How will the next LRT disruption be prevented?
OC Transpo and the Rideau Transit Group (RTG) are looking at running more trains and using additional equipment to keep ice off the overhead power lines on the LRT in order to prevent another situation like the one the city endured this past week.
Trains on the Confederation Line LRT have been running the full length of the line between Tunney’s Pasture and Blair stations Wednesday after six days of service disruptions following a freezing rain event last Wednesday.
While OC Transpo and Rideau Transit Maintenance (RTM) say they are still investigating exactly what caused trains to stop between Hurdman and Lees stations, they have admitted that those stopped trains and a power outage later that night affected their ability to remove ice from the line effectively in a stretch of track between uOttawa and Tremblay stations.
Transit services general manager Renée Amilcar said Wednesday, in a memo to city council, that OC Transpo is working with RTG to adjust winter operations.
“Following this service disruption, our team is working with Rideau Transit Group (RTG) to review other mitigation strategies that can be implemented during future weather events,” Amilcar wrote. “This includes additional equipment options as well as operational measures like running non-service trains more frequently when extreme winter weather conditions are in the forecast.”
Currently, Amilcar says, mitigation measures include equipping some trains with special scrapers, called winter carbon strips or ice cutters, to aid in limiting ice buildup on the overhead catenary system—the wires that power the train—and running trains continually on the line, even after hours, to keep the wires clear.
Amilcar said about a quarter of the train fleet is currently equipped with the ice scrapers. At a media availability on Tuesday, Rideau Transit Maintenance CEO Mario Guerra said the number of trains using the scrapers is limited because they can damage the overhead wires if they’re overused in dry weather.
Guerra said Tuesday that the ice buildup from the freezing rain was so extreme that once the trains stopped near Lees, it became too difficult to clear ice in that area, forcing crews to have to chip the ice away manually, which contributed to the delay in restoring service.
A working group has been created to investigate the root cause of the train stoppage on Jan. 4 that includes experts from the city of Ottawa, RTG, and the train manufacturer Alstom. Guerra said he expects some preliminary information about what happened will be available “within weeks.”
A winter storm watch is in effect for Ottawa this week, calling for between 15 and 30 cm of snow. Amilcar said other mitigating measures that are already in place include switch heaters melt ice and snow before it can build up and snow fencing to preventing snow drifting.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Grandparents killed in wrong-way crash on Hwy. 401 identified
A 60-year-old man and a 55-year-old woman killed in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 earlier this week have been identified by the Consulate General of India in Toronto.
Police arrest 3 Indian nationals in killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar
Three people have been arrested and charged in the killing of B.C. Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar – as authorities continue investigating potential connections to the Indian government.
Suter scores late goal, clinches series for Canucks
Pius Suter scored with 1:39 left and the Vancouver Canucks advanced to the second round of the NHL playoffs with a 1-0 victory over the Nashville Predators on Friday night in Game 6.
TD worst-case scenario more likely after drug money laundering allegations: analyst
TD Bank Group could be hit with more severe penalties than previously expected, says a banking analyst after a report that the investigation it faces in the U.S. is tied to laundering illicit fentanyl profits.
Quebec man who threatened Trudeau, Legault online sentenced to 20 months in jail
A Quebec man who pleaded guilty to threatening Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier François Legault has been sentenced to 20 months in jail.
Human remains found in rural Sask. possibly a decade old, RCMP say
RCMP say human remains found in a rural area in central Saskatchewan may have been there for a decade or more.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Canadian doctor concerned new weight-loss drug Wegovy may be used inappropriately
As Wegovy becomes available to Canadians starting Monday, a medical expert is cautioning patients wanting to use the drug to lose weight that no medication is a ''magic bullet,' and the new medication is meant particularly for people who meet certain criteria related to obesity and weight.
Drew Carey is never quitting 'The Price Is Right'
Drew Carey took over as host of 'The Price Is Right' and hopes he’s there for life. 'I'm not going anywhere,' he told 'Entertainment Tonight' of the job he took over from longtime host Bob Barker in 2007.