Re: MELBOURNE TRAMS - SAFETY ZONES

[David McLoughlin <davemcl@REMOVEiprolink.co.nz>]

Ron BEST wrote:
 
> What about having traffic lights actuated by an approaching tram, when some
> one has pulled the cord to alight or when the driver sees people waiting and
> pushes a button?

Many, if not all the trams have a transponder, which the driver operates
either to speed the change of a traffic light to green for the tram, or
to keep a green phase going long enough to allow the tram to clear an
intersection.

I don't know if all traffic lights have the transponder equipment, but I
know many do... the last time I was in Melbourne, a tram driver
demonstrated it for me as he headed into town from Bundoora.

However, a lot more could be done to speed up tram traffic, including
more safety zones, as you suggest, and also by segregating more tram
tracks from traffic... many motorists seem to ignore Fairways.

David McLoughlin
Auckland New Zealand