LRT Crossing Standards (M. Nickel)
Recommendation:That the January 2, 2007, Transportation Department report 2007TD8363 be received for information.
Report Summary
This report provides a response to an inquiry regarding LRT Crossing Standards.
Previous Council/Committee Action
At the November 7, 2006, Transportation and Public Works Committee meeting, Councillor M. Nickel made the following inquiry:
“1. What are the City’s present standards with regards to crossing bells for the LRT?
2. Please explain the City’s approach to balancing of pedestrian safety and quality of life (environmental impact)? Has any consideration been made for evening and religious assembly factors?
3. Has the City examined the TriMet standards from Portland; if not, what would be the pros and cons of adopting such standards with regards to pedestrian crossings?
4. Could the TriMet standards be applied to the SLRT, and if so, at what estimated cost?
a. Cost to implement and vary the present guidelines (administrative costs).
b. Cost to implement what is currently planned for the SLRT.”
Report
1. City’s Present Standards
· The City of Edmonton follows national guidelines for crossing protection. These guidelines are used by most North American LRT systems, including Tri-Met in Portland. The standards referenced in the LRT Design Guidelines include:
- Manual for Uniform Traffic Control Devices (Transportation Association of Canada).
- Transit Cooperative Research Program Report 69: LRT Pedestrian and Vehicle Safety.
- Edmonton South LRT Extension Traffic Control and Circulation Study, Korve Engineering Inc., April 2004.
· The referenced guidelines include several safety features for consideration at pedestrian crossings, including the use of bells.
· Further literature, including Tri-Met LRT safety criteria, states that warning bells are appropriate where:
- LRT speed exceeds 40 km/hr;
- LRT operates in a semi-exclusive right-of-way (e.g. median);
- Sight distance considerations and/or heavy pedestrian or bicycle activity warrant its use.
· All planned 111 Street crossings meet these criteria, and therefore bells are proposed for all crossings.
2. Balancing Safety and Environmental Impacts
· Where LRT crossings are adjacent to sensitive areas, such as residential communities and hospitals, the City will reduce the standard bell noise level stated in the Design Guidelines.
· The bells will be set at an appropriate noise level to warn pedestrians at or near the intersection of an approaching train. The bells will be directed at the intersection, so the noise does not spread into adjacent communities.
· The warning bells will be set at the minimum required to provide adequate warning to pedestrians and will be focused on the immediate intersection area. Therefore, the impact on evening and religious assemblies will be minimized.
3. Portland Tri-Met Standards
· Through the application of national guidelines, the City’s LRT Design Guidelines are consistent with Portland’s Tri-Met standards. The engineering firm who assisted in developing the national guidelines and Tri-Met standards, Korve Engineering Inc., has been hired to design the crossings and perform safety audits for the South LRT project.
· Korve will conduct a review of all crossings, considering the following factors:
- LRT operating environment and speed;
- LRT alignment geometry;
- Sightlines;
- Pedestrian and vehicle volume and frequency;
- Pedestrian behavioural characteristics;
- Proximity to schools;
- Safety hazards/risks.
· Safety treatments will be applied based on the review of these site-specific factors. Potential pedestrian safety treatments include:
- Passive warning devices (signs, paint markings, tactile strips);
- Active warning devices (bells, flashing lights, traffic signals);
- Channelization (striped, physical barrier);
- Pedestrian swing gates;
- Automated pedestrian gates (rail arms).
4. Cost to implement Tri-Met standards
· The South LRT Project budget includes crossing protection consistent with Tri-Met standards. The budget for crossing protection at all intersections and pedestrian crossings is approximately $17 million.
· The LRT Design Guidelines are consistent with national guidelines and Tri-Met standards. No update is required at this time.
Background Information Available on Request
- City of Edmonton LRT Design Guidelines
- Korve Engineering Memorandum “Use of Audible Devices for Edmonton South Line at 111 Street”
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