I don't understand the love for light-rail. A railroaded transportation system. I think bus-only lanes and elevated bus-only lanes in the bad traffic areas make much more sense. At least the buses can pursue and continue on their own individual routes on side-streets and major arterials after they by-pass the worst of the traffic. Light-rail works great for those who live within 5-6 blocks of a station, not so much for everyone else. That light rail system will be obsolete by the time they finish it. I left Seattle, because of the traffic and lack of sun.
I left Seattle because of the elevated level of faggotry and arrogant lack of leadership across virtually every facet of life (#gosonics).
Getting rid of the shit tier NBA is one of the few good things Seattle has done in the past 20 years.
I don't understand the love for light-rail. A railroaded transportation system. I think bus-only lanes and elevated bus-only lanes in the bad traffic areas make much more sense. At least the buses can pursue and continue on their own individual routes on side-streets and major arterials after they by-pass the worst of the traffic. Light-rail works great for those who live within 5-6 blocks of a station, not so much for everyone else. That light rail system will be obsolete by the time they finish it. I left Seattle, because of the traffic and lack of sun.
I left Seattle because of the elevated level of faggotry and arrogant lack of leadership across virtually every facet of life (#gosonics).
Getting rid of the shit tier NBA is one of the few good things Seattle has done in the past 20 years.
Because pro soccer is so much better?!?
It sucks ass, but at least more than three teams can win the championship.
Add rail transport to things ruined by the government.
Japan's Shinkansen, Birthplace of High Speed Rail
France's TGV, World's Fastest Train
Germany's High Speed ICE Network
Switzerland's Integrated Rail Network - One ticket for Rail, Trams, Buses Goes Everywhere
Zurich Tram and Bus Map - Metro Area 2.4 million
Tokyo Commuter Rail and Metro Map - Metro Area 35 million
London Metro Map
New Gotthard Tunnel Under the Alps
Spain's High Speed Rail Network
China's High Speed Rail Network
South Korea's High Speed Rail Network
Kuala Lumpur(!) High Speed Metro
Istanbul Tunnel Under the Bosphorus Connecting Europe and Asia
Portland's Rail Network (built since 1986)
And then there's Seattle and Tacoma
Tac Town Lame
When government investment is creating high-speed rail subway, commuter rail and light rail links that bridge continents, tunnel under Alps, move millions of people a day faster, more comfortably, more efficiently and with less pollution than the US dependence on air travel
and cars (hello, let's sit for a while) ... AND
The Spanish, the Turks, the Malaysians and even fucking communist Portland are kicking your ass at it-
Either regulation made it so the only attractive investment in rail is through the government, or the technology itself is obsolete and no private company will touch it.
Add rail transport to things ruined by the government.
Japan's Shinkansen, Birthplace of High Speed Rail
France's TGV, World's Fastest Train
Germany's High Speed ICE Network
Switzerland's Integrated Rail Network - One ticket for Rail, Trams, Buses Goes Everywhere
Zurich Tram and Bus Map - Metro Area 2.4 million
Tokyo Commuter Rail and Metro Map - Metro Area 35 million
London Metro Map
New Gotthard Tunnel Under the Alps
Spain's High Speed Rail Network
China's High Speed Rail Network
South Korea's High Speed Rail Network
Kuala Lumpur(!) High Speed Metro
Istanbul Tunnel Under the Bosphorus Connecting Europe and Asia
Portland's Rail Network (built since 1986)
And then there's Seattle and Tacoma
Tac Town Lame
When government investment is creating high-speed rail subway, commuter rail and light rail links that bridge continents, tunnel under Alps, move millions of people a day faster, more comfortably, more efficiently and with less pollution than the US dependence on air travel
and cars (hello, let's sit for a while) ... AND
The Spanish, the Turks, the Malaysians and even fucking communist Portland are kicking your ass at it-
It might be time to reconsider your position.
The DC Metro is another great example. To me, it's the best metro rail system in the US.
Either regulation made it so the only attractive investment in railair travel and auto travel is through the government, or theauto technology itself is obsolete and no private company will touch it absent massive subsidy.
Government built "freeways" - late 1950's tech Internal combustion engines - late 1890's tech Airports and runways - built and maintained largely by governments Roads and freeways - built and maintained largely by governments Oil and gasoline - prices managed by a foreign cartel and US government stockpile, plus massive military intervention in the Middle East
All transportation modes require government subsidy. Which ones move the most people more efficiently in the most comfort with the least disruption and consumption of energy?
Either regulation made it so the only attractive investment in railair travel and auto travel is through the government, or theauto technology itself is obsolete and no private company will touch it absent massive subsidy.
Government built "freeways" - late 1950's tech Internal combustion engines - late 1890's tech Airports and runways - built and maintained largely by governments Roads and freeways - built and maintained largely by governments Oil and gasoline - prices managed by a foreign cartel and US government stockpile, plus massive military intervention in the Middle East
All transportation modes require government subsidy. Which ones move the most people more efficiently in the most comfort with the least disruption and consumption of energy?
But isn't this apples and oranges? Is it really surprising that a nation with 235 people per square mile can move them more efficiently than a nation with 84 people per square mile?
I think rail works great with dense populations (and would presumably work great in Seattle if you didn't have to trust the Seattle government to execute it). I'm not sure it translates nationwide in the US though.
Seattle has the 11th most travelled rail system in the United States.
Statistically speaking, it doesn't move jack shit in terms of riders.
Time to let go of 1850's technology and accept the future. Think mobility.
It's not in the developers/property owners best interest to move people quickly and inexpensively. It's in their interest to have a somewhat captive workforce who are therefore forced to pay ridiculous prices for rent and purchase of the real estate. Simple supply and demand curves and if the limited supply can be reduced, it drives the prices up.
A high speed train to/from the suburbs would make urban real estate far less valuable.
Can you imagine if you could commute door to door from Cle Elum to downtown Seattle in 30 to 45 minutes?
Either regulation made it so the only attractive investment in railair travel and auto travel is through the government, or theauto technology itself is obsolete and no private company will touch it absent massive subsidy.
Government built "freeways" - late 1950's tech Internal combustion engines - late 1890's tech Airports and runways - built and maintained largely by governments Roads and freeways - built and maintained largely by governments Oil and gasoline - prices managed by a foreign cartel and US government stockpile, plus massive military intervention in the Middle East
All transportation modes require government subsidy. Which ones move the most people more efficiently in the most comfort with the least disruption and consumption of energy?
But isn't this apples and oranges? Is it really surprising that a nation with 235 people per square mile can move them more efficiently than a nation with 84 people per square mile?
I think rail works great with dense populations (and would presumably work great in Seattle if you didn't have to trust the Seattle government to execute it). I'm not sure it translates nationwide in the US though.
That's a reasonable poont.
But the US isn't even close and Germany isn't even the best model (Switzerland is).
I don't think that high speed rail is feasible coast-to-coast in the US, although the Chinese are building HSR lines that are longer than the 400-600 mile optimum range. Long distance Amtrak service should be abolished. That is 1920's dinosaur rail.
But people in the US are concentrated into urban regions. California, the P-NW I-5 corridor, the Midwest (centered on Chicago), the BOS-NYC-WAS corridor, Atlanta-JAX-Charlotte-Raleigh, HOU-DAL-AUS-SAN, DEN-COS-ALB, SLC valley, Florida.
High speed rail would work in those regions. And any metro area of decent size can increasingly support intra-city rail. Like the Doovil said above about PHX's line, rail drives development, so you can better shape your city, reduce sprawl, and create virtuous rather than vicious cycles (more walking, biking, public transit, etc.)
High speed rail fare from Cle Elum to Seattle, heavily subsidized, would cost far more then what the little people this "solution" is sold to, would be willing to pay.
Rail as a "solution" toward moving people, is a circle jerk for emotional thinkers.
Comments
France's TGV, World's Fastest Train
Germany's High Speed ICE Network
Switzerland's Integrated Rail Network - One ticket for Rail, Trams, Buses Goes Everywhere
Zurich Tram and Bus Map - Metro Area 2.4 million
Tokyo Commuter Rail and Metro Map - Metro Area 35 million
London Metro Map
New Gotthard Tunnel Under the Alps
Spain's High Speed Rail Network
China's High Speed Rail Network
South Korea's High Speed Rail Network
Kuala Lumpur(!) High Speed Metro
Istanbul Tunnel Under the Bosphorus Connecting Europe and Asia
Portland's Rail Network (built since 1986)
And then there's Seattle and Tacoma
Tac Town Lame
When government investment is creating high-speed rail subway, commuter rail and light rail links that bridge continents, tunnel under Alps, move millions of people a day faster, more comfortably, more efficiently and with less pollution than the US dependence on air travel
and cars (hello, let's sit for a while) ... AND
The Spanish, the Turks, the Malaysians and even fucking communist Portland are kicking your ass at it-
It might be time to reconsider your position.
It's now the 21st century. Time to move on from the 1850's
Internal combustion engines - late 1890's tech
Airports and runways - built and maintained largely by governments
Roads and freeways - built and maintained largely by governments
Oil and gasoline - prices managed by a foreign cartel and US government stockpile, plus massive military intervention in the Middle East
All transportation modes require government subsidy. Which ones move the most people more efficiently in the most comfort with the least disruption and consumption of energy?
If only someone had studied this question...
WRONG
I think rail works great with dense populations (and would presumably work great in Seattle if you didn't have to trust the Seattle government to execute it). I'm not sure it translates nationwide in the US though.
Statistically speaking, it doesn't move jack shit in terms of riders.
Time to let go of 1850's technology and accept the future. Think mobility.
A high speed train to/from the suburbs would make urban real estate far less valuable.
Can you imagine if you could commute door to door from Cle Elum to downtown Seattle in 30 to 45 minutes?
Always follow the money trail.
But the US isn't even close and Germany isn't even the best model (Switzerland is).
I don't think that high speed rail is feasible coast-to-coast in the US, although the Chinese are building HSR lines that are longer than the 400-600 mile optimum range. Long distance Amtrak service should be abolished. That is 1920's dinosaur rail.
But people in the US are concentrated into urban regions. California, the P-NW I-5 corridor, the Midwest (centered on Chicago), the BOS-NYC-WAS corridor, Atlanta-JAX-Charlotte-Raleigh, HOU-DAL-AUS-SAN, DEN-COS-ALB, SLC valley, Florida.
High speed rail would work in those regions. And any metro area of decent size can increasingly support intra-city rail. Like the Doovil said above about PHX's line, rail drives development, so you can better shape your city, reduce sprawl, and create virtuous rather than vicious cycles (more walking, biking, public transit, etc.)
Rail as a "solution" toward moving people, is a circle jerk for emotional thinkers.
It's painful to see baseless stupidity in the internet age.
Interstate Commerce Commission
Railroad Land Giveaway
19th Century Rail Subsidies
Thanks for the links!