News & Discussion: O-Bahn

[SouthAussie94]

Are the tracks bi-directional? Could the track be refurbished in such a way that buses could continue to use the route in the peak direction while the parallel track is closed?

[Norman]

Are the tracks bi-directional? Could the track be refurbished in such a way that buses could continue to use the route in the peak direction while the parallel track is closed?

They could be, but because the tracks are so close together it will be too dangerous to have workers working and buses travelling by at the same time. You could have a work pause during peak hour though?

When the grass around the track is being mowed the department usually closes parts of the track for a full day.

[Hooligan]

they spent all that money on building a tunnel through Rymill Park, they're not going to completely neglect or phase out O-Bahn any time soon

This.

Does everyone who wants the O-Bahn ripped up not remember all the money spent on that tunnel less than 10 years ago?

[Patrick_27]

they spent all that money on building a tunnel through Rymill Park, they're not going to completely neglect or phase out O-Bahn any time soon

This.

Does everyone who wants the O-Bahn ripped up not remember all the money spent on that tunnel less than 10 years ago?

The tunnel is not at all redundant without the O'Bahn, can still be used for N/E bus routes.

[Spotto]

they spent all that money on building a tunnel through Rymill Park, they're not going to completely neglect or phase out O-Bahn any time soon

This.

Does everyone who wants the O-Bahn ripped up not remember all the money spent on that tunnel less than 10 years ago?

The tunnel is not at all redundant without the O'Bahn, can still be used for N/E bus routes.

The tunnel is designed exclusively for O-Bahn buses, it would need modification to remove the track guides to make it suitable for non-O-Bahn buses.

[Waewick]

I know its expensive, but you would hope the tunnel is extended as part of any redevelopment of the obahn

[Nort]

I know its expensive, but you would hope the tunnel is extended as part of any redevelopment of the obahn

Extended where?

[Waewick]

I know its expensive, but you would hope the tunnel is extended as part of any redevelopment of the obahn

Extended where?

So the exit of the tunnel meets with the exit point of the obahn.

[Nort]

I know its expensive, but you would hope the tunnel is extended as part of any redevelopment of the obahn

Extended where?

So the exit of the tunnel meets with the exit point of the obahn.

It would be a bit more satisfying, but would it really save much time? Sure the buses slow a bit once getting onto the road, but they have a dedicated bus lane so would rarely get caught in traffic.

Looks to be around 1km between the two points. At 80km/h that's 45 seconds, at 60km/h it's 1 minute. A lot of infrastructure to save that short time. Would also need to pass beneath the Torrens, so would be hard to do as a cut and cover job.

[Patrick_27]

Extended where?

So the exit of the tunnel meets with the exit point of the obahn.

It would be a bit more satisfying, but would it really save much time? Sure the buses slow a bit once getting onto the road, but they have a dedicated bus lane so would rarely get caught in traffic.

Looks to be around 1km between the two points. At 80km/h that's 45 seconds, at 60km/h it's 1 minute. A lot of infrastructure to save that short time. Would also need to pass beneath the Torrens, so would be hard to do as a cut and cover job.

I'd rather see a cut and cover tunnel along Grenfell and Currie Streets, with exits between Frome Street and East Terrace and between Morphett Street and West Terrace with the western end coming out into the Bakewell Underpass, include underground stations as part of this. At-least then if the O'Bahn is ever converted to rail, the existing tunnel won't seem so redundant as it will connect to further tunnelling along this strip. Also cut and cover would ensure this doesn't intrude on any further underground rail plans. Probably at-least a $5b project but considering bus public transport is our main offering in Adelaide and this is the busiest bus corridor, I'd say it's justifiable from a town planning POV and also time efficiency.

[Waewick]

Extended where?

So the exit of the tunnel meets with the exit point of the obahn.

It would be a bit more satisfying, but would it really save much time? Sure the buses slow a bit once getting onto the road, but they have a dedicated bus lane so would rarely get caught in traffic.

Looks to be around 1km between the two points. At 80km/h that's 45 seconds, at 60km/h it's 1 minute. A lot of infrastructure to save that short time. Would also need to pass beneath the Torrens, so would be hard to do as a cut and cover job.

Honestly you make good points.

You'd want a detailed study to make sure it makes financial sense, which could be helped by expanding the service I guess.

[rubberman]

So the exit of the tunnel meets with the exit point of the obahn.

It would be a bit more satisfying, but would it really save much time? Sure the buses slow a bit once getting onto the road, but they have a dedicated bus lane so would rarely get caught in traffic.

Looks to be around 1km between the two points. At 80km/h that's 45 seconds, at 60km/h it's 1 minute. A lot of infrastructure to save that short time. Would also need to pass beneath the Torrens, so would be hard to do as a cut and cover job.

Honestly you make good points.

You'd want a detailed study to make sure it makes financial sense, which could be helped by expanding the service I guess.

I'd also like to see if having a centre lane and side platforms for buses would be better than the present arrangement whereby buses are pulling out and in and crossing over other lanes. Plus, European cities have more doors on buses leading to faster boarding and alighting, meaning shorter times at stops.

Now, I'm not necessarily advocating this, rather saying that it's an option to look at.

Plus, how about European style trolleybuses where the trolleybuses run under wire for some of their route, and no wire for other parts? They are very flexible, quiet, and able to use renewable energy.

[rev]

There's an article about all the cars that constantly get stuck on it. Quite a long list.

Why don't they just install some barriers/boom gates that remain down until a bus approaches and triggers a sensor to open them?

Code: Select all

2013
Mar 03
Not provided
Car following bus

2013
Mar 16
O-Bahn Track from TTP
Car went on O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Mar 16
O-Bahn Track
Car on O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Aug 06
Gate No 85 - Apalie Dr
Car entered O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Sep 23
O-Bahn
Non PTS vehicle on track

2014
Jun 09
Park Terrace
Car driven on to O-Bahn track

2014
Jul 01
O-Bahn
Car in O-Bahn chute

2015
Mar 11
Park Terrace
Non-O-Bahn vehicle entered track

2015
Mar 13
O-Bahn
Non O-Bahn bus on track

2015
Sep 11
O-Bahn Busway
Car entered O-Bahn busway

2017
Oct 27
Park Tce Tunnel
Car entered chute area, then reversed out

2018
Jan 10
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car followed bus into the tunnel, tunnel closed for less than 1 minute, car did not stop in tunnel and drove straight out

2018
Feb 10
Between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Paradise
Busway closed as car on track (between Paradise and TTP), detouring via roads

2018
Mar 15
Klemzig
Security HUB received a report that a vehicle entered and collided inside the O-Bahn corridor

2018
Aug 22
Klemzig
Car stuck on O-Bahn track

2018
Sep 08
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
A car has been guided out from the chute area at Tea Tree Plaza

2019
Jun 29
O-Bahn
Abandoned car on O-Bahn track

2019
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Car entered track and tipped over - all O-Bahn routes affected

2019
Oct 28
O-Bahn tunnel
Car followed bus through O-Bahn tunnel

2019
Nov 05
O-Bahn tunnel
Taxi went through O-Bahn tunnel

2019
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Car drove onto O-Bahn track

2020
Mar 08
Paradise
Car on O-Bahn track upside down

2020
Nov 21
Between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Paradise
O-Bahn track closed between TTP and Paradise due to car on track just after chute, no injuries

2020
Dec 17
Park Terrace
Car on O-Bahn track

2021
Jan 04
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car followed bus in to tunnel, car traversed tunnel

2021
Mar 12
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car has used full length of the O-Bahn tunnel

2021
Jun 08
O-Bahn Tunnel, Grenfell Street
Car used O-Bahn tunnel, Grenfell Street portal

2022
Aug 22
O-Bahn Paradise to Modbury
Report of vehicle travelling along O-Bahn track

2022
Aug 22
Paradise Interchange
Car entered O-Bahn at paradise interchange at speed. Track was closed by control. Car found at 10.06 on roof on up side

2022
Sep 09
Park Terrace Entrance
Car entered O-Bahn track from Park Terrace entrance

2022
Sep 09
O-Bahn track between Park Tce and Klemzig
Silver Mercedes sedan rode along O-Bahn track

2023
May 05
Modbury
Car Entered O-Bahn

2023
Aug 08
O-Bahn track between Modbury and Paradise
Drunk driver left car on tracks

2023
Oct 18
O'Bahn track at Modbury
Car abandoned on track

2024
Feb 28
Modbury
Car stuck on track after driver suffered medical episode, removed by crane four hours later

[Spotto]

There's an article about all the cars that constantly get stuck on it. Quite a long list.

Why don't they just install some barriers/boom gates that remain down until a bus approaches and triggers a sensor to open them?

Code: Select all

2013
Mar 03
Not provided
Car following bus

2013
Mar 16
O-Bahn Track from TTP
Car went on O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Mar 16
O-Bahn Track
Car on O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Aug 06
Gate No 85 - Apalie Dr
Car entered O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Sep 23
O-Bahn
Non PTS vehicle on track

2014
Jun 09
Park Terrace
Car driven on to O-Bahn track

2014
Jul 01
O-Bahn
Car in O-Bahn chute

2015
Mar 11
Park Terrace
Non-O-Bahn vehicle entered track

2015
Mar 13
O-Bahn
Non O-Bahn bus on track

2015
Sep 11
O-Bahn Busway
Car entered O-Bahn busway

2017
Oct 27
Park Tce Tunnel
Car entered chute area, then reversed out

2018
Jan 10
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car followed bus into the tunnel, tunnel closed for less than 1 minute, car did not stop in tunnel and drove straight out

2018
Feb 10
Between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Paradise
Busway closed as car on track (between Paradise and TTP), detouring via roads

2018
Mar 15
Klemzig
Security HUB received a report that a vehicle entered and collided inside the O-Bahn corridor

2018
Aug 22
Klemzig
Car stuck on O-Bahn track

2018
Sep 08
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
A car has been guided out from the chute area at Tea Tree Plaza

2019
Jun 29
O-Bahn
Abandoned car on O-Bahn track

2019
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Car entered track and tipped over - all O-Bahn routes affected

2019
Oct 28
O-Bahn tunnel
Car followed bus through O-Bahn tunnel

2019
Nov 05
O-Bahn tunnel
Taxi went through O-Bahn tunnel

2019
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Car drove onto O-Bahn track

2020
Mar 08
Paradise
Car on O-Bahn track upside down

2020
Nov 21
Between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Paradise
O-Bahn track closed between TTP and Paradise due to car on track just after chute, no injuries

2020
Dec 17
Park Terrace
Car on O-Bahn track

2021
Jan 04
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car followed bus in to tunnel, car traversed tunnel

2021
Mar 12
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car has used full length of the O-Bahn tunnel

2021
Jun 08
O-Bahn Tunnel, Grenfell Street
Car used O-Bahn tunnel, Grenfell Street portal

2022
Aug 22
O-Bahn Paradise to Modbury
Report of vehicle travelling along O-Bahn track

2022
Aug 22
Paradise Interchange
Car entered O-Bahn at paradise interchange at speed. Track was closed by control. Car found at 10.06 on roof on up side

2022
Sep 09
Park Terrace Entrance
Car entered O-Bahn track from Park Terrace entrance

2022
Sep 09
O-Bahn track between Park Tce and Klemzig
Silver Mercedes sedan rode along O-Bahn track

2023
May 05
Modbury
Car Entered O-Bahn

2023
Aug 08
O-Bahn track between Modbury and Paradise
Drunk driver left car on tracks

2023
Oct 18
O'Bahn track at Modbury
Car abandoned on track

2024
Feb 28
Modbury
Car stuck on track after driver suffered medical episode, removed by crane four hours later

That list has quite a few cases in the O-Bahn tunnel which itself has boom gates and flashing lights. If senseless drivers are managing to ignore those I doubt spending tens of thousands to add the same to the interchange entrances will make much difference.

[rev]

There's an article about all the cars that constantly get stuck on it. Quite a long list.

Why don't they just install some barriers/boom gates that remain down until a bus approaches and triggers a sensor to open them?

Code: Select all

2013
Mar 03
Not provided
Car following bus

2013
Mar 16
O-Bahn Track from TTP
Car went on O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Mar 16
O-Bahn Track
Car on O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Aug 06
Gate No 85 - Apalie Dr
Car entered O-Bahn track from TTP

2013
Sep 23
O-Bahn
Non PTS vehicle on track

2014
Jun 09
Park Terrace
Car driven on to O-Bahn track

2014
Jul 01
O-Bahn
Car in O-Bahn chute

2015
Mar 11
Park Terrace
Non-O-Bahn vehicle entered track

2015
Mar 13
O-Bahn
Non O-Bahn bus on track

2015
Sep 11
O-Bahn Busway
Car entered O-Bahn busway

2017
Oct 27
Park Tce Tunnel
Car entered chute area, then reversed out

2018
Jan 10
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car followed bus into the tunnel, tunnel closed for less than 1 minute, car did not stop in tunnel and drove straight out

2018
Feb 10
Between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Paradise
Busway closed as car on track (between Paradise and TTP), detouring via roads

2018
Mar 15
Klemzig
Security HUB received a report that a vehicle entered and collided inside the O-Bahn corridor

2018
Aug 22
Klemzig
Car stuck on O-Bahn track

2018
Sep 08
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
A car has been guided out from the chute area at Tea Tree Plaza

2019
Jun 29
O-Bahn
Abandoned car on O-Bahn track

2019
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Car entered track and tipped over - all O-Bahn routes affected

2019
Oct 28
O-Bahn tunnel
Car followed bus through O-Bahn tunnel

2019
Nov 05
O-Bahn tunnel
Taxi went through O-Bahn tunnel

2019
Tea Tree Plaza Interchange
Car drove onto O-Bahn track

2020
Mar 08
Paradise
Car on O-Bahn track upside down

2020
Nov 21
Between Tea Tree Plaza Interchange and Paradise
O-Bahn track closed between TTP and Paradise due to car on track just after chute, no injuries

2020
Dec 17
Park Terrace
Car on O-Bahn track

2021
Jan 04
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car followed bus in to tunnel, car traversed tunnel

2021
Mar 12
O-Bahn Tunnel
Car has used full length of the O-Bahn tunnel

2021
Jun 08
O-Bahn Tunnel, Grenfell Street
Car used O-Bahn tunnel, Grenfell Street portal

2022
Aug 22
O-Bahn Paradise to Modbury
Report of vehicle travelling along O-Bahn track

2022
Aug 22
Paradise Interchange
Car entered O-Bahn at paradise interchange at speed. Track was closed by control. Car found at 10.06 on roof on up side

2022
Sep 09
Park Terrace Entrance
Car entered O-Bahn track from Park Terrace entrance

2022
Sep 09
O-Bahn track between Park Tce and Klemzig
Silver Mercedes sedan rode along O-Bahn track

2023
May 05
Modbury
Car Entered O-Bahn

2023
Aug 08
O-Bahn track between Modbury and Paradise
Drunk driver left car on tracks

2023
Oct 18
O'Bahn track at Modbury
Car abandoned on track

2024
Feb 28
Modbury
Car stuck on track after driver suffered medical episode, removed by crane four hours later

That list has quite a few cases in the O-Bahn tunnel which itself has boom gates and flashing lights. If senseless drivers are managing to ignore those I doubt spending tens of thousands to add the same to the interchange entrances will make much difference.

What about some large reinforced crash tested/certified retractable bollards operating on a 'trigger' operated by the bus drivers? There's even sliding bollards. The type used for embassies and other high security or restricted buildings and compounds. A lot of them are designed to withstand the impact of a truck purposely driving into them at speed.
I'ts a unique solution, but then again the obahn is a unique piece of infrastructure already.