News & Discussion: Roads & Traffic

[monotonehell]

Not often I say this but I don't have access to that sort of information.

We're very disappointed with you.

It must be remembered that not all train journeys involve a bus transfer though

The same can be said for a bus journey. This has been my frustration of late. I've been reading a lot of papers and Most "pro-rail" texts that I've read state a load of emotive things that can easily apply to buses while the pro-bus texts seem to be more reason based but lack totally convincing statistics and I don't have access to any real figures.

That said, ALL forms of PT that have been mentioned in this thread do have a place in the overall network and need to be used to what they have been designed for to the maximum extent. Public transport that is run by the Government should not be run as a profit making exercise.

Totally agree with you. What I'm trying to work out is which purposes their designs best reflect. It seems that light rail isn't as good a choice as a busway for point to suburban area services. And heavy rail comes into its own in point to point long runs, but requires feeder services to attract patronage.

One thing that's been mentioned a fair bit is that governments tend toward light rail because there's a tangible asset that they can point at and say "Isn't it pretty". Where as investing in buses is less glamorous but often the right thing to do.

Oh and... everything should be on separate grade.

[Norman]

This one's going out to Will again ( ), is it correct to say the gradient is too steep on the South Eastern Freeway for a Heavy Rail line? I know in Stuttgart the light rail system is put through its paces up their hills, but what about the South-Eastern Freeway?

[monotonehell]

This one's going out to Will again ( ), is it correct to say the gradient is too steep on the South Eastern Freeway for a Heavy Rail line? I know in Stuttgart the light rail system is put through its paces up their hills, but what about the South-Eastern Freeway?

I know you directed this at Will, but parts of the Stuttgart light rail system are rack tracks for coping with the hills (There's an extra middle track with a cog on it, but you knew that hey? ).

Anything over 1 in 15 and you have to start thinking about brakes and motors.

[Norman]

This one's going out to Will again ( ), is it correct to say the gradient is too steep on the South Eastern Freeway for a Heavy Rail line? I know in Stuttgart the light rail system is put through its paces up their hills, but what about the South-Eastern Freeway?

I know you directed this at Will, but parts of the Stuttgart light rail system are rack tracks for coping with the hills (There's an extra middle track with a cog on it, but you knew that hey? ).

Anything over 1 in 15 and you have to start thinking about brakes and motors.

I know, yes I do

I meant more the U5, U6 and U7 routes up the Weinsteige... I could sometimes feel the light rail car slipping back a bit after it broke.

Another secion is the new U15 section... here's a pic of the ascend (click for enlarged version):

[Will409]

I havn't been done to the Southern Expressway in a LONG time (ie 2003) so I don't really remember what sort of gradients they are, either with gradient diagrams or guestimation. However, the section of track south of Brighton station has a gradient of 1 in 35 which by any standards is a really steep hill.

Basically, I can't comment really on that either. Light rail can go up and down those hills no problems at all but I am no so sure about heavy rail.

[Norman]

I havn't been done to the Southern Expressway in a LONG time (ie 2003) so I don't really remember what sort of gradients they are, either with gradient diagrams or guestimation. However, the section of track south of Brighton station has a gradient of 1 in 35 which by any standards is a really steep hill.

Basically, I can't comment really on that either. Light rail can go up and down those hills no problems at all but I am no so sure about heavy rail.

No no, I meant the South-Eastern Freeway

[Edgar]

I find it hard to motivate myself to use the trains at all.

Seriously, before we even go and support which forms of transportation is better or another, how many of you here, who is in favor of trains, actually live close to a train station?

From where I live, if I were to take the train, it would take me around 30mins or so to walk to the nearest station. With that 30mins driving in my car, I would have reached the city, and get a park.

You all sounded like you live just 10 steps away from the station. You make sounds so easy to just hop in a train and get to wherever you want to go. I (and the others who is not in favor of train) would to, if it just takes me 5-10 mins to walk to one

[Cruise]

I find it hard to motivate myself to use the trains at all.

Seriously, before we even go and support which forms of transportation is better or another, how many of you here, who is in favor of trains, actually live close to a train station?

From where I live, if I were to take the train, it would take me around 30mins or so to walk to the nearest station. With that 30mins driving in my car, I would have reached the city, and get a park.

You all sounded like you live just 10 steps away from the station. You make sounds so easy to just hop in a train and get to wherever you want to go. I (and the others who is not in favor of train) would to, if it just takes me 5-10 mins to walk to one

im less than 5 minutes to a train station, and i still dont use them!!!

[Norman]

I'm 10 mins away from the train station, but prefer to use the bus.

[monotonehell]

LOL trains are sexy, but when it comes down to it people would rather catch a bus.

[Wayno]

LOL trains are sexy, but when it comes down to it people would rather catch a bus.

yep, it's psychologically interesting - even i'll go out of my way to catch a Tram or Bus instead of a Train. Could simply be because the Trams are all shiny and new. Even the buses are cleaner/nicer that the Metro Trains. Would probably make a difference if i could see out through the train windows - they are sooo overdue for reglassing

[Cruise]

LOL trains are sexy, but when it comes down to it people would rather catch a bus.

I work in the bus industry, so I'm a bit biased

[AG]

It is a little bit odd. If you ask most people in Adelaide whether they'd rather take a bus or a train, most would say a bus. If you were to ask the same question in Melbourne or Sydney, most would say take the train. It seems to depend on the perspective that people have developed of those two networks pitted up against each other for their respective city.

[muzzamo]

I think it depends on where you live too. From Noarlunga or Seaford the train wins hands down, likewise with from Gawler

[Norman]

Thing is, while our trains are pretty shoddy, our buses (including the network) are probably the best in the country.