News & Discussion: O-Bahn

[[Shuz]]

Pretty sure it will have some sort of anti-car mechanism built into the tracks.

If there isn't and one person manages to navigate the tunnel successfully in a car, that's only just going to encourage copycats.

I was only thinking the other day too - we still don't know what is the long-term plan for the O-Bahn itself. The tracks are approaching 30 years of age - five years past the 25 year structural lifespan of the concrete blocks. Are these due to be replaced or will they be worn out until absolutely rendered completely and utterly useless? (Anybody remember the state of the Glenelg tram line prior to re-sleepering works).

[Norman]

5 years ago engineers declared that the track was good for an additional 25 years, so I guess time will tell.

[rhino]

5 years ago engineers declared that the track was good for an additional 25 years, so I guess time will tell.

It would have been ridiculous to build the tunnel if this was not the case, surely?

[Brucetiki]

Pretty sure it will have some sort of anti-car mechanism built into the tracks.

If there isn't and one person manages to navigate the tunnel successfully in a car, that's only just going to encourage copycats.

I was only thinking the other day too - we still don't know what is the long-term plan for the O-Bahn itself. The tracks are approaching 30 years of age - five years past the 25 year structural lifespan of the concrete blocks. Are these due to be replaced or will they be worn out until absolutely rendered completely and utterly useless? (Anybody remember the state of the Glenelg tram line prior to re-sleepering works).

I thought the open pits served that purpose?

[Norman]

5 years ago engineers declared that the track was good for an additional 25 years, so I guess time will tell.

It would have been ridiculous to build the tunnel if this was not the case, surely?

Well, they could always rebuild the current track.

[monotonehell]

Last year, during the early stages of planning, the engineers were looking at different options to exclude non-obahn vehicles from the tunnel. There were considering things like barrier gates. I don't know what technology they ended on, but at the time I pointed out that no matter what they use, people are always going to tailgate buses and follow them in and pointed them to this video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0wY-hvMC44

[fishinajar]

I think the benefit to emergency vehicles would be huge if it were road surface. We have more tech. now. Traffic cameras could be positioned at both ends. License plates could be electronically checked. Hell...boom gates, bollards or pop up tyre spikes could be installed to take care of any unapproved vehicles that enter.

[fishinajar]

Pretty sure it will have some sort of anti-car mechanism built into the tracks.

If there isn't and one person manages to navigate the tunnel successfully in a car, that's only just going to encourage copycats.

I was only thinking the other day too - we still don't know what is the long-term plan for the O-Bahn itself. The tracks are approaching 30 years of age - five years past the 25 year structural lifespan of the concrete blocks. Are these due to be replaced or will they be worn out until absolutely rendered completely and utterly useless? (Anybody remember the state of the Glenelg tram line prior to re-sleepering works).

I did ask a while back how future proof the tunnel would be for trams and or double decker buses. If I remember correctly you burned me for my comments shuz

[monotonehell]

I think the benefit to emergency vehicles would be huge if it were road surface. We have more tech. now. Traffic cameras could be positioned at both ends. License plates could be electronically checked. Hell...boom gates, bollards or pop up tyre spikes could be installed to take care of any unapproved vehicles that enter.

People's faith in technology in the face of the actions of people is misplaced. Idiots can be very cunning. See above video.

[rubberman]

I think the benefit to emergency vehicles would be huge if it were road surface. We have more tech. now. Traffic cameras could be positioned at both ends. License plates could be electronically checked. Hell...boom gates, bollards or pop up tyre spikes could be installed to take care of any unapproved vehicles that enter.

People's faith in technology in the face of the actions of people is misplaced. Idiots can be very cunning. See above video.

I agree that there's almost no way to idiot-proof the entrance, cameras and hefty fines would at least provide some tax revenue.

[citywatcher]

Won't be track or road
Will be concrete base with concrete kerbing to guide the buses

[duke]

I like these

[ChillyPhilly]

I like these

That's awesome!

[monotonehell]

Very clever. It would be a little better if the water fell directly into a drain instead of pooling.

Still would not stop someone zen navigating behind a bus.

[citywatcher]

The viaduct behind the wine centre that runs under Hackney Rd has created a challenge