If it wasnB次元官网网址檛 for a computer glitch, Victoria transit buses could be saving valuable time shuttling people along Douglas Street.
Twenty-two traffic lights from Belleville Street to Uptown feature a high-tech ability to allow approaching buses to make it through intersections faster. ThereB次元官网网址檚 one problem: part of the system isnB次元官网网址檛 functioning.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e not sure if itB次元官网网址檚 a hardware or software issue,B次元官网网址� said Dwayne Kalynchuk, VictoriaB次元官网网址檚 director of engineering and public works. B次元官网网址淎s soon as we find the glitch, weB次元官网网址檒l implement the balance of the system.B次元官网网址�
Detectors at each intersection pick up the global positioning service signal automatically relayed by buses travelling Douglas Street. That signal can extend a green light or shorten a red light by eight seconds.
When city staff tried to get the technology up and running four weeks ago, it discovered a malfunction was plaguing one of two types of controllers installed at an unknown number of traffic lights.
B次元官网网址淏efore we put it into operation on the road, we wanted to make sure everything was okay,B次元官网网址� Kalynchuk said,
While waiting for the technology supplier, California-based company Econolite, to fix the problem over the next six to eight weeks, the city is piloting the queue-jumper technology at three intersections along Douglas Street at Fisgard and Harold streets and Caledonia Avenue.
ItB次元官网网址檚 the first time the $2.9-million transit priority signal system, funded by a provincial infrastructure grant in 2005, has been used since its installation in 2009.
Why it has taken so long is unclear.
B.C. Transit staff were not available to explain the delay but the companyB次元官网网址檚 public relations manager, Joanna Linsangan, said, B次元官网网址淩est assured, B.C. Transit is working with the City of Victoria to move this project forward.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淐ertainly itB次元官网网址檚 taken longer than anticipated and what the delayB次元官网网址檚 been I (donB次元官网网址檛 know),B次元官网网址� said Kalynchuk. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not going to point fingers it was them or us as much as weB次元官网网址檙e working together on a team to get this operational as quickly as we can.
B次元官网网址淭ransit had to provide certain information to us to move forward, and I think there was just additional time required for the project.B次元官网网址�
The technology is one option B.C. Transit could use to improve its bus service while the region waits for light rail.
The Victoria Regional Transit Commission recently asked B.C. Transit to explore ways of moving people faster, especially along busy Douglas Street.
In addition to the transit signalling system, high-occupancy vehicle or carpool lanes during peak traffic hours might be another option, said Victoria Mayor Dean Fortin.
B次元官网网址淵ou need a system thatB次元官网网址檚 reliable,B次元官网网址� he said.
emccracken@vicnews.com
