Overview

Integration of LRT in the Urban Environment

WHY?

2015 20502030

2.5+billion

50%

60%

75%

22/02/2017 3

UrbanizationTrendsinG20Countries,1950-2010

THEN………

AND NOW

General Trends

• Mode shares of public transport declining

• Deteriorating quality/lack of alternatives

• Increasing traffic congestion

• Air quality

• Noise

• Emissions

• Promotion of Public Transport and NMT

• Barriers

• A Strong Public Transport Hierarchy is

Essential

22/02/2017 7

URBAN TRANSPORT INTERVENTIONS CITIES

London

ZurichNetwork density 3.0 Km network per sq kmLine density 4.9 Km lines per sq kmDensity of stops 5.6 Stops per sq kmService density 2440 Departures from stops on weekdays per sq km

Allen Nie, PhD, PE, PTOE, Richard Davies, CEng

LRT and Roadway Traffic Integration

• Merced Station Planning• Merced heavy maintenance center• Gilroy Station Planning• Transbay Center• Palmdale Alignment

• Station Area Vision• Analysis• Market conditions

• Parking

• Fiscal impacts

• Circulation• Land use and economic activity

analysis

• Alternative design concepts for station area

• Station Area Plan that provides roadmap for future

• Land use development

• Circulation improvements

• Public services improvements

• Implementation and financing plan

• LRT integrated modeling approach (LIMA)• Light rail, street cars, tram, bus rapid transit• Build on• Microsimulation model (VISSIM)

• Customized train operation model (DLL)

• Customized signal control model s (both train and traffic):• Support user defined control and priority logic

• Post-processing data engine• Interfaces with other software packages

Interaction Causes Delay & Safety Issues

Balance Different Needs

“… timing level LRT crossing requires a delicate balance ...”

Existing Tools Are Limited

“ …The solutions always represented either the rail or the highway, never a solution for both..” --Gordon Head, Deputy Rail Practice Leader, HMM

Implementation – Interface Programming

Train Dynamics

Train Signaling Communication

LIMA

Traffic Signals Control

Analysis & Reporting

VISSIM Traffic Simulation Model

“…[LIMA] allows us to replicate and predict real-world operation with the absolute best accuracy possible. The integration will be invaluable in allowing us to test further planned operational changes quickly and easily within the model, before we implement them in reality …”

-- Jodie Marcyniuk Calgary City Traffic Engineer

• Green Line LRT, Sacramento, California• Crenshaw LRT, Los Angles, California• Valley Line LRT , Edmonton , Alberta, Canada• I-225 LRT , Denver, Colorado• Downtown LRT Signaling, Calgary, Alberta• Green Line LRT, Calgary, Alberta• Surrey LRT, Surrey, BC• Flinders Street Metro Tram, Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne

• Capital of Victoria

• Iconic Tram Network

• Worlds most ‘Liveable City’

• Home to nearly 6 million people

• Forecast 7 million people in next 15

years

A Metro system which delivers a high quality user experience, shapes Melbourne’s growth and identity and connects people with important destinations and is enjoyed by all of Melbourne’s residents and visitors

Capital Value AUD 11bnStation components AUD 3bn

Melbourne Tram Network

• Largest tram network in the world

• Approx. 250km of double track

• 474 trams in service run 31,400 scheduled

weekly tram services.

• 26 tram routes

• 1739 single tram stops (approx. 870 pairs of

tram stops)

• 405 stops provide level access

• 2,100+ employees

• 31,500 weekly services

• 3.5 million passenger trips per

week

More Typical Operation

• 80% of trams operate in

a shared environment

• Average tram speed is

16km/h across the

network and 10km/h in

CBD

• 17% of time spent at

traffic signals

Station usage c. 30 million people per year(cf London waterloo c. 100 million people per year, Manchester Piccadilly c.25 million people per year)

Flinders Street Station

Rebalancing Public Space

STEPS

• Pedestrian Analysis

• First Application in

Melbourne

• Full 3D modelling (stairs ramps

etc)

• BIM Import

• Grid Based Approach

• Adopted for Precinct

and Station Planning

• Construction and

Legacy

NET2

What is NET2§ NET2 = Nottingham Express

Transit Phase 2

§ Expansion of the existing tram system

§ More than doubles the size of the existing system

§ 17km of new track

§ 28 new tram stops

§ Increase the amount of trips across system to 23 million per year

§ 2 new Park and Ride facilities

The Route

Existing Line

Beeston Line

Clifton Line

Timeline

§ Started work on preparation for TWAO and production of the Transport Assessment for the Promoter in 2002

§ Assisted the promoter with the successful Public Inquiry in 2008

§ Worked on the Advanced Design for the Promoter from 2009 to early 2011

§ Commenced the Detailed Design from 2011 to late 2013

§ Currently providing site support during the construction and testing stages

Tram signals44 Signalised Junctions / Pedestrian Crossings

37 with tram

7 without tram

Possible levels of priority§ Level 1: The tram stage operates in sufficient time so that

the tram incurs no delay (subject to forward visibility and track geometry).

§ Level 2: The tram stage is inserted into the cycle as soon as the stage during which the tram is detected has satisfied its stage minimum value and the required intergreen has elapsed.

§ Level 3: The stage during which the tram is detected operates for its normal duration; the tram stage is then inserted into the cycle.

§ Level 4: The tram stage operates at one fixed slot during the cycle only.

Tram detector loop

10m long

Located between tracks

Loop connection

4 detector loops

§ Pre-Advance loop.

§ Advance loop.

§ Stop Line loop.

§ Cancel loop on the exit of the junction.

Four loop detection system

Pre-Advance Loop

§ Prepare the loop for the arrival of the tram.

§ Often set a long way back from the stop line.

§ May initiate an immediate move to a phase to clear the traffic in front of the arriving tram, or may service a particular phase or phases that are important not to miss out during a cycle.

§ Distance of this loop is dependent on complexity of the junction, length of phase, clearance times and speed of tram.

Advance Loop

§ Demand the tram phase and/or the tram proceed signal depending on whether the junction has been prepared to the phase the tram runs in.

§ Distance to this loop from the junction will depend on the time required to change to the right of way phase and the tram approach speed.

§ Important that the tram proceed signal is displayed before it arrives at the stop line and it does not need to slow down.

§ This loop is typically about 7 seconds distance away.

Stopline Loop

§ Two functions.

§ First function is to cancel the tram proceed signal and to instigate a tram clearance period.

§ Second function is to provide a demand for the tram if the earlier loops have failed or the tram has been delayed.

Cancel Loop

§ Used to cancel any extended tram clearance period and move the traffic signal controller back from tram priority mode to normal operation.

§ Important as it allows the junction to operate more efficiently rather than operating a larger fixed clearance period.

TRTS

§ Tram Ready to Start

§ Used at locations where a tramstop is on the approach to the traffic signals.

§ TRTS button is activated by the tram driver and is treated by the signals in the same way as an Advance loop demand.

§ In Nottingham the TRTS button is also used to provide a directional request at locations where the track splits.

Intergreens

Tram Intergreen

16.5m (max.) 33 - 36m

§ Standard TAL 1/06 does not consider tram Intergreen Timings

§ Trams are longer in length

§ Tram phases do not have a 2 second starting amber period

§ Tram phases have a 5 second leaving Red / Amber period

Solution

§ “Tram Clearance Time Calculation” methodology produced

§ Calculation:-

§ Result = Intergreen very long which results in increased delay at the junction

§ Tram detection used to end the intergreen time early

QuickGreen

§ Record of calculations

§ Auditable trail

Lesson’s Learned

§ Understand the Local Highway Authorities requirement's

§ Everybody has an agenda

Lesson’s Learned

§ Tram detection is key to ensure priority for the tram

§ One size doesn’t fit all…. Be flexible!

§ It takes longer than you think