Saturday, August 14, 2004
Project might (but probably won't) ease traffic woes between Salem and Keizer
How to spend gas taxes that are dedicated to roads without actually doing anything to reduce congestion: Blow most of them on transit-related road improvements such as exclusive bus left- and right-turn lanes. This project calls for spending $6.5 million near Salem, Oregon, $4 million of which will go for such transit-only improvements. Despite the hopes of some, this won't attract many people out of their cars or do much to relieve congestion.
Salem is a growing city (it recently overtook Eugene as Oregon's second largest in population), but few ride transit (21 annual trips per capita vs. 38 in Eugene and 65 in Portland). Oregon needs to spend its transportation dollars on proven solutions, not on "improving mass transit flow" in areas where few people ride transit.
Salem is a growing city (it recently overtook Eugene as Oregon's second largest in population), but few ride transit (21 annual trips per capita vs. 38 in Eugene and 65 in Portland). Oregon needs to spend its transportation dollars on proven solutions, not on "improving mass transit flow" in areas where few people ride transit.
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Smart growth faces opposition in Maryland
The Washington Post has several stories on smart-growth projects in Maryland. They can be summed up with a statement by a local planner: "Smart growth is something people want. They just don't want it in their own neighborhood." Yes, and we all want light-rail lines if everyone else will ride them so we can drive on uncongested roads.
Pawlenty, GOP at odds over Northstar rail
Political fallout from Governor Pawlenty's decision to make an end-run around the legislature and fund the Northstar Commuter Rail project
St. Louis' Metro Fires Parsons-Brinckerhoff
Construction management group fired
St. Louis' Metro is building an expensive light-rail line and had placed four companies -- including Parsons-Brinckerhoff -- in charge of designing and managing the construction. But delays and "unexpected additional costs" led Metro to terminate the agreement. Metro, which "is already burdened with money problems," now has to manage the project itself.
St. Louis' Metro is building an expensive light-rail line and had placed four companies -- including Parsons-Brinckerhoff -- in charge of designing and managing the construction. But delays and "unexpected additional costs" led Metro to terminate the agreement. Metro, which "is already burdened with money problems," now has to manage the project itself.
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
THE COSTS OF SPRAWL: MEASURED IN BENEFITS?
THE COSTS OF SPRAWL: MEASURED IN BENEFITS?
http://www.demographia.com/pp83-sprbene.pdf
Anti-growth critics contend that more sprawling suburban development imposes significantly higher government costs. These studies are principally based upon consultant developed forecasts of future expenditures, or micro-level cost analyses that are virtually never reconciled to actual overall spending levels.
However, our recent national analysis of the actual US Census Bureau spending data for more than 700 municipalities found that newer, more suburban municipalities have generally lower government expenditures per capita, despite more than 50 years of unprecedented suburbanization
The Victoria Public Transport Institute (VTPI) in Canada published criticisms of our report, none of which have merit.
This article is a summary of the issues raised by VTPI.
http://www.demographia.com/pp83-sprbene.pdf
Anti-growth critics contend that more sprawling suburban development imposes significantly higher government costs. These studies are principally based upon consultant developed forecasts of future expenditures, or micro-level cost analyses that are virtually never reconciled to actual overall spending levels.
However, our recent national analysis of the actual US Census Bureau spending data for more than 700 municipalities found that newer, more suburban municipalities have generally lower government expenditures per capita, despite more than 50 years of unprecedented suburbanization
The Victoria Public Transport Institute (VTPI) in Canada published criticisms of our report, none of which have merit.
This article is a summary of the issues raised by VTPI.
