Gold Coast Light Rail

[colinw]

What about this?

[Fares_Fair]

I cant see it. I can see a paperclip on the post, but no attachment.

+1 also.

Could it be some new 'recipient limited' option perhaps?

[ozbob]

I cant see it. I can see a paperclip on the post, but no attachment.

Permissions issue, fixed.

[Fares_Fair]

Still nothing to see or select, and I have restarted RBoT.
Once working it'll be another for the http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=8281.0, Nifty additions, thread I'm sure. 

Bingo it's fixed!

[petey3801]

Some good ideas there, but ... Varsity Lakes?

Robina maybe, although I'd rather the LRT just kept right on down the coast to Coolangatta & Tweed Heads.

Anyway, good to see one of the coast's new MPs supporting the project. 

Agreed. I'd prefer to see the Stage 2 section to Helensvale done as a priority, thence continue down the coast the Coolangatta Airport. If they really want another connection to the heavy rail, i'd be inclined to say put out a branch to Robina moreso than Varsity. Robina has the rather massive Robina Town Centre/Westfield as well as an already well established interchange at the station, plus the Stadium...

[SurfRail]

My preferred staging method over the next 20 years is as follows.

1. Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads
2. Griffith Uni to Helensvale
3. Burleigh Heads to The Pines
4. Varsity Lakes to The Pines (Heavy)
5. The Pines to Tweed
6. The Pines to Airport (Heavy)
7. Miami to Robina
8. Southport to Runaway Bay
9. Runaway Bay to Hope Island

At some point -  infill stations at Ormeau North, Pimpama, Hope Island, Parkwood and Merrimac, and separation into a southern and northern Gold Coast pattern (ie Coolangatta to Helensvale then express, Helensvale to Loganlea then express - about 10 stations each).

With the system extent above, you could have 3 services - Hope Island to Robina, Helensvale to Coolangatta and Griffith Uni to Elanora (with these last 2 sharing the entire route except for the very last bit towards The Pines).

[Jonno]

My preferred staging method over the next 20 years is as follows.

1. Broadbeach to Burleigh Heads
2. Griffith Uni to Helensvale
3. Burleigh Heads to The Pines
4. Varsity Lakes to The Pines (Heavy)
5. The Pines to Tweed
6. The Pines to Airport (Heavy)
7. Miami to Robina
8. Southport to Runaway Bay
9. Runaway Bay to Hope Island

At some point -  infill stations at Ormeau North, Pimpama, Hope Island, Parkwood and Merrimac, and separation into a southern and northern Gold Coast pattern (ie Coolangatta to Helensvale then express, Helensvale to Loganlea then express - about 10 stations each).

With the system extent above, you could have 3 services - Hope Island to Robina, Helensvale to Coolangatta and Griffith Uni to Elanora (with these last 2 sharing the entire route except for the very last bit towards The Pines).

+1

[colinw]

Seems sensible, but what do you propose for LRT to The Pines?  That would divert the LRT off the Gold Coast Hwy, or else result in a short branch.

[SurfRail]

Seems sensible, but what do you propose for LRT to The Pines?  That would divert the LRT off the Gold Coast Hwy, or else result in a short branch.

Once extended further south, it would either be a single station branch (The Pines itself), or with one station en route along Thrower Drive.

My reasoning is:

(a) The adjacent verges and open space are plenty wide enough for LRT.  I would run it on the north side of Thrower Drive, straight through the big roundabout (a la Queen Victoria Markets) and along the southern side of Sarawak Ave (which involves displacing around 30 angle car parks but they can be relocated nearby).  You would need to widen the existing M1 underpass, but there is no northbound off-ramp or southbound on-ramp so the line could continue following the southern side of the road easily.

(b) It's spitting distance here - the only other location on the QR alignment closer to the GC Hwy corridor is the airport station itself.  this makes it the easiest interim connection.  I would rather the entire coastal corridor was serviced before anything other than Helensvale goes inland. 

(c) The stretch between Griffith Uni and Palm Beach would probably require a more intensive service than the entire length from Helensvale to Coolangatta (as the existing bus network does), so it is effectively just a short-working of the main route with a tiny extension at the southern end.  Griffith Uni will have turnback and shunting facilities in place which can be retained, and this would be the southern counterpart.

(d) Depending on how the junction is configured you could potentially run a separate Elanora-Coolangatta service, maybe only on weekends or when demand would be higher (Currumbin Sanctuary, southern beaches etc or when there is a festival on at Coolangatta).

[colinw]

Ok, I understand now. Just looked at a map of the area and what you suggest makes perfect sense to me. 

[ozbob]

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
12/05/2012

Heavy work to transport light rail to Gold Coast

Queensland's first light rail system reached a major milestone this week as 2800 tonnes of rail track is being trucked to the Gold Coast.

The track which stretches 55km for the $1 billion Gold Coast Rapid Transit (GCRT) project is being transported from the Port of Brisbane in preparation for laying along the 13km Stage One route.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Scott Emerson said this milestone reinforced the government's commitment to delivering the Gold Coast Rapid Transit project.

"This next step gets us closer to delivering the future transport needs of Gold Coast residents," Mr Emerson said.

"These 18 metre lengths of rail track were made in Austria, shipped into the Port of Brisbane and are now being loaded on to trucks to make its way to a secure storage site on the northern Gold Coast.

"The track laying is expected to begin in coming months."

The GCRT is being delivered in a Public Private Partnership between the Australian Government, the Queensland Government, Gold Coast City Council and consortium GoldLinQ.

GoldLinQ CEO Phil Mumford said the project was progressing well, with the delivery of the rail on schedule and passenger services on track to start in 2014.

"This project is a mix of world-leading technology and local expertise," Mr Mumford said.

"Due to the highly specialised expertise and equipment required, the rail was manufactured in Austria by Voestalpine Shienen GmbH.

"It is the only company currently producing the track gauge being used on the Gold Coast light rail system."

Facts of interest

·It will take 140 semi-trailer trips to transport the tracks to their destination.

·The rail will be used for two lines of light rail track - north and southbound - servicing the Health and Knowledge precinct, the Depot, Southport, Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach.

·Fourteen light rail vehicles will operate along the route, with steel wheels fitted to run on the fixed rail.

·There will be 16 stations and the system can cater for up to 75,000 passengers a day.

[ENDS] 12 May 2012

[O_128]

what gauge is the GCLR?

[ozbob]

5' 3"  HA only joking ....

standard gauge 4' 8.5"  (1435mm) ...

[SurfRail]

However, the track profile and the loading gauge are at what is now pretty much international standard, so it does not surprise me that the rail cannot be manufactured locally - no current systems here are at that standard although Sydney is close.

[#Metro]

·Fourteen light rail vehicles will operate along the route, with steel wheels fitted to run on the fixed rail.

You don't say! 

[Jonno]

·Fourteen light rail vehicles will operate along the route, with steel wheels fitted to run on the fixed rail.

You don't say! 

And doors that open, seats and windows!!! :-)

[Fares_Fair]

Good to see the weekly seats scenario under the former government is gone.
Common sense prevails, up to 75,000 pax per day.

[Fares_Fair]

However, the track profile and the loading gauge are at what is now pretty much international standard, so it does not surprise me that the rail cannot be manufactured locally - no current systems here are at that standard although Sydney is close.

I'm surprised that it couldn't be manufactured here, given our steel producing history ... disappointing really.

[Golliwog]

Where does QR get its rails?

[SurfRail]

Good to see the weekly seats scenario under the former government is gone.
Common sense prevails, up to 75,000 pax per day.

That's running the system at very low capacities too.  Assuming every tram is full, you have:

- 8 trams per hour
- 2 directions
- 300 people per tram
- 12 hours of high frequency
= 57,600

That does not include before 7am or after 7pm.

Increase the frequency to a tram every 5 minutes in the 12-hour high-frequency period (50% increase) and you get 86,400.  Even at this rate, the volume per hour per direction is only 3,600.  You can go much much higher than that.

Adding additional lengths to the system will also increase patronage.

I wouldn't be surprised if we end up talking about 150,000 per day or more eventually, which would put it in the league of the whole of QR's passenger operations statewide.

[#Metro]

Firstly, let's not call it a tram. Trams run in class C ROW and have close stop spacing.
This is LRT and the vehicles are LRVs. Sorry to be pedantic!

Secondly, the LRVs used on the Gold Coast will be some of the longest in the world - up there with Budapest.
I think it will be a success from day one, simply because of the frequency, the capacity, the utility of being able to take
surfboards etc on it, the class B ROW and also the geography of the area is very very well suited to rapid transit.

[Gazza]

Firstly, let's not call it a tram.

Doesn't matter IMO. Tram is an easily understood word by Australians for what it is, everyone will call it that no matter what transit nerds think, and even Goldlinq use it in their media releases:
http://goldlinq.com.au/project-updates/news/read/goldlinq-ceo-speaks-out-on-scaremongering-about-light-rail-system/4470

Gold Coast Light Rail will be fully integrated with the existing road network with no need for boom gates and flashing lights at intersections, says GoldLinQ CEO Phil Mumford.

Mr Mumford said it was simply scaremongering when light rail protestors spoke of deaths and level crossing dangers.

"It's disappointing light rail protestors resort to these tactics to try to halt the project, which will be a great asset to the city," Mr Mumford said.

"When trams cross a same grade intersection with road traffic, the traffic signals control the traffic movement so trams drivers will stop when they face a red light and other vehicles will stop on a red light to let the tram through the intersection.

"What is being referred to by these protestors are heavy rail level crossings when trains are going at higher speeds.

"GoldLinQ trams will run at the same signed road speed as the traffic around it and pedestrians are expected to think about trams as any other vehicle – you wouldn't run out in front of a moving car so don't run out in front of a tram."

Mr Mumford said road users and pedestrians already knew how to use Gold Coast roads.

"Pedestrians will still be able to use the same pedestrian crossings at these intersections. The rules do not change, a pedestrian should still wait for the green man before crossing the road," he said.

"Trams will have their own designated corridor along the traffic network and will stop at traffic lights."

GoldLinQ's operations partner KDR Gold Coast is working to ensure signage will be in place when the trams begin operating on the Gold Coast traffic network.

Mr Mumford said KDR Gold Coast would provide a raft of safety messages including road markings to show the light rail corridor and additional sign posts to remind road users and pedestrians to watch for trams.

Stage One of the Gold Coast light rail is a $1 billion project, jointly funded by State and Federal Government and Gold Coast City Council.

Trams run in class C ROW and have close stop spacing.

Not Always.
What about the 109 CBD to Port Melbourne? Or Croydon Tramlink in London? Or the 4 tramways in Paris. They aren't class C.

[#Metro]

Not Always.
What about the 109 CBD to Port Melbourne? Or Croydon Tramlink in London? Or the 4 tramways in Paris. They aren't class C.

I still wouldn't call it a tram after all the title of the project is called

Gold Coast Light Rail

Not Gold Coast Tram.

Just like I wouldn't call it a trolley or a streetcar.

Trams = Melbourne stuff. Ancient, slow, stopping everywhere. This isn't that and there should be an effort to differentiate it, regardless of current lay use.
Similar issues with route/line, transfers/connections and journey/trip.

[colinw]

I agree with TT.

Many Aussies think of Trams as slow, trundling ancient things that went out of vogue in the 1960s or earlier.

Melbourne's admittedly very successful system does little to correct this.

Just look at the amount of negative references to slow Melbourne trams brought up by the anti-LRT campaigners on the coast, and even when extensions are Adelaide are suggested.

This system needs to be very clearly differentiated, as it is unlike any previous system in this country, although Sydney mk2, Glenelg and the former heavy rail bits of Melbourne's systems might come close.

[Gazza]

I think calling the vehicle itself a Tram is OK. The system is light rail though.
LRV is slower and more awkward to say and I guess a bit too much like jargon...Don't really care about connotations to be honest.

[SurfRail]

As far as I am concerned, they are trams.  I don't think we need to be too precious, and I have no doubt people down here will talk about "catching a tram" regardless of their differentiation from the W class.

If anything, my preference stems from my hatred of unnecessary acronyms, nominalisations and other bad English.  There is an agency in Canada somewhere that calls its buses RTVs (rapid transit vehicles) - why not just call an entrenching tool a spade, a motor omnibus a bus, and an articulated light rail vehicle a tram!

[SurfRail]

Nobody has mentioned the irony of TT suggesting we call them LRVs and not trams! 

LRVTrain? 

There is also a suggestion I have seen that this class of vehicle could be called "traims".

[Golliwog]

Yeah, I think people on the GC are going to refer to them as trams. Mostly because it's too awkward to say "I'm going to catch the light rail there" compared to "I'm going to catch the tram there"

[#Metro]

I think it is important that some effort is made.
Why? Portland has Light Rail (Portland MAX) and the Portland Streetcar. Two very different service characteristics.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portland_Streetcar
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAX_Light_Rail

[Gazza]

I'm just going to keep calling them trams to annoy TT

Portland has Light Rail (Portland MAX) and the Portland Streetcar. Two very different service characteristics.

I'm sure many people from the GC don't know about Portlands 2 Systems.

For bus, do you want me to think up different terms depending on whether it's a class A bus on the busway, or a Class C like most of them, or wether its a welfare route, or a BUZ.

We'll, regardless, people are going to call it a plain old bus, because most people aren't PT foamers.

For the record, I thought that chapter on semantics in Human Transit was a bit of waffle in an otherwise good book.

[#Metro]

Well I don't agree Gazza, marketing matters, and what's going down on the Gold Coast isn't a slow, ancient, high-floor, stop-everywhere tram, trolley or streetcar like Melbourne.

[SurfRail]

Virtually nobody in Australia uses the terms streetcar or trolley.  If it runs on rails in the road corridor (with notable and obvious exceptions in places like Denison St Rockhampton), its a tram. 

No application of semiotics is going to change that, and I have no intention of avoiding the use of the word.  The system will speak for itself.

[petey3801]

IMO, once the GCRT is in place, it will change the mindset of GC residents of trams being slow etc., into trams being rather fast and efficient. Doesn't really matter whether we whinge about people calling them trams on here, it's really not going to stop Joe Bloggs from calling it what it essentially is, a tram.

Over in Europe, I called them trams, even when they had their own reservations. It's simply a well recognised term, just like train/bus/ferry etc.

[Gazza]

It's simply a well recognised term, just like train/bus/ferry etc.

^Exactly, for example a car is still a car no matter of the quality of ROW it is on (Freeway, suburban road, dirt track etc)

Obviously the system itself is light rail, but the vehicle running on it is still a tram.

[STB]

I'm just going to keep calling them trams to annoy TT

And just for my point of view, they are trams.  Trams, trams, trams, trams, see the tram, here it comes! (in a Monty Python 'Spam' like style). 

[SurfRail]

Tate backs more rail, Games village site

Shannon Willoughby, chief reporter   |  06:37am May 21, 2012

MAYOR Tom Tate has revealed his "long-lasting" vision for the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games -- and it includes light rail to Helensvale and an Athletes Village at Parklands.

The ambitious leader has again backflipped on his stance on the light rail, now vowing to lobby for its extension to Helensvale by 2018.

He also has put his foot down on the controversial issue of the Athletes Village -- he will be pushing for it to remain at the Parklands site.

Part of his vision also includes developing a "green heart" and erecting a permanent amphitheatre at the Broadwater Parklands.

"What I have articulated is that the Commonwealth Games should be world class. Our reputation is going to be on stage," Cr Tate said.

"We want legacies which will improve the lives of the people who live in the city."

He said council would work with the new Commonwealth Games chairman and board but urged them to "listen" to council's plans.

"By 2018, I want the light rail to go all the way to Helensvale. I want to see an extra one million kilometres in buses available for the people and we are going to educate people of the benefits of public transport," said Cr Tate, in a surprise twist.

Cr Tate -- who first supported buses, before moving back to rail, then called for a review of the project after attending an anti-light rail rally during the recent election campaign -- said he wanted to increase public transport usage from 3-5 per cent to 8 per cent.

Making another bold statement, Mr Tate said he wanted the Athletes Village to remain on the Parklands site but promised to ensure it would not become a "ghetto" after the games finished.

Earlier this month, Queensland Premier Campbell Newman said he was concerned about using Parklands for the village, which would force the eviction of events like the Gold Coast Show and Big Day Out.

But Cr Tate said it was the best option and it was part of the winning bid.

The size difference between Parklands and the Southport Hospital site -- which has been pushed by some city leaders as the preferred location -- was too great to consider shifting it, he said. Parklands is 29ha, while Southport is 3.5ha. By comparison, Melbourne was 27ha, and the upcoming Glasgow Games village will be 54ha.

"If it was good enough to win us the bid, then it is good enough for us to have at the Games," Cr Tate said.

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2012/05/21/417511_commonwealth-games.html

There was a photo insert in the print edition with a timeline showing his various positions over time back since 2007.  (He ran for mayor under a Liberal Party ticket in 2008 before the LNP merger and of course he has owned The Islander throughout that period which is on the corridor near Cavill Ave.)

I suspect he will end up very strongly in favour of it, but I expect him to show a bit of public wavering depending on who asks him.  The only councillor out of 15 - 14 divisional councillors and the mayor - who appears to have a serious issue with it anymore is Bob La Castra (coincidentally my local councillor).

[colinw]

Hey SurfRail, I get the distinct impression Don doesn't like you very much 

I guess you've got your own "John Fraser" now, just like ozbob.

[colinw]

The Gold Coast Bulletin -> Southport light rail work to begin shortly

SOUTHPORT restaurateur Jeff Testa is looking forward to the day the $1.2 billion light rail delivers hundreds of people to Scarborough Street every seven minutes.

But for now, he's anticipating "short-term pain", with construction of the major public transport project set to begin in the CBD later this month.

"I know there will be some short-term pain with the construction, but I think the long-term gain will outweigh that," said Mr Testa, who recently opened fine-dining restaurant The Vault along the shopping strip.

"I am committed to helping improve Southport and I really saw a hole in the fine dining scene here -- normally people have to go to Main Beach or Broadbeach," said the Southport resident.

"I think the light rail will really help the area. We have to support what's in our own backyard."

His commitment to the hub comes as construction increases, with light rail developer GoldLinQ yesterday releasing plans to start major works along Scarborough and Nerang streets.

Access to shops and businesses would be open at all times but the points of access may change, said GoldLinQ.

"Works along Scarborough Street and Nerang Street signal the start of the delivery in one of the busiest sections of the light rail corridor," said GoldLinQ boss Phil Mumford.

Works in Southport include establishing a laydown area on the corner of Queen and Scarborough street and relocating the Scarborough Street taxi shelter to the Nerang Street mall opposite the TAFE, 100m north.

Underground services such as gas and water will be relocated, storm water drainage upgraded, with rail line, stations and landscaping to follow.

There will be some restrictions to off-street parking, but GoldLinQ will provide 60 new parking spaces in the laydown area.

GoldLinQ has also made 120 free centre-parking spaces available in Nerang Street until late 2012.

Mr Mumford said more trees would be ripped up, with many of them finding homes at schools and community groups.

The trees will be removed at night.

Trams will eventually service the heart of the suburb, with the ability to deliver up to 618 passengers every seven-and-a-half minutes in peak times.

There are five light rail stations planned for the Southport precinct: Queen Street, Gold Coast Hospital, Southport, Southport South and Broadwater Parklands.

[colinw]

I've posted this article because it mentions the light rail scheme. I think SurfRail needs to have a good long chat with Mr Hart!

The Gold Coast Bulletin -> Michael Hart backs Coast cruise terminal

A CRUISE ship terminal for the Gold Coast has been put back on the agenda after a newly elected Government MP spoke up in support of the controversial project.

Burleigh MP Michael Hart, who previously refused to express an opinion about the issue, this week used his maiden speech in Parliament to declare his backing for it.

Mr Hart also indicated he would work to have the rapid transit system expanded to run the length of the Coast by replacing the proposed heavy rail from the Varsity train station with light rail.

"Now is the time to act," Mr Hart said.

"Queenslanders have given our Government a clear mandate to do so."

There has been renewed hope for the terminal due to the Newman Government indicating it would cut through red tape and ignore baseless opposition from greens groups to get major infrastructure projects built.

Mr Hart said public transport was a big issue in his electorate.

"It is clear to me that the rapid transit system must cover the Gold Coast from one end to the other, not a small section in the middle," he said.

"It must connect to other forms of transport and therefore must be linked to heavy rail and the airport.

"This concept can be delivered by extending the rapid transit system from Broadbeach, where it is scheduled to terminate under stage one, to Burleigh and then out to Varsity train station.

"This could be stage two, with stage three being the replacement of the proposed heavy rail with light rail from Varsity station to the airport using the rail corridor already designated."

Premier Campbell Newman has previously said he would wait for the yet-to-be-established Gold Coast waterways authority to make a recommendation on a cruise ship terminal.

[SurfRail]

Funny you mention that Colin - I will be chatting with him next week. 

I am concerned about this recent article, a bit more than the last one.