Luas speed limits

syklops

Between Sandyford and where I get off there are two 'ghost stations', which were built and the developments they were due to service didn't get finished so the Luas doesn't stop at them. The Luas slows down upon approaching these stations pretty much to a crawl and then speeds up when it leaves them. I've noticed a notice near the start of each station stating you must travel at 6kph while travelling through the station.

Today on the luas it was pointed out to me that between Stillorgan and Killmacud there is a straight stretch of line with a speed of 20kph. Does anyone know the reasons for these limits? The 20kph one I only heard about today so I've not had much time to go mull over it. I really don't get the 6kph one for ghost stations at all.

Losty Dublin

The reasons for the low speed through the stops are partially due to the risk of colliding with passengers who may be on the track and partially so that Luas timing won't incease when they do come into service.

Other than that for the level crossing at the Stillorgan stop I'm not aware of a slow speed limit of 20KMH on the line. In saying that I'm not a regular passenger on the line and may not have noticed same.

syklops

Losty Dublin wrote: »

The reasons for the low speed through the stops are partially due to the risk of colliding with passengers who may be on the track.

That doesn't make any sense to me, because the stations are inaccessible, or at least very difficult to access. The track in many other places is much more accessible than at those particular points but there is no 6kph speed limit there.

and partially so that Luas timing won't incease when they do come into service.

That sounds more like Irish logic when it comes to transport to me.

Losty Dublin

syklops wrote: »

That doesn't make any sense to me, because the stations are inaccessible, or at least very difficult to access. The track in many other places is much more accessible than at those particular points but there is no 6kph speed limit there.

True. However the platform is there and safety cleared for so the speed limit is in force.

syklops wrote: »

That sounds more like Irish logic when it comes to transport to me.

Yep, you've said it

kc56

Could it be that there is a very small clearance between the platform edge and the floor of the Luas and that this is what restricts the speed through the stations?

grimbergen

syklops wrote: »

Between Sandyford and where I get off there are two 'ghost stations', which were built and the developments they were due to service didn't get finished so the Luas doesn't stop at them. The Luas slows down upon approaching these stations pretty much to a crawl and then speeds up when it leaves them. I've noticed a notice near the start of each station stating you must travel at 6kph while travelling through the station.

Today on the luas it was pointed out to me that between Stillorgan and Killmacud there is a straight stretch of line with a speed of 20kph. Does anyone know the reasons for these limits? The 20kph one I only heard about today so I've not had much time to go mull over it. I really don't get the 6kph one for ghost stations at all.

You're absolutely right about the speed restriction between Stillorgan and Kilmacud, have been wondering what it's about myself? It's on a straight stretch

syklops

kc56 wrote: »

Could it be that there is a very small clearance between the platform edge and the floor of the Luas and that this is what restricts the speed through the stations?

If that is the reason its kind of worrying isn't it?

kc56

syklops wrote: »

If that is the reason its kind of worrying isn't it?

Not really. LUAS was designed to stop at every station and also to be fully accessible. The accessibility means small clearances and these lead to reduced speeds.

With trains the compromise to allow high speeds, up to 100mph, through stations is that they are not accessible without a ramp. This is to preserve sufficient clearances that no part of the train can strike the platform allowing for rolling and track unevenness.

Jamie2k9

grimbergen wrote: »

You're absolutely right about the speed restriction between Stillorgan and Kilmacud, have been wondering what it's about myself? It's on a straight stretch

Rail heads, sleepers, ballast or overhead wires may need work.

syklops

kc56 wrote: »

Not really. LUAS was designed to stop at every station and also to be fully accessible. The accessibility means small clearances and these lead to reduced speeds.

With trains the compromise to allow high speeds, up to 100mph, through stations is that they are not accessible without a ramp. This is to preserve sufficient clearances that no part of the train can strike the platform allowing for rolling and track unevenness.

Reduced speed is one thing. 6kmph seems a little excessive.

Losty Dublin

syklops wrote: »

Reduced speed is one thing. 6kmph seems a little excessive.

Irish Rails adhere to a 5 MPH speed limit around publicly accessible sections of track such as Alexandra Road and Wexford Quay.

syklops

Losty Dublin wrote: »

Irish Rails adhere to a 5 MPH speed limit around publicly accessible sections of track such as Alexandra Road and Wexford Quay.

Well as I said before the stations are closed to the public so the public has no easy way of being on the track around those stations. It would easier to be on the track around Harcourt Street/St Stephens Green etc, but the Luas doesnt go as slowly as it does going through these two stations. Between Stillorgan and Kilmacud, it would be easy to get onto the track there but the Luas seems to travel at around 20KM.

Losty Dublin

syklops wrote: »

Well as I said before the stations are closed to the public so the public has no easy way of being on the track around those stations. It would easier to be on the track around Harcourt Street/St Stephens Green etc, but the Luas doesnt go as slowly as it does going through these two stations. Between Stillorgan and Kilmacud, it would be easy to get onto the track there but the Luas seems to travel at around 20KM.

Closed they may be to the public but the line is open to the public and it's relevant speed limits speed are in force, including those on stations. Only today on here we have a poster on this forum who talked about walking along an open railway line; sadly our operators can't be seen to take risks based on assumptions that nobody is there.

Jamie2k9

We are all also missing the point that there is signalling at all stations and the driver must be visibility able to see it and Luas signals only clear trams when they pass into the station platform so speeding through isn't an option.

kc56

Jamie2k9 wrote: »

We are all also missing the point that there is signalling at all stations and the driver must be visibility able to see it and Luas signals only clear trams when they pass into the station platform so speeding through isn't an option.

Luas has limited signals usually where Luas crossed roads or at the more active switching points like the Point, Connolly, Heuston, Red Cow etc. Otherwise it's like a bus - see and avoid. Luas platforms are not signaled unless that are close to a road crossing.