Saturday, October 09, 2004
Boston Sprawls Like Atlanta
New Rental Car Tours
Boston: Sprawling Like Atlanta
http://www.rentalcartours.net/rac-boston.pdf
Orlando: Walkable Edge City
http://www.rentalcartours.net/rac-orlando.pdf
Valencia: Atlanta in Spain
http://www.rentalcartours.net/rac-valencia.pdf
Boston: Sprawling Like Atlanta
http://www.rentalcartours.net/rac-boston.pdf
Orlando: Walkable Edge City
http://www.rentalcartours.net/rac-orlando.pdf
Valencia: Atlanta in Spain
http://www.rentalcartours.net/rac-valencia.pdf
Thursday, October 07, 2004
Rail costs doubled, ridership half of projections
The cost of constructing light rail doubled from the original projections, and ridership is only half of the original projections. Sounds like a familiar American story, but this is in Manchester, England. Manchester was proud of its light rail, but the government can't afford to build any more, especially when so few are riding it. So much for Europeans loving rail transit.
To force an increase in ridership, they want to reroute buses so that they feed rail rather than take riders directly to their destinations. But the buses are deregulated and privately operated, and the operators would demand subsidies if their routes were controlled by the government. Apparently, those silly transit riders would rather stay on a fast bus than connect to (and stand in the rain waiting for) a clunky trolley car.
The above link requires a subscription to the Economist, or you can find the story in the October 2 print edition of that magazine that insists on calling itself a newspaper.
To force an increase in ridership, they want to reroute buses so that they feed rail rather than take riders directly to their destinations. But the buses are deregulated and privately operated, and the operators would demand subsidies if their routes were controlled by the government. Apparently, those silly transit riders would rather stay on a fast bus than connect to (and stand in the rain waiting for) a clunky trolley car.
The above link requires a subscription to the Economist, or you can find the story in the October 2 print edition of that magazine that insists on calling itself a newspaper.
Urban Planners Create Pedestrian-Deadly Streets
Urban planners in Columbus, Ohio, have joined those in Austin, San Jose, and many other cities in wanting to convert one-way streets to two-way. According to this amazingly well-written and persuasive op ed, such conversions will increase congestion, air pollution, and traffic accidents, including accidents involving pedestrians. Yet planners say they want to do this to create "pedestrian-friendly environments."
This thoroughly researched op ed notes that conversion of one-way streets in Denver to two-way led to a 37-percent increase in accidents. Conversion in Indianapolis led to a 33-percent increase in accidents. Yet, as the op ed brilliantly points out, planners are still intent on creating auto-hostile and pedestrian-deadly environments in many cities.
The above link requires a subscription to the Columbus Dispatch, but if you would like to see the op ed (which I wrote with the help of Michael Cunneen), you can download it from the American Dream Coalition web site.
This thoroughly researched op ed notes that conversion of one-way streets in Denver to two-way led to a 37-percent increase in accidents. Conversion in Indianapolis led to a 33-percent increase in accidents. Yet, as the op ed brilliantly points out, planners are still intent on creating auto-hostile and pedestrian-deadly environments in many cities.
The above link requires a subscription to the Columbus Dispatch, but if you would like to see the op ed (which I wrote with the help of Michael Cunneen), you can download it from the American Dream Coalition web site.
Wednesday, October 06, 2004
Unsustainable Chicago Transit Authority
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/opinion/oped/chi-0410060113oct06,1,1539446.story?coll=chi-newsopinioncommentary-hed
Sunday, October 03, 2004
TriMet alters rule on unruly
Many trouble makers have the right to ride Portlands Tri-Met
So how safe is it to ride? It may depend on where you ride and what stations you are at. Portland's east side line has a growing problem.
So how safe is it to ride? It may depend on where you ride and what stations you are at. Portland's east side line has a growing problem.
Neighbors roll out the red carpet for PDC
After PDC sent eviction notices to the renters!
The Portland Development Commission (PDC) spent $12 million on renovations and $1.7 million for a seismic refit.The PDC was losing about $120,000 a month. This project is one of many examples of how Portland diverts property tax revenues from schools, police, fire and social services to the PDC. The PDC uses the money to add density and support what they call smart growth project. As we all know it is easier to gamble and fail with taxpayers money.
The Portland Development Commission (PDC) spent $12 million on renovations and $1.7 million for a seismic refit.The PDC was losing about $120,000 a month. This project is one of many examples of how Portland diverts property tax revenues from schools, police, fire and social services to the PDC. The PDC uses the money to add density and support what they call smart growth project. As we all know it is easier to gamble and fail with taxpayers money.
