Articles inside « Major projects » category
Air conditioning is not eco-friendly but comfort is a priority January 25, 2012
To maintain a comfortable temperature inside métro cars and in stations, we have to ensure proper ventilation.
In addition to existing métro car fans, mechanical and natural ventilation stations, the STM is reviewing its entire program to improve ventilation infrastructures. A pilot program, launched in June, is being conducted at Berri-UQAM métro station. Various sensors installed throughout the station allow for regular temperature monitoring and adjustments when required. If this project is conclusive, it may be extended to the entire network.
Air conditioning would generate more hot air in the tunnels and stations. This goes against our comfort objectives.
The new cars will not be air-conditioned. However, the ventilation system on board will be more effective while the braking system will help reduce heat build-up. The temperature will therefore be more evenly controlled all year round, regardless of the season.
For further informations:
- Reportage du lundi 23 janvier 2012 de Radio-Canada (in french only): Il fait chaud dans le métro
A green and gold bus garage ! December 13, 2011
Set to be built in Saint-Laurent, the new Stinson bus garage will be both green and gold! Not only is the two-storey building aiming for a LEED GOLD certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), but its construction is part of a comprehensive approach to sustainability.
Subscribing to the principles of sustainable development, the STM will make every effort to ensure this new building becomes the first LEED GOLD bus garage in Canada. Not only must the STM minimize the project’s impact on the environment and ensure the sound management of resources, it must above all concern itself with the quality of life of area residents. As such, all surface water, mud and dust produced during construction will be closely monitored. Outdoor light and noise pollution will be kept to a minimum, green spaces and wooded areas will be established to enhance the surrounding area and limit the formation of thermal islands, while building materials will be procured locally as much as possible. A rainwater recovery system will also recover some of the graywater produced by the garage. The green roof system will cover an area equal to one and a half football fields, roughly one quarter of the total roof surface area. Energy efficiency will also be optimized in order to recover up to 85% of the heat produced during cold snaps.
With a surface area of some 38 400 m2, the garage will house 300 buses, including 200 standard and 100 articulated ones. Plans also include basic installations needed for the eventual arrival of electric vehicles. The garage is expected to open in fall 2013 !
Dou-dou-dou… November 23, 2011
Dou-dou-dou… The new signal for closing doors can be heard in the métro, on the Orange and Blue lines. The new audio signature for the Montréal métro was tested in 2010 and, after a few technical adjustments following customer comments, it is currently being added gradually to all MR-73 métro cars.
Increased safety, improved passenger flow, and fewer breakdowns, these are all good reasons for adopting the audio signal, an international standard. It advises transit users to clear the doors as they are set to close almost immediately upon the audio signal being activated.
Click Metro_Doudoudou to hear the dou-dou-dou…
How does the dou-dou-dou signal work?
The audio signal can be heard when the door-closing mechanism is activated.
Two seconds later (T2), the door-closing cycle is initiated.
Two and a half seconds later (T4.5), the doors are closed and the train gets underway.
In five seconds at most, the doors are closed… so there’s no use running, another train will be by in a few minutes.
What is the reason for the dou-dou-dou ?
In substance, we feel the dou-dou-dou will:
o Prevent transit users from getting stuck between doors (and prevent further injuries).
o Prevent them from running or shoving other passengers to board the métro.
o Reduce the number of door malfunctions; on average, a door will break down once every 4 million times it opens and closes. In our métro, doors open and close over 300 million times a year.
o Prevent service delays. Did you know that in 2010, some 670 000 passengers were delayed by five minutes or more because of problems with doors ?
Why can the door-closing audio signal only be heard on the Orange and Blue lines ?The dou-dou-dou signal is being fitted aboard MR-73 cars, which operate on the 2 – Orange and 5 – Blue lines. MR-63 cars, currently in use on the Green and Yellow lines, are older than MR-73 cars and will be the first to be replaced by the future MPM-10 railcars. When that happens, MR-73 cars equipped with the dou-dou-dou signal will gradually be transferred over to the Green and Yellow lines.
Why can we sometimes hear two similar sounds a few minutes apart, and why does the recorded dou-dou-dou signal have such an electronic sound compared to the one produced by the power converter?
It is always possible for a train in the opposite direction to leave at the same time as the audio signal is heard on the first train. Indeed, after hearing the recorded signal for closing doors, one could possibly hear the “real” sound produced by the power converter (for more informations). In fact, it is for this reason that the recorded audio signal is slightly different and sounds more electronically-generated than the original one produced by the power converter. This way, the blind or visually-disabled can tell them apart.
How was the audio sound chosen?
- In 2009, six audio signals were tested (six audio signals). The idea was to synchronize the audio signal with the closing doors and then ask transit users for their opinion. None of the audio signals was chosen unanimously. However, the relevance of having an audio signal for closing doors was confirmed.
- In 2010, several Montrealers expressed their affection for the sound produced by the power converter, unique to the Montréal métro. This led the STM to electronically reproduce the sound, the famous dou-dou-dou, and to add a spoken message «Attention, nous fermons les portes», prior to conducting new tests using a train on the Orange line.
- Transit users made it clear the audio signal alone was enough, and the voice message was cancelled. Satisfied with its test results, the STM decided to go ahead with the audio signal. Currently, it is gradually overseeing its deployment aboard all métro cars operating on the Orange and Blue lines.
How fast is the dou-dou-dou being deployed ?
Installation is proceeding at a pace of one additional train per week. When activation of the audio signal begins, some 10 trains on the Orange line should feature the dou-dou-dou out of 34 trains running during rush hour.
WORKING THE NIGHT SHIFT? TAKE THE 3-5-0 BUSES September 8, 2011
You can now ride public transit every night aboard one of 23 bus lines, as a number of service improvements were made to the night network.
Three new bus routes were established: in the east end, the 353 – Lacordaire / Maurice-Duplessis; in the west end, the 354 – Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue / Centre-ville and the 376 – Pierrefonds / Centre-ville.
For faster and more efficient transportation, night buses run more often between Atwater and Frontenac metro stations, as the night network was redesigned to meet the specific needs of customers travelling in the downtown area.
Moreover, nine existing bus lines are extended for improved commuting, from east to west, north to south, and within the central part of the island. Buses run more frequently, while the number of transfers is now considerably lower, making your transit rides both faster and safer.
Listen carefully for a radio ad campaign featuring our message about the advantages of the night bus, broadcast by major French and English-speaking radio stations.Listen there: STM-Night time service
Once your night shift is over, ride the 353, 354, 355… or any other one in the 3-5-0…
