PHILADELPHIA TRAM & TROLLEYBUS NETWORK

PART 3

There are a number of pockets for left-turning vehicles provided along the line, but this might cause delays since a car in front of the trolley waits until the end of the traffic light cycle, thus leaving the trolley confronted by a subsequent red light. Girard Av. / Columbia Av. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

The signage indicating left turn pockets is not always adequate. As the entrance into the pocket is usually located prior to the intersection and before the platform, drivers do not see what streets they are about to turn into. Thus, the most common violation happens when cars turn left from the right lane, from the right side of the platform, practically crossing in the path of the trolley moving in the same direction at 90-degree angle. Girard Av. / Frankford Av. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Curbside bus stops via route 15 are suspended, signs direct passengers to the platforms in the middle of the street. Some stops are lost altogether, thus with the trolleys return the spacing between stops slightly increased. Girard Av. / Oxford St. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Girard Av. / Oxford St. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Girard Av. / Front St., the Girard Station, Market-Frankford Line. Westbound bus. Bus routes that run alongside route15 are redirected to stop at platforms as well. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

This car had to be picked up and the rear of it had to be carried over sideways to let trolleys go by. It was promptly ticketed. Girard Av. / Bambrey St. Eastbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

A right-of-way being blocked by parked cars is the most common source of delays of trolley service. To my surprise, most incidents were resolved relatively quickly. This one involved about a minute of a delay until the driver was found. Girard Av. / Bambrey St. Eastbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

This sign does not only remind drivers not to block trolley, but provides an introduction into what trolley actually looks like. Girard Av. / 28 St. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Some sections of the right-of-way are designated for the trolley and bus use only, although the entire right-of-way is paved and accessible to cars. The signage is not clear enough, which prompts a lot of confusion among motorists, resulting in multiple violations, intentional or not. Girard Av. / Sedgley Av., Fairmount Park. Westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Impressive track-and-stop ergonomics at Girard Av. / Schuylkill Expwy, near the Zoo. Westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

One 10-minute delay occurred due to a pole jumping the wire, with operator refusing to pull it back up as she did not have enough training to do so! She waited for another trolley with a more experienced operator, who helped put the pole back onto the wire. Girard Av. / Lancaster Av. Eastbound PCC car via route 15; westbound LRV car via route 10. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Girard Av. / Lancaster Av. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Lancaster Av. between two branches of Girard Av. Eastbound LRV car serving route 10 sits in traffic at this always-too-busy intersection. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

All switches observed seemed to require manual operation. Lancaster Av. / Girard Av. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Trolleys also didnt perform well while caught in traffic, mostly due to low driving manners and due to drivers refusal to recognize trolleys inability to go around the obstacle. This was most evident at the intersection of Lancaster Av. / Girard Av. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

The final resolution of the issue. I really miss the European yield-for-tram-whenever rules. Lancaster Av. / Girard Av. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

Another source of delays. Girard Av. / 57 St. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)

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[ Philadelphia ] [ USA ]
© 2002 Contents: Yury Maller. Presentation: Stefan Mashkevich. Usage of material found herein is permitted provided the source is mentioned. Usage for public display is possible with authors' permission only.
Last update 01-Oct-2005

	There are a number of pockets for left-turning vehicles provided along the line, but this might cause delays since a car in front of the trolley waits until the end of the traffic light cycle, thus leaving the trolley confronted by a subsequent red light. Girard Av. / Columbia Av. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	The signage indicating left turn pockets is not always adequate. As the entrance into the pocket is usually located prior to the intersection and before the platform, drivers do not see what streets they are about to turn into. Thus, the most common violation happens when cars turn left from the right lane, from the right side of the platform, practically crossing in the path of the trolley moving in the same direction at 90-degree angle. Girard Av. / Frankford Av. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Curbside bus stops via route 15 are suspended, signs direct passengers to the platforms in the middle of the street. Some stops are lost altogether, thus with the trolleys return the spacing between stops slightly increased. Girard Av. / Oxford St. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Girard Av. / Oxford St. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Girard Av. / Front St., the Girard Station, Market-Frankford Line. Westbound bus. Bus routes that run alongside route15 are redirected to stop at platforms as well. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	This car had to be picked up and the rear of it had to be carried over sideways to let trolleys go by. It was promptly ticketed. Girard Av. / Bambrey St. Eastbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	A right-of-way being blocked by parked cars is the most common source of delays of trolley service. To my surprise, most incidents were resolved relatively quickly. This one involved about a minute of a delay until the driver was found. Girard Av. / Bambrey St. Eastbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	This sign does not only remind drivers not to block trolley, but provides an introduction into what trolley actually looks like. Girard Av. / 28 St. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Some sections of the right-of-way are designated for the trolley and bus use only, although the entire right-of-way is paved and accessible to cars. The signage is not clear enough, which prompts a lot of confusion among motorists, resulting in multiple violations, intentional or not. Girard Av. / Sedgley Av., Fairmount Park. Westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Impressive track-and-stop ergonomics at Girard Av. / Schuylkill Expwy, near the Zoo. Westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	One 10-minute delay occurred due to a pole jumping the wire, with operator refusing to pull it back up as she did not have enough training to do so! She waited for another trolley with a more experienced operator, who helped put the pole back onto the wire. Girard Av. / Lancaster Av. Eastbound PCC car via route 15; westbound LRV car via route 10. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Girard Av. / Lancaster Av. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Lancaster Av. between two branches of Girard Av. Eastbound LRV car serving route 10 sits in traffic at this always-too-busy intersection. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	All switches observed seemed to require manual operation. Lancaster Av. / Girard Av. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Trolleys also didnt perform well while caught in traffic, mostly due to low driving manners and due to drivers refusal to recognize trolleys inability to go around the obstacle. This was most evident at the intersection of Lancaster Av. / Girard Av. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	The final resolution of the issue. I really miss the European yield-for-tram-whenever rules. Lancaster Av. / Girard Av. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)
	Another source of delays. Girard Av. / 57 St. Looking from a windshield window of a westbound car. (25-Sep-2005, YM)