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Examiner Column: 111th Street Intersections

May
06
2010

What follows ran in today’s Edmonton Examiner as my monthly column. It follows up from this previous post.

I heard loud and clear that last week was challenging for many motorists encountering LRT on the south side, especially those who use 51 Avenue.

The transportation department remains focused on optimizing the performance of all intersections along 111 Street.

However, we all need to accept that these intersections will not operate like they did before the LRT opened.

The wait for left turns and east/west-bound traffic will be longer all up and down 111 Street. This was not a traffic engineering error.

The disruptions we saw at 51 Avenue last week were clearly the result of an error. Fortunately, last week’s traffic was moving better after a significant change to the signal timing.

I personally visited 51 Avenue several times during the first part of the week to see the problems for myself and understand the transportation department’s approach to the problem.

On the bright side, travelling north/south will be faster since that is the dominant flow of traffic and trains. In fact, a number of constituents have told me their commute by car up 111 Street is faster than before the train opened.

One way to think about this is that opening LRT is like building a six-lane freeway in terms of its capacity to move people, so when you’re crossing 111 Street in a sense it’s like crossing the equivalent of a 10-12 lane road.

Many have contacted me to ask why the major intersections were not tunneled under or bridged over, and the decision was made during the planning phase based on computer modeling of each intersection. Each grade separation costs millions to implement, and cause more serious disruption so they are used very sparingly.

Other citizens have asked whether the experience at these intersections will change the city’s intentions to run the new southeast-to-west line on the surface, including through downtown.

This is a fair question that we will have to explore. The initial plans involve limiting many of the left turns, which wasn’t done on the South LRT.

Feel free to contact me if you have any questions at 780-496- 8132 or at don.iveson@edmonton.ca.

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Posted in 2007-2010 Term, Road Maintenance, Transit | 4 Comments »

LRT Traffic Issues at 51 Ave

Apr
27
2010

Though the new extension of the South LRT has otherwise gotten off to a smooth start, there were significant problems at 51 Ave yesterday and again today. I’ve been in touch with the senior staff at the Transportation Department and they are keeping us apprised of their work and I visited the intersection twice during evening rush hour yesterday. I spoke to one bus driver who was delayed 21 minutes turning from westbound to southbound.

I received the following update from the Manager of Transportation Operations this afternoon which outlines significant changes that changes are being implemented and the timelines:

- signal phase structure is being modified – rather than separate eastbound and westbound phases, the east/west movements will occur at the same time, and then in turn east/west left turns will occur at the same time

- this change in phase structure will allow a reduction in the overall signal cycle from over 3 minutes to less than 2 minutes due to combining movements on the two pedestrian crossings, in combination with other signal phase duration changes

- in combination, these changes will minimize the risk of a signal phase being skipped more than once, however additional work needs to be done to further optimize the operation

- we are working with LRT to see if we can have a more regularized arrival pattern at the intersection – the current LRT train operation is highly random which affects phase skipping

- with the replacement of the central control computer later this summer, additional flexibility will be provided through the ability to more directly intervene in signal timings in the field

Instructions have been sent to EPCOR regarding the required changes with direction to implement as quickly as possible – worst case scenario will be some time tomorrow, but we will keep you posted once we have more information.

We did observe delays of up to 15 minutes in worst case for eastbound and also observed pedestrians crossing 111 St without waiting for the signals, both factors which are not acceptable and risky.

I can assure all those who have been impacted by this problem that resolving this is a top priority.

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Posted in 2007-2010 Term, Road Maintenance, Transit | 14 Comments »

Airport Transit: Getting There

Apr
21
2010

This follows up from a previous post of mine from last fall. Yesterday Council’s Transportation and Public Works Committee received this report and further debated the merits of transit service to the International Airport.

The City and County of Leduc are close to offering a commuter service to their citizens and employers that would connect to and/or through the airport. This service would most likely be operated by ETS as a charter, as is currently done for Spruce Grove and Ft. Saskatchewan, and would operate at peak hours only with a focus on moving commuters.

I argued that we have an narrow window of opportunity to leverage Leduc’s interest in providing transit for their citizens, and partner in a service which would also serve our citizens; this would compliment the Edmonton Regional Airport Authority’s interest in a relevant transit link from EIA to Century Park, which opens this week.

There was lengthy discussion about what the acceptable cost recovery would be for this service. Our ETS Advisory Board argued that while 100% cost recovery might be possible with only a 9% share of trips to and from the airport; capturing only 4% of those trips would match the usual cost recovery ratio of ETS service, which is around 43%. This assumes no contribution from the other municipalities or the airport authority, and a $2.50 charge each way. I’ve heard support for a higher cash fare as well, but pricing will be explored as part of any negotiations.

I believe we can effectively partner with the neighbouring municipalities and the Airport Authority, share any net cost of any service, establish a good precedent for regional collaboration, and make a stronger application for provincial Green Trip funding support. In that spirit, the motion which I proposed and was passed reads:

That the Transportation and Public Works Committee recommend to City Council that Administration approach the City of Leduc, the County of Leduc, the Edmonton Regional Airport Authority (and the Province as appropriate) to attempt to negotiate a partnership agreement and budget impacts for Council consideration that would implement peak and off-peak public transit service running direct from the Southern terminus of the LRT to the International Airport, building upon the potential ETS charter service serving the Capital Region Board partners and report back to the June 23, 2010, City Council meeting.

It’s not a done deal as this will doubtless get further debate at next week’s Council meeting, and then who knows how the negotiations will unfold.

Mack Male provided a nice summary here of some of the background. This is the Edmonton Journal story on the discussion. The Sun’s take is here.

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Posted in 2007-2010 Term, Capital Region, Transit | 6 Comments »

Airport Transit

Nov
18
2009

I’ve been pushing on this issue for some time, and finally we got to discuss the matter today at the Transportation and Public Works Committee. There were two reports:

The first report was from the Edmonton Transit System Advisory Board advocating that an ETS pilot project commence with the opening of LRT to Century Park. Some very interesting passenger survey information about attitudes toward airport transit which provided food for thought for the committee.

The second report was in response to my motion subsequent to the City Centre Airport closure decision that directed the city to work towards airport service with our regional partners and the airport authority.

Much has already been said about why this is important, so I’ll just say that this is one of those litmus tests of whether we’re a city or a town.

The following motion was passed, which should keep with idea moving with our regional partners, which is the preferred way of achieving this service, but provides for a Plan-B the regional plans stall or prove less than ideal for Edmontonians:

That Administration bring a report to TPW March 16 of 2010 providing:

1) known and proposed implementation details of the Capital Region Board inter-municipal transit plan, including specific details of how Edmontonians might connect to the International Airport

2) a commentary on the ETSAB report 2009CATR01 with an assessment of feasibility of the ETSAB proposal and recommendations for implementation of transit service to the airport in the event that the Capital Region Board initiative either won’t adequately serve Edmontonians or is delayed indefinitely.

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Posted in 2007-2010 Term, Capital Region, Transit | 11 Comments »

Smart Cards for ETS

Oct
19
2009

The infamous ETS Platinum has a smart card reader onboard.

The infamous ETS Platinum has a smart card reader onboard.

Tomorrow council’s Transportation and Public Works (TPW) Committee will discuss a report on the prospects for implementing a ’smart card’ system for paying fares on ETS. These are typically ‘contactless’ or ‘proximity’ systems where you simply wave the card past the reader.

The report responds to an inquiry I initiated a couple of months ago in anticipation of my rotation on to TPW for the next year.

I’ve been keen on this since having a great experience in London with the ‘Oyster Card‘ system on my honeymoon three years ago, and since working on the U-Pass negotiations and implementation in my former role working for students at the U of A.

These systems have much broader application as well, such as the ability to integrate with other civic and partner cards, for example Edmonton Public Library card, City rec facility access, parking access. In Asia many smart card systems also function as debit cards.

ETS has been conducting a pilot project with the U of A, who are also evaluation smart card systems for their One-Card, which illustrates some of the potential for partnerships with other institutions.

From the report:

A key benefit of smart cards is the improved operational efficiency due to simplified fare product and financial distribution channels. Agencies report better revenues due to re-designed fare strategies, value-added service features and convenience.   Other benefits include:

  • Better able to forecast service and market adjustments with real time travel and usage data
  • Improve use of all transit modes due to easier transfers
  • Deliver immediate benefits and changes to fares, etc. to users
  • Provide access to other municipal services
  • Accept other smart cards from banks, etc.

There are positive operating budget impacts outlined in the report as well:

  • reduce financial losses due to fare evasion
  • sell advertisement on the card (logos, etc.)
  • reduce costs associated with printing fare media and distribution
  • enable immediate changes to create a more efficient transit service based on real time commuter travel history
  • reduce some of the support needed for other fare systems (ie cash, tickets, etc.).

I would add the following as well:

  • Customer ease of use in terms of being able to recharge the card on-line or automatically.
  • Ability to manage zone fares easily, which will be more important as intermunicipal transit develops in the Capital Region.
  • Ability to deactivate if lost or stolen.

The report indicates a four year rollout with a $24 million price tag. The city’s auditor recommended in 2006 that the city persue this as the financial and operational benefits were strong. I’m hoping to give it a push forward tomorrow and get the formal business case prepared.

I’d like to see us get started on implementation soon. This isn’t leading edge stuff anymore. This is now an established practice.

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Posted in 2007-2010 Term, Transit | 7 Comments »

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