with the Metro Line slipping between the five-minute frequency Capital Line trains. Instead, officials are forced to divert every third train bound to Clareview to serve the Metro Line.

A note sent to council May 15 — posted online in July — updates all of Edmonton’s capital projects. In includes a reference to the Metro Line saying Thales Canada has “a target completion by the end of 2017.”

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/local-news/targeted-fix-for-edmontons-lrt-woes-now-end-of-2017

 

[Daveography]

Metro Line LRT faces cost overruns thanks to software woes: city report

The Kingsway Royal Alex LRT Station on the Edmonton Metro LRT Line. TOPHER SEGUIN / POSTMEDIA
Efforts to get the Metro Line LRT operating properly are taking up so much staff time, city officials are now warning council to expect cost overruns on the $655-million project.

A report Tuesday estimated a one-per-cent cost overrun, as officials now plan to spend $3.4 million extra to ensure Thales Canada gets the bugs out of the signalling system.

But Edmonton’s head of infrastructure, Adam Laughlin, said that’s really just a guess: “There’s a potential it’s between zero and 10 per cent on the basis of it being an extended project.”

The LRT line between downtown and NAIT was supposed to open in April 2014, with trains on auto-pilot weaving between trains on the existing Capital Line.

Instead, the Metro Line opened in September 2015 with slower trains at a reduced frequency. A Metro Line train now replaces every third train on the existing Capital Line, which means less service in Edmonton’s northeast.

Trains are running full speed now, but not full frequency.

The issue is the signalling system. Thales Canada is still working with city staff to upgrade software to get the new line and nearly 40-year-old Capital Line trains to interact properly.

The city is using the contract’s dispute resolution process to try to resolve those costs. Laughlin said he’s hopeful the city will recover the money.

 

[Das Ponto]

Endless it seems for this line...

 

[Daveography]

I know it's probably not that simple, but I hope at some point we recognize the "sunk cost fallacy" involved here and just start over with the signals and software...

Edmonton’s Metro LRT Line under speed restriction after crossing arm inexplicably lifted
Edmonton’s Metro LRT Line will be subject to speed restrictions until the city can fix a problem that caused a crossing arm to lift prematurely near NAIT Station on Monday.

On Friday, the branch manager of Edmonton Transit Service told Global News nobody was injured in the incident and that backup safety measures successfully kicked in.

“The first trip in the morning leaving NAIT Station, the Metro Line was departing that station heading towards Kingsway and as it was accelerating to leave, the gates that were activated for the crossing actually lifted as it was approaching and at that point, the mandatory brake application, or the fail-safe mode, enabled on the train and shut the train down,” Eddie Robar said, adding the incident occurred at 6:07 a.m.

The speed restrictions on the line were implemented on Thursday. When asked why the public wasn’t told about what happened, Robar said the city has protocol for when to announce LRT issues and this did not meet them.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3843431/...ction-after-crossing-arm-inexplicably-lifted/

City leaning on LRT drivers to catch software glitches

Recent signalling failures raised concerns about the safety of the Metro LRT line. (CBC)

Until signaling issues are resolved on Edmonton's Metro LRT line, the beleaguered route will once again run at reduced speed to give train drivers enough time to spot and override potentially dangerous glitches.
"We put the trust in the people who are safely operating those trains every day in the event that the software is malfunctioning," Mayor Don Iveson told CBC News Saturday.

"As far as I understand, the risks around the bugs that are in the system now can be safely overriden by the operator.

"If there was a serious safety issue, we would stop operation of the line."

Don Iveson said the city will withhold a $17 million dollar payment until the Metro LRT line signal contractor solves ongoing software issues. (Sebastien Tanguay/SRC)

A CBC News investigation uncovered at least two signaling failures since Metro Line trains were approved to run at full speed earlier this year.

On Monday, the crossing gate lifted at a busy intersection near the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, as a train approached. CBC News also confirmed another incident in July.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmon...e-safety-iveson-metro-line-glitches-1.4388139

Metro Line LRT trains running slower following signal failure

 

[darwink]

Cray Cray.

 

[Daveography]

Councillor wants investigation into safety of Metro Line LRT after 2 trains end up on 1 track

Two Metro Line LRT trains ended up on the same track near NAIT station on Saturday. One of the trains had to back up until it could switch onto the correct track. (Scott Neufeld/CBC)

An Edmonton city councillor wants an investigation to determine whether the beleaguered Metro Line LRT poses a risk to public safety after a pair of incidents near the NAIT Station on Saturday, including one that saw two trains running on the same track.

"If it's safe, then why are we having all these problems?" said Coun. Mike Nickel on Sunday.

"Are we at this point where this line is so dysfunctional, do we have to shut it down?"

The incidents on the weekend are the third and fourth mishaps this year to result from software system failures. On Oct. 30, the crossing arm lifted prematurely at a busy intersection near NAIT. CBC News has also confirmed an issue in July.

"If you don't call the Metro Line a failure at this point, I don't know what you would call it," Nickel said.

Nickel said he will make an inquiry at the city council meeting Tuesday calling for an investigation, and will also ask the city manager and city auditor to get involved.

"Obviously, I have some very grave safety concerns now surrounding the entire Metro Line," he said.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-metro-lrt-safety-1.4399706

Issues continue to plague Metro Line LRT, as train enters wrong track

An Edmonton Transit Service LRT train at the NAIT station in Edmonton, Alberta. November 20, 2015.
Kendra Slugoski, Global News
Global News has learned that on Saturday morning at around 6:30 a.m. a track signal failed at the NAIT LRT station.

“A southbound train entered a northbound track. Both of the trains stopped and there was no contact,” said city spokesperson Katherine Sweet.

“The trains couldn’t move in either direction. One of the trains had to back up until it got to a switch point where it could get back onto another track.”

There are no details about which train was forced to back up or how close the trains got to one another before they stopped.

There were passengers on both trains, though an exact number was not immediately available. Sweet said there was no delay in service and safety was not compromised.

“This is an issue with Thales, our signal contractor. We use their signal system. They are on site investigating what went wrong,” Sweet said.

Thales did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Metro Line LRT will operate at a slower speed until the signalling issues are resolved.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3856654/...e-metro-line-lrt-as-train-enters-wrong-track/

 

[Daveography]

Councillors want answers about Metro Line mishaps

Two Metro Line LRT trains going different directions ended up on the same track near NAIT station on Saturday. One of the trains had to back up until it could switch onto the correct track. (Scott Neufeld/CBC)

An Edmonton councillor wants details about a safety consultant's review earlier this year that rubber stamped the beleaguered Metro Line LRT.

In the latest of a series of problems with the line, a southbound train and a northbound train ended up on the same track Saturday near NAIT station.

The incident is one of four in the past six months, all reportedly caused by failures of the signalling software needed to operate the trains.

"Everyone had signed off," Coun. Andrew Knack said Monday. "Is this something that should have been caught in this [review] or is this something separate from that?"

Knack is one of several council members who want more information about the safety of the city's newest LRT line.

Coun. Bev Esslinger has asked that the issue be added to Tuesday's agenda.

"I want to ask some questions to ensure that we are meeting the safety requirements," she said.

"Do we have any safety concerns? How do we prevent what happened on Saturday from ever happening again?"

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-metro-lrt-signals-safety-1.4400309

 

[Daveography]

This is going to dominate the news cycle for a bit I think...

Officials unsure if year-end deadline for fixing Metro Line problems will be met
The trouble-plagued Metro Line LRT is poised to blow through another deadline after city officials said Tuesday the route might not reach full operation by year’s end as promised.

A memo to councillors last spring gave an “end of 2017” target date to have all deficiencies addressed, trains upgraded and new software installed, the so-called Plan A.

But after signalling errors directed two trains entering NAIT station Saturday to the wrong track, city manager Linda Cochrane said the completion date is in doubt.

“Given that this is November and we had an unplanned activity on the weekend, I’m just wondering how feasible it is,” Cochrane said while updating city council about the incidents.

“I’m worried about the promise made to you about (Plan) A at the end of the year.”

Signalling woes delayed the opening of the Metro Line for more than a year to September 2015 and trains didn’t begin running at full speed until last February.

Although high-tech software is meant to allow trains to run 2-1/2 minutes apart, with the Metro Line slipping between the Capital Line trains, every third train bound for Clareview is instead being diverted to serve the Metro Line.

While Cochrane insisted the line is safe, she described last weekend’s incidents as “significant.”

Coun. Michael Walters asked whether the line will ever run as designed, saying citizens are questioning if the signal system can be salvaged.

However, Cochrane told him she wants to discuss options during a closed-door council meeting Dec. 5 that will include input from city lawyers.

http://edmontonjournal.com/news/loc...ays-tough-decisions-on-lrts-metro-line-coming

Councillors grill city administrators over Metro Line LRT safety

City says safety 'not at risk' after signal error sent LRT down wrong track

 

[tele75]

What a sh*t-show.

 

[Daveography]

Metro line has seen 49 safety-related incidents since it opened in fall 2015: city report

KEVIN TUONG / METRO WEB UPLOAD
A file photo of the Metro Line at the Kingsway/Royal Alex station in Edmonton.

A new city report on the Metro line says there have been 49 safety-related events relating to the embattled LRT line since it opened to the public back in 2015.

That includes times trains ended up on the wrong tracks, or safety gates and lights failed to function as designed.

But city administration told reporters Friday that despite the report, which was requested by city council last month, riders shouldn’t be worried about taking the LRT.

“A large portion of those, 44 of them, the system went into a mode which we call fail-safe where it goes into a safe response to an incident,” said Deputy City Manager Adam Laughlin.

There were four incidents where passengers were at “increased risk,” however, including the time back in November when that two trains ended up on one track outside of the NAIT station.

Laughlin said that was the result of signalling issues, but maintained the system is still safe.

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...since-it-opened-in-fall-2015-city-report.html

50 Metro Line mishaps alarming, Edmonton councillor says

In five cases, crossing gates or lights on the Metro Line LRT failed to go up or down at the appropriate time, a city report says. (CBC)

A report released Friday reveals more problems with Edmonton's Metro Line LRT, showing at least six major malfunctions — and 44 signaling mishaps — since 2015.

In five cases, crossing gates or lights on the LRT line failed to activate at the proper time, causing "a potentially hazardous situation to exist," the report says.

Coun. Mike Nickel is challenging the city on its position that the line is still safe.

In the cases where the gates and lights did not activate, "that means the train was going to go through a live intersection," he said Friday.

"Should we be alarmed? I am."

In addition to the 44 signalling failures, there were two instances when northbound and southbound trains ended up on the same track Nov. 11.

The city didn't rank these among the major mishaps.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-s-metro-line-lrt-1.4428539

Metro Line sees 49 safety-related incidents in 2 years of operating: report

 

[Daveography]

Metro LRT Line issues spark calls for radical change
https://globalnews.ca/video/3893007/metro-lrt-line-issues-spark-calls-for-radical-change/

 

[Daveography]

'Out of patience': City gives signalling company deadline to fix Metro Line problems

KEVIN TUONG / EDMONTON FREELANCE
Capital Line LRT Dec 5

Finally fed up, Edmonton's city council laid down the law Tuesday, giving Thales Rail Signalling Solutions until April next year to finally fix the Metro Line.

The LRT line has been plagued with problems since it opened in 2015.

“A deadline is in order at this point because I am out of patience,” said Mayor Don Iveson.

The signalling system, which is also known as a communication based train control (CBTC), was contracted out to Thales in May, 2011 and originally scheduled to be installed on the Metro Line by December, 2013.

However, the company has missed deadline after deadline, and now, two years after opening to riders, the signalling system still isn't working properly

Iveson said if the company is not able to fix the signalling system by April, there will be "legal consequences."

http://www.metronews.ca/news/edmont...pany-deadline-to-fix-metro-line-problems.html

 

[Daveography]

'Fix it already': Edmonton mayor warns Metro Line company

Since Sept. 6, 2015, the city has been forced to run the trains at half-speed due to safety issues caused by software provided by the signalling system contractor, Thales. (CBC)

Edmonton city council is demanding the company behind the Metro Line LRT's signalling system fix the problems by the spring, or face consequences.

Council voted unanimously at a meeting Tuesday to give Thales a deadline of April 30, 2018 to bring the line up to full functionality, known as "Plan A" in the city's contract.

The trains have sometimes been running at reduced speeds and reduced frequency since the line went into operation in September 2015.

"Fix it already," Mayor Don Iveson said. "This is the last chance to deliver, otherwise there will be serious consequences."

Mayor Don Iveson said council and the public have run out of patience with the problems on the Metro Line. (CBC)

The line was scheduled to start running in December 2013, but problems with the signalling system delayed the opening date until September 2015.

Edmonton has been withholding a payment of $17 million to the company since then.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/edmonton-mayor-metro-line-thales-1.4434716

Signalling contractor has until April 30 to fix Metro Line mess: Edmonton City Council
Edmonton city councillors passed a motion on Tuesday calling for Thales, the contractor behind the signalling system for the problem-plagued Metro LRT Line, to fix any outstanding bugs and glitches.

“We’ve asked in the motion for a Plan C… to say, you know, ‘What other signal systems could be put in place if the contractor cannot deliver by April 30?'” Mayor Don Iveson said after the vote. “‘What sort of other options do we need to protect for keeping the trains moving no matter what?'”

A recent report detailed issues experienced by the Metro Line over the past two years, including 49 instances of signalling problems. In November alone, the problematic line saw two trains, going in opposite directions, end up on the same track and a crossing arm inexplicably go up as a train was coming. There were no injuries reported as a result of any of the instances.

Tuesday’s lengthy discussion about the LRT line amongst city councillors began in private before moving to public debate. One of the issues brought up was how the Metro Line’s signalling system is so unique and how that relates to the fact it is a ground-level line. Councillor Tony Caterina asked a city administrator how the ground-level nature of the line related to what the city ordered from Thales.

“How was this system chosen given that there is no other system like this anywhere?” Caterina asked, “when we knew at the time that it was meant for elevated or underground systems?”

“Council’s direction has been urban LRT which is at-grade… those sorts of things,” said Adam Laughlin, the city’s deputy manager for integrated infrastructure services. “So I won’t comment on if we should be building a tunnel or above ground, but the technology is certainly proven in those types of situations where there’s an elevated train or subway.”

The Metro Line ran into issues before even opening. Trains were initially supposed to start running along the track in April 2014 but that was delayed until September 2015.

Iveson indicated if Thales doesn’t have all the signalling kinks ironed out by the April 30 deadline, there could be legal consequences.

https://globalnews.ca/news/3899161/...to-fix-metro-line-mess-edmonton-city-council/

 

[darwink]

Biting the bullet and upgrading the entire system to the same standard should be the objective, as it needs to be done either now or when headways need to be pushed down further. Probably in the $50 million range for a full modernization/replacement. They could always just build the Metro Line out as a fixed block system (at its current headways, should be fairly simple with six blocks (station approaches, Royal Alex sections, tunnel and Grant Mac sections) but that would need to be replaced soon enough.