Spotted outside of campus! The Seattle Streetcar testing on Broadway. We're excited for the new transportation opti… pic.twitter.com/gltdTcW9I9
— Seattle Central (@SeattleCentral) October 16, 2015
The Seattle Department of Transportation announced Wednesday that the delayed First Hill Streetcar project has moved into a “new phase of testing.”
Clearly, officials were referring to a marked increase of social media sightings of the project’s six trains from Pioneer Square to Capitol Hill:
Even rarer than a #Sasquatch sighting, the #Seattle #Streetcar #FirstHill line on the tracks last night pic.twitter.com/MJpPt0Dxtm
— Adam Paul Amrhein (@AdamPaulAmrhein) October 21, 2015
I got treated to a sneak peek of the new Broadway streetcar today! pic.twitter.com/xpDVAXzU0B
— Mike Judge (@mikelovesrobots) October 21, 2015
The view from 5th & Jackson. #streetcar #seattle pic.twitter.com/6RdUmJZWU0
— Matt Weiner (@walkingbassist) October 21, 2015
The streetcar is actually on the street today! pic.twitter.com/PAi23jaXKh
— Todd Mundt (@toddmundt) October 16, 2015
Capitol Hill streetcar sighting yesterday! pic.twitter.com/e0wKF21kb1
— P D (@peteyboy) October 16, 2015
omg streetcar pic.twitter.com/HgvxT5aMNE
— Chris Rovillos (@crovillos) October 13, 2015
There has also, apparently, been progress made on the effort to prepare the streetcar line for service:
The streetcar manufacturer recently completed acceptance tests on five new streetcars for the First Hill Line. Acceptance tests focused on the performance of the streetcars to make sure they meet requirements for acceleration and braking rates, among other performance parameters. These cars are now moving into “post-performance testing” of reliability after crews complete final inspections and put on the finishing touches on each car. Expect to see the cars moving about the alignment more regularly. Each car must be operated for at least 500 kilometers (310 miles), with no failures of equipment in the last 100 kilometers. If there are any issues in that last 100 kilometers, the test of the last 100 kilometers is re-started until there are no failures.
“Although these tests are focused on reliable vehicle performance, rather than a simulation of the service plan,” the announcement includes, “the testing will occur throughout much of the day and evening, offering a preview of what it will be like to have the cars in service.”
Seattle drivers have yet to learn that streetcar tracks won't swallow their tires. pic.twitter.com/Ri92SU7C2y
— Nicole (@nswan) October 17, 2015
SDOT also reminds that, in addition to posting pics to Twitter, this is a good time to test your safety knowledge of the new addition to the busy Capitol Hill streetscape. “If you are walking, biking or driving along the First Hill Streetcar, pay extra attention and follow our safety tips,” SDOT implores. We’ve included SDOT’s guidance, below.
I guess trucks might think about not parking in the middle of the street now eh?
Hope so.