Council Passes Mobility Plan Unanimously.

[thelakelander]

If you can run heavy rail at grade where cars and pedestrians (ex. DC Metro's yellow line just north of Alexandria, VA) don't have to cross, why can't you do the same with the skyway?

[Ocklawaha]

And it would be in restricted access right-of-way adjacent to the FEC tracks.  Some at JTA tell me it can't be done, but I've learned not to believe everything they say.

http://www.youtube.com/v/VK_YvcxDT9E?fs=1&hl=en_US

JTA is pissing on somebody's leg and telling them it's raining... WATCH THE VIDEO, at 1:09... tell Doug and I that it can't be done!

OCKLAWAHA

[Dashing Dan]

I'm just saying that you have to design it so that nothing could ever get into the path of a moving vehicle.

If it was completely fenced off that would probably be okay.

[thelakelander]

Yes, it would have to be completely fenced off.

[tufsu1]

Trust me - you cannot build the skyway to run at grade.  

There's nobody on the train who could watch for obstructions.

as Lake said, you can  build at-grade in the section between Kings and Atlantic where there are no crossing streets...and then put up walls/fences on either side to keep people from getting on the tracks.

[dougskiles]

The greatest concern with being on grade is electrocution of unauthorized people walking on it.  It would have to be fenced and monitored just like they do at the stations with the alarm.  Still cheaper than elevating it, though.

[iMarvin]

Trust me - you cannot build the skyway to run at grade.  

There's nobody on the train who could watch for obstructions.

as Lake said, you can  build at-grade in the section between Kings and Atlantic where there are no crossing streets...and then put up walls/fences on either side to keep people from getting on the tracks.

That's too close to Landon. Very unsafe.

[Ocklawaha]

Actually at least two monorails run at grade in Florida right now.

1. The Skyway Maintenance Facility (where the tracks don't need protection)

2. Disney's 20,000 Leagues under the sea. That ride is simply a monorail that runs with the track covered in water to give the illusion of the sea... better still, boarding is at grade.


OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

That's too close to Landon. Very unsafe.

No closer than the FEC tracks.  If they can do this in cities with extensive heavy rail systems (right next to schools, residential areas, etc.) and nobody gets hurt, they can certainly do it in little ole Jacksonville.

[iMarvin]

Actually at least two monorails run at grade in Florida right now.

1. The Skyway Maintenance Facility (where the tracks don't need protection)

2. Disney's 20,000 Leagues under the sea. That ride is simply a monorail that runs with the track covered in water to give the illusion of the sea... better still, boarding is at grade.


OCKLAWAHA

But those aren't near anything.

[Dashing Dan]

Yes, it would have to be completely fenced off.

And stations along the line would have to include underpasses or overpasses.

[iMarvin]

That's too close to Landon. Very unsafe.

No closer than the FEC tracks.  If they can do this in cities with extensive heavy rail systems (right next to schools, residential areas, etc.) and nobody gets hurt, they can certainly do it in little ole Jacksonville.

Lol... I'm not sure how to respond to that. I guess your right.

[Ocklawaha]

The greatest concern with being on grade is electrocution of unauthorized people walking on it.  It would have to be fenced and monitored just like they do at the stations with the alarm.  Still cheaper than elevating it, though.

Pyracantha which is bright green with red berries, used everywhere for security or beauty.


Spanish Bayonet, another stunning plant you WON'T CRAWL THROUGH.

Not too close to Landon or anything else, it simply can be done. As Doug said, you fence it with something like barb wire topped chain-link, then the fence itself is hidden by landscape plantings of Spanish Bayonet and Pyracantha. Just add camera and alarms.


OCKLAWAHA

[thelakelander]

Yes, it would have to be completely fenced off.

And stations along the line would have to include underpasses or overpasses.

A station at Lasalle or Landon would need a pedestrian cross walk over the skyway and FEC tracks.  A station at Atlantic would not.

[Dashing Dan]

That's what I said.  You need overpasses or underpasses along the line, but not at the end of the line