Streetcar Noise Reduction King & Sumach Intersection. Community Meeting Toronto Transit Commission. Tuesday, June 27, 2017

Transcription

1 Streetcar Noise Reduction King & Sumach Intersection Community Meeting Toronto Transit Commission Tuesday, June 27, 2017

2 STREETCAR NOISE REDUCTION KING & SUMACH INTERSECTION AGENDA 1) Welcome and Introductions 2) Presentation 3) Discussion 4) Next Steps 2

3 RECAP NOV 2016 MEETING AND UPDATE New route 514 Cherry streetcar service First new streetcar route in Toronto in 16 years (June 19, 2016) Track curves designed for low floor streetcars Old streetcar operation June 2016 April 2017 New, low floor streetcar operation as of May

4 RECAP COMMUNITY CONCERNS Streetcar noise 1) Squealing noise - streetcars turning 2) Rumble - eastbound track switch, on King St 4

5 RECAP COMMUNITY CONCERNS Streetcar related noise (continued) 3) Streetcar horns, motorists on streetcar right of way 5

6 RECAP COMMUNITY CONCERNS ADDRESSING NOISE Temporary restricted hours for streetcar service to address noise Streetcars replaced by Wheel-Trans bus south of King Street. Bus after 10 p.m. daily Bus before 7 a.m. on weekdays Bus before 10 a.m. on weekends 6

7 RECAP COMMUNITY CONCERNS QUALITY OF TRANSIT SERVICE Concern with Wheel-Trans bus operation and streetcar transfer. TTC riders requested return of regular 514 streetcar at all hours to Distillery Loop as soon as possible (eliminate transfer to Wheel-Trans bus). Safety and accessibility concerns expressed with late night transfers, waiting at stops, particularly for persons with disabilities. 514 Cherry route is now designated accessible with full operation by low floor streetcars. 7

8 POST NOVEMBER 2016 MEETING Deploy new, low-floor streetcars onto 514 Cherry as they are delivered. Conduct additional noise measurements and verify reduction with 3 rd Party Testing. Continue operating Wheel-Trans shuttle until 514 operated by low floor streetcars and noise reduction verified by testing. 8

9 POST NOVEMBER 2016 MEETING 1. City improved signage on Cherry Street City installed additional signs Do Not Enter TTC Vehicles Excepted, No left turn and No right turn signs 2. Inspect rail components at King/Sumach Inspected and confirmed to be in good condition 3. Inspect trailing switches at King/Sumach Inspected and confirmed to be in good condition Cleaned regularly 4. Distillery Loop lubrication system Inspected and confirmed in good operating condition Cleaned regularly Remote monitoring 9

10 POST NOVEMBER 2016 MEETING 5. Concern regarding speed of streetcars crossing King/Sumach intersection Posted new overhead speed signs - 10km/h Increased monitoring via GPS Speed checks conducted weekly Nov. 20, 2016 to May 21, 2017 (excluding week of Dec 25/16) Over 85% of operators driving at or below 10km/hour 10

11 NOISE TESTS STREETCAR INTERSECTIONS MEASURED King and Sumach Broadview and Queen Bathurst and Fleet 11

12 COMPARABLE STREETCAR INTERSECTIONS The lower the curve radius, the higher the probability of wheel squeal 12

13 OTHER NOISE MITIGATION Lubrication system at Distillery Loop New low floor streetcar with on-board lubrication system. Wheel-Trans shuttle bus at late and early hours. Wheel-mounted noise damping rings in development; prototype testing in Q4,

14 NOISE MEASUREMENTS AT KING/SUMACH August 10, 2016: Base line Noise and Vibration measurements October 4 and 6, 2016: Noise and Vibration measurements after rail enhancement work May 4, 2017: Simultaneous noise measurements at King and Sumach, Queen and Broadview and Fleet and Bathurst (Measurements conducted and analyzed by TTC s consultant; Aercoustics Engineering Ltd.) 14

15 NOISE MEASUREMENTS AT KING/SUMACH EAST TO SOUTH TURN August, October 2016 vs. May 2017 Measurements Over 4 hours of testing with multiple streetcars passing. Average level over 4 hours. Low frequency end of chart is where the low rumble noise High frequency end is where the high pitch volume Noise levels trending down at King/Sumach 15

16 NOISE MEASUREMENTS AT KING/SUMACH NORTH TO WEST TURN August, October 2016 vs. May 2017 Measurements Over 4 hours of testing with multiple streetcars passing. Average level over 4 hours. Low frequency end of chart is where the low rumble noise. High frequency end is where the high pitch volume. Noise levels trending down at King/Sumach. 16

17 COMPARATIVE INTERSECTION TESTING Noise measurements May 4, 2017 King and Sumach - Queen and Broadview Bathurst and Fleet 17

18 UPDATES 514 Cherry operated with all new low-floor accessible streetcars as of May, 2017 Wheel-rail interface is improving, noise mitigation program is heading in the right direction as evidenced by noise level reductions. On-board wheel lubrication being enhanced for higher lubricant output 18

19 RAIL/WHEEL NOISE - FACTORS Weather Weather (e.g. rain, humidity, temperature fluctuation) can influence streetcar noise levels. TTC acknowledges it is not possible to eliminate streetcar wheel/rail squeal noise - particularly after rainfall, which washes lubricant away. New Technology TTC is continuing to strive to reduce streetcar noise levels by exploring new technology. Onboard wheel lubrication system. Vehicle side noise reduction through new wheel-mounted noise dampening rings is being pursued. Improved lubrication system units at streetcar loops 19

20 NEXT STEPS As committed, more measurements in August 2017 to verify consistency and sound levels. Wheel-mounted noise damping ring to further reduce high-pitch squeal is in development. Prototype testing to begin in Q4, Pursuing this technology to benefit entire city. King/Sumach signals for streetcar detection being repaired by contractor City/TTC. 20

21 NEXT STEPS SERVICE UPDATE Regular scheduled 514 Cherry streetcar service will resume on July (TBD), (Wheel-Trans bus service ends). 21

22 Questions Contact: Sr. Community Liaison