Mapping the Screens at 7th Street / Metro Center

April 24, 2013 11 Comments

Over the past few months, a number of screens have been added to the upper level of the 7th Street / Metro Center station. Since the Expo Line opened a year ago, there are now four lines sharing this station, and the screens show departure information for the Blue and Expo Lines (which are on the upper level), and the Red and Purple Lines (on the lower level).

Unfortunately, many of these screens have been added in less-than-useful places or show less-than-useful information.

Take, for example, these two screens that show you departure times on your way out of the station (presumably, after you’ve gotten off of the train), rather than on your way in.

On the left is the view as you exit the station toward Figueroa. There's two screens telling you train departure times. Meanwhile, those entering the station (view on the right) see a blank space with no information.

On the left is the view as you exit the station toward Figueroa. There are two screens showing you train departure times. Meanwhile, those entering the station (view on the right) see a blank space with no information.

Every day, when I get off the Expo Line and prepare to transfer to the Red Line, I (and a mad rush of commuters) practically run over to the stairs to peer down at the lower level in hopes that my train is not already sitting there, ready to close its doors as I’m stuck in a crowd trying to make my way downstairs. Every day, hanging from the ceiling just above me are two screens, both of which show departure times for Expo Line, which I just got off.

I’ve always thought to myself, “Wouldn’t it be nice if that screen showed the Red Line times instead?” Then, I could simply look up and know that my train wouldn’t be leaving for another 4 minutes and I’d have no reason to rush, letting those who did need to hurry tap their cards and get down the stairs before me. I started looking around the station and I realized there are a ton of screens, but they often show riders info for the lines they just got off, rather than the lines they might be going to.

So I decided to map out the screens and try to determine a more useful way to display the same information, just by changing what is on each screen.

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The Secrets of Metro Rail Operations

July 25, 2012 4 Comments

Last night, I went to the meeting of the Transit Coalition at Metro’s Headquarters. It was being billed as a place to “learn the secrets of metro rail,” and while I don’t know how much of this was secret, it was incredibly informative.

Bruce Shelburne, Metro’s Interim Executive Director of Rail Operations spoke and took questions for nearly two hours. Here are some of the best takeaways…

Special Event Service

With the fast-approaching college football season and the new Expo line passing by the Coliseum, Metro is heading into regular special event service for the first time. They’ve run extra trains or longer trains for events here and there, but nothing with 100,000 attendees directly off a light rail line, and nothing with the regularity of USC home football games. Shelburne says this will be a “gamechanger for us at Metro.”

USC Football at the Coliseum, plus the Expo Line, is a “gamechanger for Metro.” (Photo: Bobak Ha’Eri on Coliseum Wikipedia Page)

So far, the plan is to have trains running every 6 minutes in both directions on the Expo line for much of the day, hours before and after the games. There will be staff at every Expo station. Other lines will also have increased service and added staff at key stations. Metro is actively working with USC to get information on where fans come from and scheduling/staffing accordingly (this fan will be taking the Red/Purple Line from Union Station to the Expo Line — Fight On!). Service will be refined throughout the season.

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Lessons from Seattle part 3: Retail Development

January 9, 2012 1 Comment

Completing my series based on a trip I took to Seattle a few months ago, I conclude with retail development. (Previous posts looked at Airport Transit and Local Transit in Downtown Seattle.)

Because my time in Seattle was brief, I undoubtedly missed the vast majority that the city had to offer in terms of retail. I’m going to focus on a specific development, Pacific Place, with a few side notes as well.

I first noticed Pacific Place when I was eating dinner across the street one night. I was sitting on the patio and looked across the street, astounded that there was retail above the first floor on nearly every building. It was amazing because I am so used to retail being a ground floor aspect of buildings, with housing or offices above. What I didn’t know was that the “many” buildings I was looking at we’re actually one and that it was Pacific Place.

The shopping mall was designed to look like a number of buildings that had been built over time, and the major shops on the outer edge all had street facing entrances (as well as interior entrances). They acted almost like independent buildings from the street side, each with their own style as well.

From across the street, Pacific Place appears as multiple buildings, with retail and restaurants on all floors.

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In a Rush or Need a Rush? Stop at Rush Snack Bar

September 22, 2011 4 Comments

One night not too long ago I realized a terrible thing. I was out of breakfast food for the next morning. I was quickly saved from my predicament, however, when I remembered that Rush Snack Bar had recently opened in the 7th Street / Metro Center portal on Hope Street. Conveniently, this is the station I get off at every morning, so all I had to do was exit a different portal and I could have a breakfast and try a new place.

I had left with plenty of time that morning, so my experience wasn’t one of being in a rush… but it could have if needed. The menu of $1 items on the wall, plus bagels (although I wish they had blueberry and a bagel toaster — they could solve my Downtown bagel problem), pastries, and drinks could have had me in and out in barely longer than a minute or two. Instead, though, I went with a waffle. Sure, it takes a little longer to make, but the staff was extremely friendly and I had some time. Plus, take a look at this picture and tell me you wouldn’t be glad if you chose the same:

A freshly made waffle and bottle of fizzy Orangina made for a great breakfast while I people watched out the window to the subway portal.

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