Return of the Mini-Vib

The Mini-Vib’s back, and this time it’s bringing along its seismic sidekick, the Micro-Vib.

Westside subway extension planners are sending the Mini-Vib truck back into service next week on a new stretch of Selby Avenue north of Santa Monica Boulevard in Westwood. The vibration-creating vehicle will roll over sensors in the street between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 15. (The work was scheduled on the President’s Day holiday to avoid disrupting classes at Emerson Middle School.) This round of testing comes after preliminary data suggested going a little further north on Selby with the Mini-Vib.

That work will be followed up with an appearance by the Micro-Vib on Wednesday and Thursday nights on Selby Avenue from Santa Monica Boulevard north. The hand-held “vibration box” is designed to produce gentler vibrations than the truck. With noise levels of around 60 decibels—about as loud as normal conversation–it will be used between 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. both nights. More Micro-Vib tests may be scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 27 as well.

The Mini-Vib truck also will be paying a return visit to Century Park West next week. Testing will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. between 1930 Century Park West and Santa Monica Boulevard. The work is needed because of a malfunction during the earlier round of testing.

This letter to residents, posted by Metro’s blog The Source, has more on the testing process, and describes the impact on traffic, including lane closures on Santa Monica Boulevard the night of Tuesday, Feb. 16.

Ultimately, results of the field seismic tests will be used to help determine routes for tunnels connecting the Century City and Westwood/UCLA subway stations. The research centers on a branch of the Santa Monica fault in the area. Full information on the project, which is still in the planning stages, can be found here.