Calgary's $8 BILLION Transit Plan - The RouteAhead

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by charper

Overall I think the plan is a good start. They're doing the right things with engagement and the consultation component is taking an innovative approach which is refreshing and a welcome departure from the open house approach.

That said, plans are only as good as they are implemented. Clearly there will need to be a mechanism in place to be able to tweak the plan so that it can respond to emerging requirements.

The first test of Route Ahead will be the SETWAY and eventual LRT. As the NCLRT seems to be prioritized behind the SETWAY, it will be interesting to see how Route Ahead informs those decisions and whether the plan will actually be a plan, or just a suggestion.

Prioritization hasn't happened yet. Council discussed the evaluation criteria that will be applied to determine prioritization and sequencing, which feeds into Transportation's overall capital planning (TIIP or "Investing in Mobility")

The plan will be "living" i.e. it will be continually updated throughout its life based on different inputs (such as changes in the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan) and particularly by funding realities. It's also important to note that while the network plan is certainly the sexiest part of the plan, it's a full stratagic plan for Calgary Transit that touches on absolutely every aspect of its operations - Everything from bus stop design to fare strategies to delay notifications to governing structure.

[HotHotHeat]

This is great and all, but maybe they should focus on adding more than ONE through lane on Crowchild Northbound over the river? That stretch is becoming unusable between 4pm-7pm.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

By Calgary's definition - fully exclusive right-of-way (transitway) vs. not (BRT).

By most of the rest of the world's definition - there is no difference.

It should be said that the proposals for the transitways in Calgary all look a bit different too. 17th Ave SE is centre lane transitway, with level crossings at intersections. The SETWAY might have some elevated sections, and will be much more grade separated. The 14th St SW one will be on one side of the road, with some grade separations at key intersections.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Also, why doesn't the 17th Ave transit way reach all the way to the 52nd St BRT?

Edit: I see the schedule says until hubalta road, which is east of 52nd.

Yeah, lots of discussion about that in Council today. Plan/Map will be altered to reflect that conversation.

17th Avenue is one "transitway" in particular that could/likely will convert from bus to LRT at some point - especially if Chestemere grows as they plan to.

[frinkprof]

Not to take away from the Route Ahead network that Bunk has posted, but here is a network that Transit Camp (a citizens' advocacy group I'm involved in) pitched just over a year ago for comparison/contrast:

Spoiler!

Hopefully this adds to the discussion.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

This is great and all, but maybe they should focus on adding more than ONE through lane on Crowchild Northbound over the river? That stretch is becoming unusable between 4pm-7pm.

That's being looked at. A big chokepoint in the skeletal road network. Bow-Crow interchange is a mess.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Not to take away from the Route Ahead network that Bunk has posted, but here is a network that Transit Camp (a citizens' advocacy group I'm involved in) pitched just over a year ago for comparison/contrast:

Spoiler!

Hopefully this adds to the discussion.

There are certainly a lot of similarities. And I know TransitCamp's plan had influence on the RouteAhead scheme.

[Bunk]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'd like to see a NW to NE connector train.

If you look at the map, you'll notice one dashed line emanating from the Airport west. This is because it's entirely possible that the "airport rail" connection could go west as well as east - connecting the NCLRT all the way to the NELRT. If High Speed Rail to Edmonton ever happens that rail link west from the airport would be a certainty I would think.

[charper]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Prioritization hasn't happened yet. Council discussed the evaluation criteria that will be applied to determine prioritization and sequencing, which feeds into Transportation's overall capital planning (TIIP or "Investing in Mobility")

The plan will be "living" i.e. it will be continually updated throughout its life based on different inputs (such as changes in the Municipal Development Plan and Calgary Transportation Plan) and particularly by funding realities. It's also important to note that while the network plan is certainly the sexiest part of the plan, it's a full stratagic plan for Calgary Transit that touches on absolutely every aspect of its operations - Everything from bus stop design to fare strategies to delay notifications to governing structure.

Yep, totally agree. $8 billion is a sure headline. Governance and operations are very impactful upon the day-to-day experience.

The prioritization I'm referring to is the time horizon graphic. It seems to suggest a prioritization based on the time horizons and where the various projects fall.

I was only able to watch intermittent parts of the Special Meeting today (gotta pay the bills!) but it's good to know that evaluation criteria was discussed.

The living document is appropriate, but that flexibility needs to have the criteria clearly established. For example, at the September 10, 2012 meeting of Council item 7.1 was a land-use re-designation to make a DC into an R-1S where the future extension of the WLRT would be approximately 2km away. The re-designation was still passed despite the MDP resulting in a low density zoning with close proximity to future LRT.

At the end of the day, we can have all the criteria established, but it still comes down to the votes. Consensus will be needed and commitment to the criteria from Council.

[Bunk]

^ Absolutely - maybe you should run for Council or something to make sure it happens

[charper]

Originally Posted by Bunk

^ Absolutely - maybe you should run for Council or something to make sure it happens

Haha. I already did.

[You Need a Thneed]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Yeah, lots of discussion about that in Council today. Plan/Map will be altered to reflect that conversation.

17th Avenue is one "transitway" in particular that could/likely will convert from bus to LRT at some point - especially if Chestemere grows as they plan to.

More of a tram style LRT, in that case.

[HELPNEEDED]

Lol 30years? Calgary is going to out grow those plans in the next 15years

[SeeBass]

Originally Posted by frinkprof

Not to take away from the Route Ahead network that Bunk has posted, but here is a network that Transit Camp (a citizens' advocacy group I'm involved in) pitched just over a year ago for comparison/contrast:

Spoiler!

Hopefully this adds to the discussion.

Ok that one I like

[SebC]

Add me to the chorus who thinks there's no way the 8th Ave Subway should wait that long. The whole network will be choked until we build it.

[YYC in LAX]

This will be like when Thomas Wayne built the monorail to connect all parts of Gotham City together for cheap and rapid transportation.

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by HotHotHeat

This is great and all, but maybe they should focus on adding more than ONE through lane on Crowchild Northbound over the river? That stretch is becoming unusable between 4pm-7pm.

This is easily solved. The city should just connect the 2 Sarcee trails like originally planned. a big ass bridge going from Patterson to Silver Springs!!! awesome!

[FireFly]

God forbid you live in the NW and want to get to the airport easily... WTF?

[Bertuzzied]

Originally Posted by FireFly

God forbid you live in the NW and want to get to the airport easily... WTF?

I hope they aren't outlawing cars in the future... hehe

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by FireFly

God forbid you live in the NW and want to get to the airport easily... WTF?

No doubt. Figure there would be some sort of crosstown BRT that'll connect you to the airport line.

EDIT: Woah, I just realized the timeline on the 8th Ave Subway. No way that is a realistic timeline. We need that tunnel now.