Tram Proposals

[jibb]

Near Map(nearmap.com) is much more reliable and is monthly updated.

[Newcastle Flyer]

Yes, but you need to register for Nearmap.

[witsend]

When doing the maps, one of the map's auto-suggestion for destination choice is: "Adelaide International Airport, Whyalla, SA"!

Close enough, I reckon. :P

[jibb]

Yes, but you need to register for Nearmap.

That is not hard to do-is always a current and useful photomap!

[busrider]

Actually, you DON'T need to register for NearMap...

[LowRider]

You wouldn't run the tram down Dequettville Terrace(if it is closed for a week or so for Clipsal 500) nor Flinders Street Kent Town(have you ever driven down this street and seen how narrow it is?).

Good luck turning a tram from Dequetteville Tce into Flinders St! The only way this may be possible is if both tracks run to the western side of Dequetteville Tce to improve the turning angle.

Lol at how Google Maps calls Dequetteville Tce, Hackney Rd and Park Tce 'Princes Hwy', Main North Rd north of Nottage Tce is also 'Princes Hwy' and south of Nottage Tce is called 'Dandenong Rd'!

Thats because Highway 1 is called the Princes Hwy through SE SA and Adelaide, and the Highway 1 route is SE Freeway, Glen Osmond Rd, Fullarton Rd, Dequetteville Tce, Hackney Rd, Park Tce, Main North Rd to Port Wakefield road

[Heardy_101]

Yes, No?: http://g.co/maps/qwhkg (Green line as an alternative part of the route)

No from me unfortunately- don't really like the idea of Trams down Sir Don. Bradman Drive. At the moment I think any new route would have to Branch off the Glenelg -EC line (actually all would need to!). If you merged the lines at Victoria Sq traffic could be an issue- in my eyes anyway.

At least with having the Tram going Glover Ave - West Tce - North Tce you are branching straight off the tracks and if initially ran from Henley - South Tce it would remove the need for a shuttle service until another route was established- possibly a Prospect Road route or the Wattle Park line.

[The Phonj]

I'd actually personally consider (if I had the money and were put in charge of the project) getting five or even seven section Trams, such as the Siemens from Melbourne, or even 4-5 section Flexities, or Citadis. The current Flexities are a joke IMHO.

Just remember the platforms are only 40m long (long enough to fit a coupled 'H' set) and most have little scope for expansion before anybody gets any grand ideas of ordering super long 'mega trams'

[Newcastle Flyer]

Yes, No?: http://g.co/maps/qwhkg (Green line as an alternative part of the route)

No from me unfortunately- don't really like the idea of Trams down Sir Don. Bradman Drive. At the moment I think any new route would have to Branch off the Glenelg -EC line (actually all would need to!). If you merged the lines at Victoria Sq traffic could be an issue- in my eyes anyway.

It was only a suggestion, and it does go via, oops, I mean near the airport, and another route near the Keswick Rail Terminal (Oh okay, okay Adelaide Parklands). If it was similar to an "island" down the middle of the road, then of course the tram tracks down through the island.
And remember, I gave an alternative for part of the route.

What about similar to Melbourne's City Circle Tram, going around Adelaide, to replace (if it still runs) & I think it's 99C). As a temporary measure for a northern extension (oh wait, let's get rid of the O-bahn! - it was meant to be a tram line anyway I think) extend the tram line to North Adelaide.

[jibb]

Before anyone gets their hopes up too high-there is an article in Today's Messenger Press headlines re;-
West End tram loop plan stalls!
Don't think our current Premier thinks a lot of trams!
type into your web browser;-
messenger-news.whereilive.com.au

[TA3001]

From http://city-messenger.whereilive.com.au ... an-stalls/

PLANS for a tram loop through the West End have fallen off the State Government’s agenda despite predictions it would drive billions of investment dollars into the city.

Traders groups have reignited their calls for a western tram loop following a Property Council forecast the project would prompt billions of dollars worth of development in its first decade.

But Premier Jay Weatherill has not started planning the extension or committed funds to extending the tramline despite then Premier Mike Rann last year saying the project was “going to happen”.

The loop would run from North Tce along Morphett or Gray streets toward Light Square and down Gouger or Grote streets to Victoria Square.

Property Council SA executive director Nathan Paine said a tramline extension would drive billions of mixed use development across the West End.

“A city tram loop is critical whether it is just through the West End or around the CBD as a whole,” Mr Paine said.

“The development that has occurred down the southern end of King William St is an indicator of what we would see if we got a tramline extension.”

The City Messenger first revealed plans for a tramline extension through the West End in 2010 when then Lord Mayor Michael Harbison vowed to lobby the State and Federal governments.

Mr Rann told reporters last May that he wanted to transform the current tramline into a city loop, saying his vision was “very realistic, it’s going to happen”.

Grote Business Precinct president Terry Peacock agreed a tram loop in the west would drive development and he urged the government to get to work.

“It is disappointing that there is not an actual plan that is being built on,” Mr Peacock said.

“It would be really useful if there was a definite yes or no so businesses and residents can assess what is suitable for them.”

Central Market Traders Association president Franz Knoll said a tramline extension would attract more visitors to the market.

“If we are talking about revitalising the city, those type of things are fundamental,” Mr Knoll said.

Adelaide West End Association president Andrew Wallace wanted to see pedestrian links upgraded by improving streetscapes and enticing a greater mix of tenants.

“If it (tramline) is a way of conveniently getting people into parts of the West End that they would not normally walk to then great,” Mr Wallace said.

“But we should get people walking through the city than catching a tram around it.

A spokeswoman for Premier Jay Weatherill said he was interested in “all projects that will revitalise the city” but no tram extensions were budgeted.

[Heardy_101]

There was an article in the Sadvertiser today saying it was still on the cards

[Heardy_101]

Hi guys

Been a while, but have a couple more, but this time we will be heading to Port Adelaide, Semaphore, West Lakes and Grange.

Going to do this in "stages", as if this were actually going to be built. Just a few things to note:

- Grange line to be closed and converted to Light Rail;
- Buses from Adelaide - Port Adelaide (and vice versa) that run along the entire length of Port Road will be removed;
- Port Adelaide to become a Transit hub focusing on trams; Shuttles to run to/from Semaphore
- Trams to become a priority on Port Road and will be treated as such, signal sequences will favour the movement of trams and enable faster movement (within reasonable expectations).
- Grange reservation between Port Road and Woodville Station to become a secondary depot. Glengowrie will not be affected and will remain as "Tram HQ" so as to speak.


STAGE ONE
PORT ADELAIDE and SEMAPHORE TRAM
Starting off with an extension from the Entertainment Centre/Hindmarsh terminus, the initial line will continue along the Port Road median strip. Three tracks will be built; the two outer tracks will be for all stoppers trams along the line, the middle 3rd track will be for express trams (Peak only) and dead running if needed. The 3rd track will run only to where the "new" Grange tram will leave Port Road onto the current reservation. Port Adelaide tram will terminate in the heart of Port Adelaide. Services will continue after during Peak times as a SEMAPHORE TRAM (see below)

STAGE TWO
SEMAPHORE TRAM
The next extension will be to Semaphore. Leaving Commercial/Port Road, the route will follow St Vincent Street, Hart Street, then onto Military Road, then turning onto Semaphore Road and terminating on the median strip there. During interpeak times and weekends, a Semaphore Tram will shuttle between Semaphore and Port Adelaide. During, before and after Peak times Port Adelaide trams will continue on to Semaphore with no shuttles.

Thoughts and opinions so far?

[Emm Kay Vee]

No - More BRT proposals please

[The Phonj]

No. This would purely be a wasteful duplication as the Port Adelaide railway line which runs a short distance from the Port Road for most of its length. Spend money on public transport - YES!! But spend it wisely. BRT is not such a disagreeable suggestion either; when it proves popular, it has the potential to be converted into a rail-based corridor.

[Eagle Eye]

PORT ADELAIDE and SEMAPHORE TRAM
Three tracks will be built; the two outer tracks will be for all stoppers trams along the line, the middle 3rd track will be for express trams (Peak only) and dead running if needed.

Even if this line were to be built, why would you have a third track purely for express trams or special running? The Glenelg line has coped for decades without needing a third track and there are dozens of lines in Melbourne that cope without third tracks.

[Emm Kay Vee]

BRT is not such a disagreeable suggestion either; when it proves popular, it has the potential to be converted into a rail-based corridor.

I don't understand this fascination with people wanting to destroy perfectly good infrastructure, on something more expensive when there is no outcome that is any better than what is currently there.

The O-Bahn should NEVER be removed for a rail based solution.

[Heardy_101]

I'm sorry what is BRT? I'm assuming it's another word for the O-Bahn?

The 3rd track is an option really.

For the record I think a Port Road tram and a Grange tram via a converted Grange line is far more practical and cost-effective measure than these "Tram-Trains".

[Douglas]

I'm sorry what is BRT? I'm assuming it's another word for the O-Bahn?

Bus Rapid Transit, or busway, according to Wikipedia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bus_rapid_transit

[Heardy_101]

Cheers.

Sorry but can't really see any form of PT that shares a road with cars getting priority anytime soon...that's how I see it anyway.

[Emm Kay Vee]

Well, you obviously have no idea what you're on about. Sorry - but if you want people to take you seriously on here, as you throw up all these wild proposals, I suggest you do some more research.

Take a look at this for priority - the BRT system in Istanbul: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDCHZ9xNrJc Traffic crawls while buses fly down the corridor
And this video has an excellent explanation of what BRT is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVL07Ay-bLU although it doesn't showcase their BRT system as well as it could.

The metrobus in Istanbul did some magnificent things for the city. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrobus_(Istanbul)

[Newcastle Flyer]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metrobus_(Istanbul)

Click the link in the quote instead. (Your link for some reason forget to include the second bracket)

[Heardy_101]

Well, you obviously have no idea what you're on about. Sorry - but if you want people to take you seriously on here, as you throw up all these wild proposals, I suggest you do some more research.

Actually, I do. I don't expect people to take me seriously in fact to be honest it's an added bonus, although this site does have a lot more mutual respect so to speak vs Failpage.

These proposals aren't "Wild". All my Tram ideas actually follow previous Tram routes (eg Henley Beach and Prospect Road trams). I'll leave another certain proposal out of it, because it is irrelevant to these ideas and proposals.

I have done my research, and if you read my quote correctly:

"Sorry but can't really see any form of PT that shares a road with cars getting priority anytime soon...that's how I see it anyway."

It was in reference to the current situation in Adelaide, although I do apologise for not clarifying that beforehand.

For the record, when Phonj mentioned "BRT", I had never heard of that phrase before however it should have been obvious but it wasn't.

Personally, if The Government is serious about building new Tramlines, instead of sending them where a Train line already goes (OK, I contradict myself here having made the previous Port Adelaide/Grange/Semaphore proposals), send them where Trams USED to run, eg replace the G10 up Prospect Road with a Tram; Send trams back to Henley Beach, Norwood, and south such as Hyde Park and/or Colonel Light Gardens. Yes, in a fantasy world this would be ideal however they would have far more merit at the present vs a Combined Train/Tram line to OH and Grange.

EDIT
Changed "I'll leave the other proposal out of it."
to "I'll leave another certain proposal out of it, because it is irrelevant to these ideas and proposals."

[Emm Kay Vee]

I don't expect people to take me seriously

Well at least we can agree on something

[Heardy_101]

Ok, I actually had to laugh at that one.

But in all seriousness, Trams aren't taken serious enough in this city and while excessively expensive vs Buses they are far better alternative.