• Airways
  • Railway
  • Roadways
  • Shipping & Port
Transport Advancement
  • Home
  • News
  • Projects
    Highways England unveils plans to widen A12

    Highways England unveils plans to widen A12

    African Development Bank, Africa50 in Landmark Bridge Project Linking Kinshasa and Brazzaville

    Geely Holding to Cooperate with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation on Developing Technologies Including Supersonic Trains

    AECOM to provide site supervision services for Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link project

    Talgo obtains €30 million from the European Investment Bank for Innovation projects

    U.S. Department of Transportation Advances Rail Projects in Florida and Texas

    World premiere of the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE: Mercedes-AMG brings Formula 1 technology to the road

    One of the world’s longest electric car highways will be built in Australia

    CX North America Releases Next-Generation Mobile App for Drivers

  • Articles
  • Press Statements
  • Market Reports
    Austal signs agreement to buy BSE Maritime Solutions

    Austal signs agreement to buy BSE Maritime Solutions

    HPC leads machine learning initiative at Hamburg container terminal

    Chinas busiest port sees growth in sea-rail transport

    IATA health checklist to help airlines implement ICAO Covid-19 guidance

    Air cargo demand helps Korean to Q3 operating profit

    Kuehne + Nagel makes acquisitions in the Netherlands and Belgium to expand its overland network

    Kuehne + Nagel makes acquisitions in the Netherlands and Belgium to expand its overland network

    Transoft acquired Keysoft Solutions

    Transoft Solutions Completes Acquisition of Uk-based Keysoft Solutions

    GRAHAM

    GRAHAM revenue stabilisation sets the platform for sustainable growth

    DP World Acquires Topaz in USD 1.1 Bn Deal

    DP World Acquires Topaz in USD 1.1 Bn Deal

    Siemens sells electric aircraft-propulsion business to Rolls-Royce

    C.H. Robinson Acquires The Space Cargo Group to Expand Global Presence

    C.H. Robinson Acquires The Space Cargo Group to Expand Global Presence

  • Events
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Projects
    Highways England unveils plans to widen A12

    Highways England unveils plans to widen A12

    African Development Bank, Africa50 in Landmark Bridge Project Linking Kinshasa and Brazzaville

    Geely Holding to Cooperate with China Aerospace Science and Industry Corporation on Developing Technologies Including Supersonic Trains

    AECOM to provide site supervision services for Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link project

    Talgo obtains €30 million from the European Investment Bank for Innovation projects

    U.S. Department of Transportation Advances Rail Projects in Florida and Texas

    World premiere of the Mercedes-AMG Project ONE: Mercedes-AMG brings Formula 1 technology to the road

    One of the world’s longest electric car highways will be built in Australia

    CX North America Releases Next-Generation Mobile App for Drivers

  • Articles
  • Press Statements
  • Market Reports
    Austal signs agreement to buy BSE Maritime Solutions

    Austal signs agreement to buy BSE Maritime Solutions

    HPC leads machine learning initiative at Hamburg container terminal

    Chinas busiest port sees growth in sea-rail transport

    IATA health checklist to help airlines implement ICAO Covid-19 guidance

    Air cargo demand helps Korean to Q3 operating profit

    Kuehne + Nagel makes acquisitions in the Netherlands and Belgium to expand its overland network

    Kuehne + Nagel makes acquisitions in the Netherlands and Belgium to expand its overland network

    Transoft acquired Keysoft Solutions

    Transoft Solutions Completes Acquisition of Uk-based Keysoft Solutions

    GRAHAM

    GRAHAM revenue stabilisation sets the platform for sustainable growth

    DP World Acquires Topaz in USD 1.1 Bn Deal

    DP World Acquires Topaz in USD 1.1 Bn Deal

    Siemens sells electric aircraft-propulsion business to Rolls-Royce

    C.H. Robinson Acquires The Space Cargo Group to Expand Global Presence

    C.H. Robinson Acquires The Space Cargo Group to Expand Global Presence

  • Events
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
Transport Advancement
No Result
View All Result
Home Metros

Vancouver SkyTrain, Canada

21st February 2014
in Metros, Projects, Railway
0
SHARES
25
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Vancouver is Canada’s third city, the metropolitan area having a population approaching 2.3 million and projected for 3 million by 2030. An important port of the Pacific Rim, close to the US border and the region’s main transport hub, the city has a high standard of living. Developed on land bounded by water on three sides, the core of the city has a high population density by North American standards.

The project

The SkyTrain project was linked to Vancouver hosting the 1986 transportation and communication-themed Expo 86World Fair, an event that pump-primed the city’s rising profile and fortunes. The system originated in eastern Canada with the Ontario (later Urban) Transportation Development Corporation (UTDC), a body funded to create a mode of Intermediate Capacity Transit System (ICTS), being between light rail and heavy rail/metro.

With relatively rapid installation, subsequent owners of the format, Bombardier, also promote the mode as being half the cost of a metro; having the capability for small radius curves and steep inclines; low cost stations and the long-term economies of driverless operation.

Like the ICTS format, Vancouver SkyTrain was publicly funded. The project combined UTDC’s need for a high-profile showcase for their system and a need for high-volume public transport for Expo and Vancouver in the longer-term.
Following a short section being used for proving, the first line opened for revenue services in January 1986, including the link between Canada’s own Expo pavilion and the rest of the exhibition grounds.

The first public ICTS application was Toronto’s Scarborough RT line opened in 1985, although unlike SkyTrain this has not been extended and its continued operation is uncertain.

Becoming the Expo Line after a second SkyTrain route opened, the first was extended in two stages to the eastern terminus of King George by 1994. Using the Expo Line as far as Columbia, the Millennium Line loops north back into the city centre, where Commercial Drive (an interchange with the Expo Line) was terminus from 2002 until the delayed VCC-Clark station opened in 2006.

From the 16,662,634 passenger trips taken during 1990, system expansion and rising popularity had increased this figure to 42,127,251 for 2007. This approximates to about a third of the annual ridership of trolley buses/buses in the metropolitan area.

In June 2008 Translink reported a much higher than forecast extra 2.6% ridership for the year, attributed to a combination of service expansion and the transfer from private cars due to rising fuel costs. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Canadian Urban Transit Association stated in 2008 that nationally public transport systems were becoming less able to accommodate demand in urban areas.

Under the Translink branding and run by subsidiary British Columbia Rapid Transit Company Ltd., SkyTrain is part of the South Coast British Columbia Transportation Authority (formerly Greater Vancouver Transportation Authority). Translink also operates the West Coast Express heavy rail commuter service.

Infrastructure

Beyond the Waterfront terminus, the former heavy rail Dunsmuir tunnel was redeployed in a double-deck, single-track configuration incorporating two stations. Most of the system uses paired tracks and stations on prefabricated elevated concrete decks, the whole being grade-separated throughout from other transport modes.

Power supply by third rail and the reaction plate for the train’s linear induction motors are incorporated in the permanent way. A notable work is the 616m (2,020ft) Skybridge Fraser River crossing that is dedicated to SkyTrain use. The system’s maintenance and control centre is between Edmunds and 22nd Street stations.

Rolling stock

The first vehicles were by UTDC, the assets of the organisation passing to Bombardier in 1992 who has continued as supplier to the system. The format has been developed as Bombardier’s Advanced Rapid Transit (ART) which in 2008 passed the milestone of 600 vehicles ordered when Vancouver took up an option for more stock. Other applications include Beijing International and New York JFK airports, Kuala Lumpur and Detroit.

Although usually associated with MAGLEV operation, linear induction motors provide propulsion for SkyTrain units. The fleet is composed of 150 vehicles of ART I stock and 108 ART II, the latter ordered from 1998. ART II units are wider and provide better access than their predecessors.

In 2006 Translink formed a C$113,210,000 contract with Bombardier for the supply of 34 extra ART II vehicles (with options), the first due for delivery in 2009. Usually running in multiples of paired vehicles – ART II pairs are articulated – platform lengths impose a six-vehicle limit. They cover equivalent urban routings in around half the time of Vancouver’s express bus services.

Signalling/communications

SkyTrain uses moving-block automatic train control which allows for very short headways and facilitates rapidly changing capacity according to demand. Intrusions onto the tracks are detected by an alarm system fitted throughout. Over the sections carrying both lines, peak frequency is every two minutes; the single line lowest frequency is every eight minutes.
As part of an integrated public transport operation which also includes buses, trolley buses and ferries, zone-base single tickets allow for up to 90 minutes of travel by any combination of modes, with other ticketing options available.

 

The future

Vancouver’s current major rail project is the north-south C$1.8bn (as of 2003) Canada Line, which although with automatic operation, is not physically part of SkyTrain system and uses different technology. The public-private partnership funded line is scheduled to open in November 2009, its airport-city centre connection (which began commissioning in April 2008) of importance to Vancouver’s hosting of the 2010 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.
In a reversal of previous intentions for a light rail system, it was announced in February 2008 that the C$1.4bn Evergreen Line project will use advanced light rapid transit (ALRT), technology as per SkyTrain.

Although the branding has not been announced, the Evergreen Line, due to open in 2014, will connect with SkyTrain Millennium Line at Lougheed Town Centre, running north-east to Coquitlam Town Centre.

In 2007 Translink reported covering SkyTrain operating costs through fares. Current works include expansion of maintenance facilities and station upgrades. Independent of the Evergreen and Canada line projects, the success of SkyTrain indicates that extension of present lines is likely.

For a 60-day period in connection with the 2010 Winter Olympics, Vancouver is to operate a trial light rail (streetcar) service. Connecting Granville Island and the forthcoming Canada Line Cambie Street station, the 1.8km (1.1 mile) stretch to be officially titled ‘The Olympic Line’ is part of a C$8.5m project. To provide the service and help assess the mode in terms of Vancouver’s future transport system, Games sponsor Bombardier is providing two 32m 3000-series Flexity Outlook trams in association with Brussels operator STIB. Bombardier is also providing service operation and maintenance during the trial.

Tags: Canada
Previous Post

Berlin U-Bahn Upgrading, Germany

Next Post

World Travel Market at ExCeL London

Related Posts

Germany, Denmark Agree Green Hydrogen Infrastructure Roll-out from 2028
News

Germany, Denmark Agree Green Hydrogen Infrastructure Roll-out from 2028

25th March 2023
Driverless Trains and Digital Signalling
News

Alstom Virtual Universe: bringing rail innovation to life in a digital world

25th March 2023
CSX announce launch of new Carbon Calculator
News

CSX announce launch of new Carbon Calculator

25th March 2023
Progress Rail and NSC partner on EMD GP34ECO locomotive
News

Stadler and Trenitalia sign framework agreement for EUROLIGHT Dual locomotives

25th March 2023
Railtex
Press Statements

Railtex 2023: Full steam ahead with an exciting programme

25th March 2023
News

$28bn Malaysia-Singapore High Speed Rail Line Talks On Again

10th March 2023
Next Post

World Travel Market at ExCeL London

Latest Post

Etihad Airways enhances interline and codeshare with six airlines making travel even easier
Airways

Etihad Airways enhances interline and codeshare with six airlines making travel even easier

23rd March 2023
United Airlines and Archer Announce First Commercial Electric Air Taxi Route in Chicago
Airways

United Airlines and Archer Announce First Commercial Electric Air Taxi Route in Chicago

23rd March 2023
Global Demand For Air Cargo Shrinks Even Further In December
Airways

Inbound Air Shipments To EU To Fall Under New Regulations

10th March 2023
Boeing announces logistics centre for aircraft parts in India
Airways

Boeing announces logistics centre for aircraft parts in India

1st March 2023
Airways

Air India places record $70bn order for 470 Boeing and Airbus jets

1st March 2023
Airport slot suspensions: easing the pressure for ailing airlines amid Covid-19
Airways

Siemens Logistics awarded major service contract at Madrid-Barajas Airport

1st March 2023
Transport Advancement

About Us

Transport Advancement is a leading information centric website for latest updates within the industry. We cover Railway, Road Traffic, Airways, Shipping & Port and run with an objective to provide knowledge driven content to our readers and subscribers in various forms like news, projects, upcoming events.

Resources

  • Advertise with us
  • Contact Us
  • Newsletter Archive
  • Download Mediapack
  • Newsletter Subscription

System

  • Search
  • Site map
  • RSS Feed
  • Airways
  • Railway
  • Roadways
  • Shipping & Port

© 2022 Copyright Value Media Services 2022 All rights reserved.

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Projects
  • Articles
  • Press Statements
  • Market Reports
  • Events
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Copyright Value Media Services 2022 All rights reserved.