SLU Trolley Testing to Begin

The South Lake Union Streetcar will begin an eight-week test period soon, according to the Seattle Transit Blog.

First they will do a walk through test to ensure that the streetcars are able to clear branches, traffic signals, and other erroneous things that may disrupt the streetcar along the whole route. Once that is done they will do speed tests on Valley between Mercer and Westlake to see that the streetcar can achieve and maintain speed. Oh and stopping will also be checked as well. I guess that is important too! After that initial testing, then operators will undergo testing as well. So, literally it will not be long before we see them on the street. I am very excited for this to happen. Again to not have to walk to downtown during the rainy season is going to be wonderful. One thing I have noticed however, the ST Tacoma Link, and Portland Streetcar have electronic signs that alert people at the intersection that the streetcar or LRV is coming. I didn't see these added to any of the intersections here in SLU. I wonder if they are going to omit these? Seems to be a bad idea if so. I did notice they have "Streetcar Zone" signs telling people not to park to close to the tracks. Should be a very interesting next couple of weeks.

Photographers, if you spot one of these in the wild please get it into the Seattlest Flickr Pool so we can get it up on the site.

UPDATE: Wow, that didn't take long. Thanks, orphanroad!