tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300947294999806492.post8075287381056842999..comments2023-11-22T05:26:44.399-05:00Comments on Crossing the Lines: A Good Problem for the ElSteve Stofkahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14825368520377993845noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300947294999806492.post-52760235491838786592015-06-24T13:56:47.293-04:002015-06-24T13:56:47.293-04:00Currently there's a train every 4 minutes: tha...Currently there's a train every 4 minutes: that's 15 trains per hour. Even without any upgrades to the signal systems, it should be possible to run trains more frequently, though will likely have to give up on skip-stop service if that happens. 20 or even 24 trains per hour is still a huge improvement. Even then, though, it would make sense to rearrange the seating in the trains, because having a more open arrangement makes it easier for people to get on and off, which allows for shorter dwell times at stations, which is important for capacity.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300947294999806492.post-17165927799312181172015-06-22T14:34:06.088-04:002015-06-22T14:34:06.088-04:00Combining 11th and 13th into one long station woul...Combining 11th and 13th into one long station would lengthen platforms and eliminate a stop altogether. Also related to this is the question of whether SEPTA should extend skip-stop on the Market El as well, if lengthening headway from 4 to 8 minutes w/o ATC is acceptable.<br /><br />Regarding interceptors, it is wise to also combat the unpopularity of city RRD stations, where there perennially remains the latent opportunity for high-frequency short-turn trains. Add Trenton Line stations between N. Phila and Bridesburg, add a Girard stop, and most importantly, free transfers between any SEPTA service within the city.<br /><br />Historically, the paradigm used for developing Philadelphia rapid transit relates quite well to how the El is used today -- a through-running arterial trunk terminated with suburban transfers (69th), with crosstown buses/trollies intersecting orthogonally to El stations -- resembling a polar graph. This was the brainchild of A. Merritt Taylor's successor, W.S. Twining, and he foresaw capacity issues on the MFL by advocating pure 4-track express through Center City. His report is a very good read and surprisingly modern for 1917.<br />https://books.google.com/books?id=vaspAAAAYAAJ<br /><br />P.S. I modified your Philadelphia2050 plan somewhat, most substantially by curtailing RRD-to-transit conversion and instead focusing on gradual improvements for a true S-Bahn. I also added an I-95 median line which, given eventual reconstruction, should be one of the easier new-build lines to do. I'm not sure about interleaving it with the MFL, or the necessity of the 19th/22nd and 8th St branches. <br />I have seen PhilliesPhan's plan, which suffers from disconnection within Center City and poor through-routing.<br />https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/embed?mid=zylrC-8MJahA.keN6HT6qnMxIkclo3noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3300947294999806492.post-50119544400348552922015-06-22T10:59:49.909-04:002015-06-22T10:59:49.909-04:00Only the first and last car should have seating. Only the first and last car should have seating. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com