We are obviously facing a future of more single-tracking. My question is:
Is WMATA doing it the best possible way?
Deep in the ethos of WMATA is transfers are evil, and should be avoided. I seem to recall a selling point was passengers would have 0 or 1 transfers between any two stations, but never 2. That may be laudable 9-5, but while single-tracking?
I'm pondering the concept of a short "single track shuttle train" that runs only along that segment. It would share platforms with the bifurcated regular trains; i.e. be nose-to-nose with them. This would require manual authority in the form of a rail supervisor on the 2 joint platforms with visual contact with the shuttle.
It would also need 2 operators on the shuttle; one on each end.
The goal is to get the shuttle to Station X, disembark its passengers and load the ones headed to Y & beyond, and get the flock out of there ASAP. They could even reduce that time by designating the center doors as IN-ONLY, and the end ones as EXIT-ONLY. They would require retraining passengers, but with platform minders in place.....
My thinking is this could reduce the ride length considerably, albeit with added transfers. And the perception of wait time would go down; i.e. instead of one 20 minute wait, passengers have two, say 7 & 9 minutes.
Does any other transit agency do this? Are there any studies?
Is WMATA doing it the best possible way?
Deep in the ethos of WMATA is transfers are evil, and should be avoided. I seem to recall a selling point was passengers would have 0 or 1 transfers between any two stations, but never 2. That may be laudable 9-5, but while single-tracking?
I'm pondering the concept of a short "single track shuttle train" that runs only along that segment. It would share platforms with the bifurcated regular trains; i.e. be nose-to-nose with them. This would require manual authority in the form of a rail supervisor on the 2 joint platforms with visual contact with the shuttle.
It would also need 2 operators on the shuttle; one on each end.
The goal is to get the shuttle to Station X, disembark its passengers and load the ones headed to Y & beyond, and get the flock out of there ASAP. They could even reduce that time by designating the center doors as IN-ONLY, and the end ones as EXIT-ONLY. They would require retraining passengers, but with platform minders in place.....
My thinking is this could reduce the ride length considerably, albeit with added transfers. And the perception of wait time would go down; i.e. instead of one 20 minute wait, passengers have two, say 7 & 9 minutes.
Does any other transit agency do this? Are there any studies?