For a pedestrian to collide with a tram in Melbourne h/she has to cross the motor vehicle lane(s) first, except in Bourke St. Mall and perhaps in Royal Park.  In Sydney whenever they add a modern tram line to a road they remove general motor traffic and effectively convert it to the Bourke St. Mall style, so I suppose there is a higher likelihood that pedestrians neglect the presence of an approaching tram causing conflicting movement.

Moral to the story, to help keep trams safe from those who do not fear these silent bone crushing beasts, ensure the trams are well protected by busy traffic either side to help clean up any strays leaving the safety of the foot path.

They seem like during the latest tests, everything is set up. A 10 News Report a few days ago says that it will be open by December. They also talked about being safe near tramways, as soon they could cause deaths....

Mobile phone zombies.

Also, patrons of the pubs and clubs on George Street (and to a lesser extent Devonshire) spill out onto the road totally sloshed, particularly on Friday and Saturday.

Should be no worse than when there were cars

The road traffic ran more frequently so tended to keep the way clear, and also the tram platforms apparently provide a nice seat, a driver reported coming down George Street to find a dozen or so sitting on the platform edge. While (ex) patrons were apparently completely oblivious to the tram, the bouncers were not, and they came out and cleared them off the tracks.

This is filed by the tram drivers under 'route knowledge'. It's more than speeds, points and signals. It's learning when all the pubs and clubs close so they can look out for strays.

The road traffic ran more frequently so tended to keep the way clear, and also the tram platforms apparently provide a nice seat, a driver reported coming down George Street to find a dozen or so sitting on the platform edge. While (ex) patrons were apparently completely oblivious to the tram, the bouncers were not, and they came out and cleared them off the tracks.

This is filed by the tram drivers under 'route knowledge'. It's more than speeds, points and signals. It's learning when all the pubs and clubs close so they can look out for strays.

Once the trams operation is regular with people using them and become common knowledge in public domain, things will no doubt change.

It reminds me of the advertisement taken in Bourke St. Mall with someone in a rubbish bin waving to a tram: "Go around!  Go around!"

Melbourne has coped for 150 years mingling pedestrians and trams.

Sydney will be fine, hopefully the darwin awards are limited.

Good Tram Drivers are observant enough to realise which pedestrians are aware of their presence and which aren't.

Good Tram Drivers are observant enough to realise which pedestrians are aware of their presence and which aren't.

Last night on George Street I heard a driver use the horn to attract the attention of a suicidal phone-zombie.

Where the pubs and clubs are and their closing times are part of route-knowledge
(And not so the driver knows where to go for a stiff drink off shift either.)

I am not usually very critical about the government, but let's do this with no bias to the Liberals:

After 4 years of construction, 1 year late, spending an extra 500 million dollars, destroying the local streets, having a dumb contract company, crumbling houses, confusion and delay, and lots more. Today, there is now a confirmed date of the L2 Line between Circular Quay and Randwick. The date is December 14th 2019, and the L3 to Juniors Kingsford will open in March 2020.

The pain and suffering from construction is over, the threat of no trams is over, everything is over. And the streets will now be THRIVING! Our long, tramaphobic nightmare, is over.

What do you think about the Light Rail finally being opened? What could be happening during the opening? And, what's next for Light Rail?

Perhaps I have missed something here but from a picture in a press release there seems to be a ground power section which is believed to be the main reason for budget blow-out and project delay.  It would be a custom feature for trams and infrastructure which means more tax-payers money spent.  On what?  To make the thing look better without overhead?  What  expensive "cosmetics"!  At least Melbourne's controversial adoption of low floor trams early this century benefits once-in-a-while wheel-chair bound passengers, whom does the absence of overhead benefit?

Perhaps I have missed something here but from a picture in a press release there seems to be a ground power section which is believed to be the main reason for budget blow-out and project delay.  It would be a custom feature for trams and infrastructure which means more tax-payers money spent.  On what?  To make the thing look better without overhead?  What  expensive "cosmetics"!  At least Melbourne's controversial adoption of low floor trams early this century benefits once-in-a-while wheel-chair bound passengers, whom does the absence of overhead benefit?

The ground based system is in regular daily use across the whole 13km route of the Dubai tram and it works.

Did Sydney need overhead less tram, no! The technology has likely been surpassed by battery technology and simply removing short sections of O/H where for what ever reason its deemed not suitable.

I am not usually very critical about the government, but let's do this with no bias to the Liberals:

After 4 years of construction, 1 year late, spending an extra 500 million dollars, destroying the local streets, having a dumb contract company, crumbling houses, confusion and delay, and lots more. Today, there is now a confirmed date of the L2 Line between Circular Quay and Randwick. The date is December 14th 2019, and the L3 to Juniors Kingsford will open in March 2020.

The pain and suffering from construction is over, the threat of no trams is over, everything is over. And the streets will now be THRIVING! Our long, tramaphobic nightmare, is over.

What do you think about the Light Rail finally being opened? What could be happening during the opening? And, what's next for Light Rail?

Its here, like GC and pain the pain of construction will soon be forgotten by most.

Perhaps I have missed something here but from a picture in a press release there seems to be a ground power section which is believed to be the main reason for budget blow-out and project delay.  

While the APS did add a lot of arguably unnecessary cost, it wasn't the sole source of 'cost overruns'. Quite a lot of the rest of the route suffered from poor initial project scoping which lead to cost increases too.

The cost difference between APS and the original battery solution was known quite early and given the combination of grades and Sydney climate airconditioning loads, was probably the right call. (Wire-free was a condition of the Sydney City Council being onboard with the project.)

Google seems a bit too excited about Light Rail. They have finished adding in the station, and now have put in the line saying that it is open. It is pretty irrelevant, but I want to show you anyways.

Ready for the opening festivities tomorrow. An 'original' George Street electric tram.

Ready for the opening festivities tomorrow. An 'original' George Street electric tram.

I will be coming to the opening tomorrow, what will be there tomorrow?

Ready for the opening festivities tomorrow. An 'original' George Street electric tram.

I will be coming to the opening tomorrow, what will be there tomorrow?

Nice that they remembered that this is not the first tram line in this part of the city.

Pity that the tram is not parked at the end of the spare platform track.

I'll be there tomorrow of course.

Nice that they remembered that this is not the first tram line in this part of the city.

Pity that the tram is not parked at the end of the spare platform track.

I'll be there tomorrow of course.

There is no spare platform track, they use all 3 in rotation. (Presumably to ensure that all aspects of the equipment get regularly used/tested.

Putting the heritage tram on the actual track connected to the operating LR system would be all sorts of pain paperwork and regulation wise. Too much work for too little (short term) gain.

Nice that they remembered that this is not the first tram line in this part of the city.

Pity that the tram is not parked at the end of the spare platform track.

I'll be there tomorrow of course.

There is no spare platform track, they use all 3 in rotation. (Presumably to ensure that all aspects of the equipment get regularly used/tested.

Putting the heritage tram on the actual track connected to the operating LR system would be all sorts of pain paperwork and regulation wise. Too much work for too little (short term) gain.

Well they probably don't need all three until L3 is complete but yes, the paperwork would be reason enough to park it off the rails. There is no O/H to use so pointless putting on operational track anyway.

It would appear the new Sydney tram is following the Metro on opening day with its own teething issues

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-12-14/sydney-light-rail-breaks-down-at-circular-quay-after-launch/11800434

Arrived at Town Hall at 1125 for a 1200 lunch at Westfield so instead of walking we tried the tram. We had to walk a long way through an empty race to reach the platform. Within a few minutes a tram arrived with destination board "Not in service". When the door opened we got in anyway. There were plenty of other passengers. Off at QVB and on to lunch.

After lunch we wanted to ride the whole route. Went to QVB northbound. Long queue in the race. Young orange coated "helper" was only allowing a maximum of 20 passengers on the platform even though the passing trams were obviously not full. Then it was our turn but we had to wait 20 minutes for a tram, this one already full. Squeezed in. Five minutes and no motion, 10 minutes it was becoming hot so the elderly and parents with toddlers opened the doors and left, 15 minutes we too gave up and went for along afternoon tea upstairs in the QVB. Came down to find the platform police distracted and a tram coming so we caught it. So we missed seeing how the blockage was cleared.

Inspected the C-class at Circular Quay then rode all the way to Randwick and back to Central.

Random observations:

* I expect that when the event fencing and "helpers" are removed people will be happy to use the trams and stations as designed.

* The cars don't have straps from which to hang so standing passengers were being thrown around at curves and when starting but regular passengers will soon get to know when to brace themselves like bus passengers do now.

* In the city the trams wait for a minute or two after closing the doors before proceeding.

* I expect that fitness enthusiasts will use the trams to pace their walking/jogging/running activities to see who can beat the tram by the biggest margin.

* Once past Moore Park on the old tramway alignment the new trams actually do go fast. Thanks to Milton Morris for saving the reservation for us.

* The seats are narrow and the foot space is less than some bus seats.

* The wide doors do allow for rapid boarding.

* Unlike the L1 trams the L2 trams have clear windows which makes to journey more pleasant in my opinion. We could easily see horses being readied for their race at Randwick and the big fig tress in Wansey Road.

* The terminus at Randwick is in a really helpful place outside the hospital. I expect that the station will be heavily used by staff and patients.

* There is a 10km/hr sign at the north exit of the Moore Park tunnel. This seems unnecessarily slow.

* Passengers from Circular Quay to Randwick will find that it is quickest to catch the train to central then change to the tram. Only tourists will travel the whole route in the tram.

Arrived at Town Hall at 1125 for a 1200 lunch at Westfield so instead of walking we tried the tram. We had to walk a long way through an empty race to reach the platform. Within a few minutes a tram arrived with destination board "Not in service". When the door opened we got in anyway. There were plenty of other passengers. Off at QVB and on to lunch.

After lunch we wanted to ride the whole route. Went to QVB northbound. Long queue in the race. Young orange coated "helper" was only allowing a maximum of 20 passengers on the platform even though the passing trams were obviously not full. Then it was our turn but we had to wait 20 minutes for a tram, this one already full. Squeezed in. Five minutes and no motion, 10 minutes it was becoming hot so the elderly and parents with toddlers opened the doors and left, 15 minutes we too gave up and went for along afternoon tea upstairs in the QVB. Came down to find the platform police distracted and a tram coming so we caught it. So we missed seeing how the blockage was cleared.

Inspected the C-class at Circular Quay then rode all the way to Randwick and back to Central.

Random observations:

* I expect that when the event fencing and "helpers" are removed people will be happy to use the trams and stations as designed.

* The cars don't have straps from which to hang so standing passengers were being thrown around at curves and when starting but regular passengers will soon get to know when to brace themselves like bus passengers do now.

* In the city the trams wait for a minute or two after closing the doors before proceeding.

* I expect that fitness enthusiasts will use the trams to pace their walking/jogging/running activities to see who can beat the tram by the biggest margin.

* Once past Moore Park on the old tramway alignment the new trams actually do go fast. Thanks to Milton Morris for saving the reservation for us.

* The seats are narrow and the foot space is less than some bus seats.

* The wide doors do allow for rapid boarding.

* Unlike the L1 trams the L2 trams have clear windows which makes to journey more pleasant in my opinion. We could easily see horses being readied for their race at Randwick and the big fig tress in Wansey Road.

* The terminus at Randwick is in a really helpful place outside the hospital. I expect that the station will be heavily used by staff and patients.

* There is a 10km/hr sign at the north exit of the Moore Park tunnel. This seems unnecessarily slow.

* Passengers from Circular Quay to Randwick will find that it is quickest to catch the train to central then change to the tram. Only tourists will travel the whole route in the tram.

I also noticed the following:

There were too many trams in service, and were also too close together. We had to stop for over 5 minutes for a tram to depart from Moore Park and Randwick!

AC would turn off when the tram stopped.

There seems to be more room for passengers, when they go on the L1 someday, there will be WAY MORE space!

I hitched a ride on the new L2 LRV service, thankfully it did not break down. Here are my thoughts:

First impressions:
- LED destination displays on the front and sides of the tram are clear and readable from a distance.
- Flanges to minimise gaps between gaps and doors
- Lots of standing room
- Seats are reasonably comfortable
- Minimal screeching noises as the tram turns
- Clear audible voice in PA announcements
- Onboard screens showcases approaching stop name, as well as upcoming 2 stops and either left or right door opening at each stop.
- Detailed information near each tram stop such as nearby tourist destinations / suburbs, interchanges with other tram lines and transport modes such as ferries and trains.
- From Town Hall to Circular Quay, the tram becomes powered by a charged rail beneath it. (Idk the name of the component that acts like a nether pantograph).
- Lots of space to fit wheelchairs and prams
- Seats are differently coloured (grey for disabled, elderly and special needs passengers; Red for normal commuters).
- Request button for disabled passengers, logically allowing more time for doors to be open.
- Coupled trams does allow for faster boarding and alighting of many passengers

Concerns:
- Inadequate handrails and handhold straps in the middle of each segment
- Lack of a stop-request button for passengers except for disabled wheelchair passengers
- Doors close too quickly for elderly and disabled passengers to alight or board the tram
- No PA announcement detailed either the left or right door opening at each stop
- Doors don't open automatically upon arriving at a platform stop
- Lack of notification by the driver and PA announcement that the button needs to be pressed to open the door.
- Vulnerability to electrical faults, leading to chaos, confusion and delays.
- Tram slightly jerk when turning around a sharp curve
- Prefers to see more information regarding the suburbs or busy interchanges each tram line passes through rather than just the destination such as Randwick via George St, Central, Moore Park and UNSW.
- Coupled trams are so long, they could potentially block intersections or junctions if a fault or blockage occurs at an unfortunate time.
- Lack of traffic light priority at every busy intersection

The door open button does serve to clean the gene pool, but the Melbourne Citadis have a request mode and an all-open mode, which I'm not sure whether it's possible to select on the Sydney's model.  If you want to mininize passenger complaints it would be good if the all-open mode could be selected, as on Tangara trains.  As to the door speed, again taking the Melbourne version as an example.  There is a door button but there are also two door authorization buttons controlling which side of doors to open.  The normal door closing programme is the warning tone sounding for a couple of seconds followed by the door closure, but if the driver is in a hurry, h/she could press the authorization button at the same time as pressing the door open/close button to withdraw the authorization to that side so that the doors would start moving immediately.  The driver would then reopen the authority to that side with the door open/close switch remaining at close so the doors would continue to close but the rubber edges would have protection. (With the authorization withdrawn the doors would keep powering towards the closed position even if they jam passengers)  I'm not sure on the Sydney model the doors are programmed to close so quickly or are drivers doing such tricks.  However there is a rule in Melbourne that if a tram is stopped for a red signal at a safety zone or platform stop, the doors shall be kept open until the previous cycle turns amber, which I think is very user-friendly and makes efficient use of time, and should be adopted by the Sydney's network if they haven't done so, but you would want the doors to close as quickly as possible once the driver is ascertained that the proceed signal is about to begin.

The door open button does serve to clean the gene pool, but the Melbourne Citadis have a request mode and an all-open mode, which I'm not sure whether it's possible to select on the Sydney's model.  If you want to mininize passenger complaints it would be good if the all-open mode could be selected, as on Tangara trains.  As to the door speed, again taking the Melbourne version as an example.  There is a door button but there are also two door authorization buttons controlling which side of doors to open.  The normal door closing programme is the warning tone sounding for a couple of seconds followed by the door closure, but if the driver is in a hurry, h/she could press the authorization button at the same time as pressing the door open/close button to withdraw the authorization to that side so that the doors would start moving immediately.  The driver would then reopen the authority to that side with the door open/close switch remaining at close so the doors would continue to close but the rubber edges would have protection. (With the authorization withdrawn the doors would keep powering towards the closed position even if they jam passengers)  I'm not sure on the Sydney model the doors are programmed to close so quickly or are drivers doing such tricks.  However there is a rule in Melbourne that if a tram is stopped for a red signal at a safety zone or platform stop, the doors shall be kept open until the previous cycle turns amber, which I think is very user-friendly and makes efficient use of time, and should be adopted by the Sydney's network if they haven't done so, but you would want the doors to close as quickly as possible once the driver is ascertained that the proceed signal is about to begin.

Sorry for the repeated post as my internet connection is poor.