Does the S.L.U.T. have to wait for pedestrians?

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« Photo of suspected bank robber released | Main | Fatal Snohomish fire, and other morning headlines »

Does the S.L.U.T. have to wait for pedestrians?

The South Lake Union Streetcar moves through the intersection of 9th Avenue as it heads north on Westlake Avenue. (Andy Rogers/P-I)

Q: When the South Lake Union Streetcar turns from one street to another, is the driver expected to wait for pedestrians to cross the way cars are expected to wait? Or is there a different expectation when there are tracks?

A: Streetcars follow general traffic rules, so if they are turning onto a street with pedestrians in the crosswalk they have to wait for them.

The reader said at the intersection of Westlake Avenue North and Thomas Street, he's seen streetcar drivers have different reactions. Some ring their bells to warn pedestrians, others don't.

The streetcars ring their bells when approaching any areas of potential pedestrian interface because they are quieter than motor vehicles, Seattle Department of Transportation spokesman Rick Sheridan said.

Cars, in some cases, have difficulties with the street, or South Lake Union Trolly.

In April, the streetcar was involved in its fourth accident since beginning operation in December. In that case, a car allegedly ran a stop sign and hit the trolly.

City officials said in the three other cases, the vehicle drivers were at fault.

For a streetcar route map, click here.

Thanks to people who submitted questions. We'll continue this as a regular Seattle 911 feature.

Click on the links for previous answers.

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Submitted questions may be edited or paraphrased for length.

Posted by at October 1, 2008 12:06 a.m.

Comments

#190056

Posted by gyngve at 10/1/08 8:32 a.m.

I'm shocked the article didn't mention the numerous bicycle accidents. Those parallel tracks will eat a tire, causing riders to go down on the S.L.U.T.

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#190065

Posted by unregistered user at 10/1/08 8:49 a.m.

You know, I have noticed something three times with the streetcar - twice at the intersection of Westlake & 6th, and once in front of Whole Foods at Westlake & 9th. The streetcar will be stopped at a green traffic light (with no traffic or pedestrians impeding it, and no one boarding or exiting it), the light will change to red, and then the streetcar takes off. I cannot figure out why it would do that, and once, I accidentally stepped in its path because I was not expecting it to go against the red after it had been waiting at the green. What gives?

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#190066

Posted by rtj68 at 10/1/08 8:51 a.m.

Hey gyngve---

That was the funniest thing I've read in weeks....bravo.

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#190102

Posted by nmblned at 10/1/08 10:11 a.m.

Hey the S.L.U.T is back in the news, love a good love story.

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#190108

Posted by unregistered user at 10/1/08 10:24 a.m.

You need an editor for your column. "Trolley" was misspelled twice. Also, a trolley is a type of light rail vehicle that uses a trolley pole, such as the Waterfront Streetcar. The SLUT vehicles use pantographs, not trolley poles.

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#190149

Posted by unregistered user at 10/1/08 11:59 a.m.

Also, a trolley is a type of light rail vehicle that uses a trolley pole

So are you saying the old horse drawn trolleys had trolley poles?

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#201511

Posted by unregistered user at 10/21/08 7:37 p.m.

I know how much all the little boys like to use the word "slut" because it's so naughty and racy. But it's worth mentioning that the name is "Seattle Streetcar" (www.seattlestreetcar.org), not South Lake Union Streetcar and certainly not South Lake Union Trolley (it's not a trolley because of they way it's powered, as noted above). The slut acronym just doesn't fit (unless you're one of those boys who likes to call the post office "poop" because it's such a naughty word, too). So time to retire calling the streetcar a slut and find another way to use that dirty word, boys. (Hint: Look up the names of the characters in "Avenue Q" and you'll find one there. LOL.)

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#233410

Posted by unregistered user at 12/25/08 9:05 a.m.

How did your editors allow you to print such a misogynist word on this Web page? For shame.

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