Thread by @BRADLEYWTHOMAS

For a one time capital cost of about $220,000 (which we can use federal money to pay for) we can speed up the @CB_Connector by 5 minutes per loop, creating faster, more frequent service that will help drive ridership even higher.

Here’s a quick glossary on the types of improvements proposed- “Change Light Sequence” refers to the mid-block crossings where the streetcar changes lanes.

At these lights, the current sequence is-

Green Light
Red Light
Pedestrian Walk Phase
Streetcar Movement Signal

Simply changing the sequence to-

Green Light
Red Light
Streetcar Movement Signal
Pedestrian Walk Phase

would save almost 90 seconds per loop

“Streetcar Priority Signal” means that when the streetcar pulls up to one of the three locations where the streetcar is given its own signal to turn across traffic, that streetcar only signal is given to the streetcar in the next light phase, rather than at the end of the cycle.

For both “Change Light Sequence” and “Streetcar Priority Signal” all of the hardware needed to make these improvements is already installed. The only cost would be the staff time to reprogram our existing assets.

“Hold Green” allows a streetcar to keep a light green for a few seconds longer. This allows either the streetcar to make the light, or for the streetcar to clear the traffic in front of the platform to allow passengers to board.

“Trigger Green” means that whenever the streetcar approaches a light, it will automatically receive a green light.

“Coordinated Signals” refer to signals that give the streetcar a green light when the signal immediately before it on the route is triggered.

The aggregate effect of all of these improvements would be a marked increase in streetcar speeds, shorter waits, and higher ridership.

For a one-time capital cost of around $220,000 we can make tremendous improvements to the system that will pay for themselves many times over.

This proposal is a low-cost, high-impact strategy that will ensure that we get the most out of our investment in the Cincinnati Bell Connector.

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