Quote:
Originally Posted by Metro-One
capacity can be easily increased simply by increasing the frequency. Currently peak frequency is once every 3 minutes, but it can be eventually increased to once every 90 seconds. Also the stations can be expanded by 10 meters (35 feet) for another c-car to be added.
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90 seconds is about as low as you can go, because you need time for trains to slow down, stop, unload passengers, load up again, start, and get up to speed. If you're at capacity and you're already running every 90 seconds, then what?
We have this very problem in Washington. At the peak of rush hour we cannot increase train frequency any more than we already have, because of how long it takes to get people on and off at the major downtown stations. We have mostly 6 car trains, with platforms long enough for up to 8 cars, so the most obvious solution is to buy more rail cars and go to 8 car trains. There might be some benefit to changing the design of rail cars to have 4 or 5 doors instead of 3, but that's less desirable because it reduces the number of seats you can provide.
Anyway, like I said, I love the off-peak frequency of SkyTrain, but the shorter trains definitely limit the peak capacity considerably, as compared to more traditional subway systems.