Category Archives: Transportation Headlines

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Transportation headlines, Friday, October 28

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Republicans look to give federal transportation funds to states (The Hill)

The Hill’s federal legislation blog reports that Republicans in the House of Representatives have introduced a bill that would transfer control of federal gas tax revenues to the states over a four-year period. By 2017, states would control 80 percent of federal gas taxes, leaving it to them to decide how to spend those funds. This would be a break from the last half century, during which the federal government has established and funded national transportation priorities like the interstate highway system. I’m intrigued, but skeptical: On one hand a state like California might use the funds to invest more heavily in transit projects than the feds would have allowed; On the other, I worry about states investing only in road projects at the expense of more sustainable transportation projects.

Surviving public transportation as a senior (KALW)

Local public radio station KALW interviewed seniors in San Francisco about the benefits and challenges of riding transit. Fortunately for Bay Area seniors, the organization Planning for Elders offers Senior Survival School to help those who are trying transit for the first time or want to know more about the services offered. As the Baby Boomer generation ages, transit is going to play a bigger roll in their lives and also necessitate changes the way transit systems serves their needs. According to advocacy group Transportation for America, “by 2015 more than 15.5 million Americans 65 and older will live in communities where public transportation service is poor or non-existent.”

Ten questions to ask for a transit line to LAX (City Watch)

Ken Alpern, chair of the nonprofit Transit Coalition attended a Metro presentation on connecting Metro Rail to LAX and has these ten questions that he’d like to have answered about the project — mainly of the political and logistical variety. Here’s a good one: “8) The LAX People Mover Project is approximately 6 months (perhaps longer) behind the timeline of the current Metro Green Line to LAX Project.  Should both projects be completed together, or is it to Metro’s advantage to finish their project first?”

Transportation headlines, Thursday, October 27

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

A chosen rail line? (Jewish Journal)

Local transit writer and advocate Joel Epstein penned this piece that compares the trials and tribulations of building transit in Jerusalem and Los Angeles. The cities are dramatically different geographically: one is a compact, ancient city with mostly narrow pedestrian-scaled streets; the other is an expansive, 20th Century mega-region. But that’s what makes the similarities so striking.

Blogs and social media change the conversation on transit (Greater Greater Washington)

D.C. transportation blogger Matt Johnson shares his thoughts on how social media and blogs have become an indispensable tool in transit debates. The discussion came out of a panel talk at this month’s Rail~Volution conference. Johnson argues that blogs are not as much about “bringing people over to our opinion, but as a way to give people the tools they need to be a productive participant in the conversation.” I like to think that The Source also fills that niche. Check out the story to see how other transit agencies are using blogs, Facebook and Twitter to engage transit riders.

Transit agencies urged to coordinate service (SF Chronicle)

The Bay Area’s regional transportation planning agency, MTC, is developing a plan that would require the region’s twelve operators to work together more closely. In particular, the plan would have agencies share staff and better coordinate routes to improve the cost efficiency of the whole system. Officials have stopped short, however, of trying to create one super-agency — to the relief and dismay of competing parties. What’s prompting this major shake-up? For one, Bay Area transit systems have been pumping more and more money into operations, but are seeing diminishing ridership gains.

Transportation headlines, Wednesday, Oct. 26

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Are we reaching peak car consumption? (Globe and Mail, Canada)

Turns out we’re actually driving less, which is good news for the environment and, hopefully, for mass transit. Anyway, this story discusses not just that we are driving less but why. An excerpt: “Finding themselves caught in an uncomfortable tangle of urban sprawl, population growth and plain individual inconvenience, people, one by one, are just quietly opting out.” (Go Metro, please.)

Housing recovery favors cities and walkable neighborhoods (Natural Resources Defense Council Switchboard blog)

In the Washington D.C. area, at least, housing recovery is looking like it’s significantly influenced by convenience, according to research by the George Mason University Center for Regional Analysis. Strongest recoveries are in Washington’s central city and neighboring Arlington,VA, the region’s most urban jurisdictions, both filled with walkable neighborhoods.

L.A. County okays second phase of Newhall Ranch (Los Angeles Times)

The Board of Supervisors has approved the Newhall Ranch Mission Village segment, which will have 4,000 housing units, 580 acres of open space and three preserves. Environmentalists say the Santa Clarita Valley project will worsen traffic and pollution. Supporters say, “not true” and mention the magic word: jobs. Related: Source post on approval of first phase of the project.

More demand will equal higher prices at the pump (New America Foundation)

Projections by the U.S. Energy Information Administration suggest that the growing demand for energy worldwide will continue to push oil prices up in a slow but steady movement. And as consumer incomes — particularly those from middle and lower levels — continue to be absorbed by high fuel costs, gasoline will continue to be a drag on the economy.

Transportation headlines, Tuesday, Oct. 25

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Chicago commuters to see new rail cars on the El (Chicago Tribune)

Delivery of the new cars just began — the Chicago Transit Authority purchased 706 of them from Bombardier for $1.137 billion. All of the seats in the new cars face the aisle. Officials say the number of seats is the same but the new arrangement allows for more people to stand in the car, meaning the trains can carry more overall people. But some people who rode test trains complained that those who get a seat must face the rear ends of the standees. Hmm.

How long does it take to paint a sharrow? (L.A. Eco-Village blog)

A critical look at the city of Los Angeles’ implementation of the city’s new bike plan. Writer Joe Linton says the city dragged its heels painting “sharrows” on the road for years until the city passed a bike plan earlier this year. Then suddenly the city began quickly painting sharrows instead of installing regular bike lanes in a push to reach the promised 40 years of new bike infrastructure a year.

Is using Siri to text while driving legal? (Stateline)

The blog for the Pew Charitable Trusts says that some states wrote their “no texting while driving” laws to allow for voice activated technology, such as that used by the new iPhone. Still seems like a distraction to me – especially since I hear that some button pushing is still involved and the motorist is presumably thinking about her/his clever text instead of, say, staying in their lane.

Bill seeks to make it illegal for American airlines to participate in European cap-and-trade system (New York Times)

Excessive emissions from planes will be penalized beginning Jan. 1. But airlines based in the U.S. are fighting the regulations, with support from the Obama Administration. This bill by Rep. John Mica (R-Florida), which passed by voice vote on Monday, would make it illegal to get involved in cap-and-trade, which is interesting since many experts would like such a system in the U.S. to provide a financial incentive to lower carbon dioxide emissions that cause global warming. On an unrelated note, the article also mentions a bill by Rep. Michelle Bachmann (R-Minn.) that would give Americans the freedom to not have to buy energy efficient light bulbs.

Transportation headlines, Monday, Oct. 24

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Fault findings break new ground (ZevWeb)

USC Earth Sciences Professor James Dolan talks about the seismic work done in the Century City area to determine the best location for a subway station. As a result of that work — Dolan was part of the team of researchers involved — it was discovered that the West Beverly Hills Lineament, a previously known fault, is actually a northern extension of the well-known Newport-Inglewood Fault. As Dolan puts it, such discoveries may spark concern, but it’s better to know as much as possible about the area’s underlying earthquakes — the alternative is, of course, not knowing. The website for Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky — who is also a Metro Board Member — also had a very detailed story on last week’s seismic reports. Give it a read.

Van Nuys congestion spurs new transit dreams (Daily News)

A brief look at the Van Nuys Rapidway Project studies that are now underway; public meetings begin tonight in Panorama City. Metro officials say everything is on the table for now in terms of adding transit to Van Nuys Boulevard between Ventura Boulevard and the 210 freeway. But one prominent transit activist says the agency is being shortsighted and should be studying a rail line between Sylmar and the Expo Line. The big issue with the Van Nuys Boulevard project is funds — Measure R sets aside $68.5 million, which is not enough on its own for a rail line. I know there’s a lot of interest in this project, so please keep in mind that Metro is studying Van Nuys Boulevard as one project; a separate Measure R project would link the Westside to the San Fernando Valley via the Sepulveda Pass. The planning for that one is just getting underway.

California bullet train: the high price of speed (Los Angeles Times)

Another bullet aimed at the bullet train project. The story looks at mounting opposition to the high-speed rail project that would require the destruction and/or relocation of many homes and businesses in the San Joaquin Valley — in particular in the Bakersfield area . The train would even pass on a viaduct through the campus of Bakersfield High School, which doesn’t please the locals. High-speed rail officials say the project will enhance the overall quality-of-life in the state; the above video of the train passing through Bakersfield is from the Authority. Excerpt:

Across the length of the Central Valley, the bullet train as drawn would destroy churches, schools, private homes, shelters for low-income people, animal processing plants, warehouses, banks, medical offices, auto parts stores, factories, farm fields, mobile home parks, apartment buildings and much else as it cuts through the richest agricultural belt in the nation and through some of the most depressed cities in California.

Although the potential for such disruption was understood in general terms when the project began 15 years ago, the reality is only now beginning to sink in.

The potential economic, cultural and political damage may be an omen. The Central Valley, where construction could start next year, is expected to be the politically easiest and lowest-cost segment of the system, designed to move millions of passengers between Southern California and the Bay Area. The project’s effects could be even greater in more populous places like Silicon Valley, Orange County, Burbank, San Francisco and downtown Los Angeles.

 

Transportation headlines, Friday, October 21

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Quantum levitation: Probably not the secret to hover-trains, but still amazing (Grist)

The headline says it all.

Railroads sued over diesel soot at California rail yards (L.A. Times)

As this Scientific American article from last week noted, diesel pollution takes a profound toll on the health of those living near shipyards, rail yards and freeways in Southern California. A coalition of environmental groups has filed a complaint in federal court demanding that Union Pacific and BNSF railroads make upgrades to their aging, polluting locomotive fleets. One of the coalition’s main legal tactics will be to argue that diesel exhaust is a hazardous waste that should be regulated by the Federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act.

City considers making homeowners responsible for sidewalk repairs and legally liable for mishaps (L.A. Daily News)

The humble sidewalk: The workhorse of the transportation system has seen better days in Los Angeles. The city took over maintenance in the 1970s  — it had been the responsibility of private property owners — after receiving a grant from the federal government. But those funds have long since run out. Now the city is trying to shift maintenance responsibility back to property owners, because it simply doesn’t have the money to address the huge repair backlog. The Daily News reports that the City Council is considering a number of different policies, including: “creating sidewalk assessment districts, in which homeowners vote to pay the city to maintain the concrete; a bond issuance; or requiring sidewalks to be certified as safe when they are sold, utilities are connected or a building permit is issued.”

Hard work of de-grunging Westwood Village has begun (Cubed L.A.)

As we noted last week, the process of returning Westwood Village to its former glory — or something approaching it — is getting under way. Curbed reports that the recently formed business improvement district has begun power washing-sidewalks and circulating public safety ambassadors on Segways. True enough, walking down Westwood Boulevard yesterday, I noticed that the red sidewalk tiles did seem to pop a little more brightly. So hop on one of the eleventy-five buses that go the village and check it out.

Transportation headlines, Thursday, October 20

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

City seeks federal money to extend L.A. River bike path (KCET)

There’s presently a seven mile gap in the L.A. River bike path as the river travels through downtown Los Angeles. Good news: the L.A. Department of Transportation is seeking a $5 million grant from the feds to bridge that gap with on-street bikeways, as well as build five miles of river path in the San Fernando Valley and 20 miles of lanes to connect neighborhoods to the path. In total the project is expected to cost $18 million. DOT will ask the L.A. City Council to match a federal grant with some of the city’s Measure R local return dollars that are dedicated to bike and pedestrian programs.

L.A. area home to dozens of deficient bridges, report finds (L.A. Times)

Advocates are ramping up their calls for greater investment in the nation’s transportation infrastructure, trying to get the ear of a Congress that has kicked the transpo can down the road for the last two years. What better way to do that than by pointing out urgent structural concerns facing bridges all across the country? Here’s the key quote with respect to L.A. County: “Using a 2010 federal database, the group’s analysis also found that of the nation’s 69,223 bridges classified as structurally deficient…Los Angeles County is home to 91 of the 99 busiest.”

Five ways market research paints bright future for public transit (DC Streetsblog)

Writer Carolyn Szczepanski highlights five cultural, political or demographic forces that suggest transit will continue grow in importance in the American transportation ecosystem. There are two that I find most interesting: One, America’s population continues to grow quite rapidly — somewhat unique among developed countries — and is expected to hit 400 million people by 2050. Two, Generation Y — those born between 1982 and 1994 — tend to be much more interested in living in walkable urban communities and less so about owning a big house in a car-oriented suburb.

Transportation headlines, Wednesday, Oct. 19

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

 

Ridership on the upswing but Amtrak still can’t cut its losses. So what’s the problem? (Wall Street Journal)

Amtrak announced last week that it carried a record 30 million passengers last year. A banner year on its 40th anniversary of government ownership, right? Maybe not. It lost a near-record amount of money in fiscal 2011, with some $560 million from the feds required to cover its operating deficit. Why?

The next mass transit? (Wired Autopia)

Although it’s a promotional ad, this cool video of Virgin Galactic shows what it looks like as it continues to take steps toward launching customers into sub-orbital space. Flights may begin as early as next year.

Are American commutes more difficult than commutes in other parts of the world? (The Atlantic/Cities)

A new international survey on well-being finds that commute times in the U.S. are quite low compared with those around the world … half as long as travel time in worst-ranked South Africa and shorter than the work rides in all but three developed countries. But why does it make us feel so bad? The story offers a few ideas.

Transportation headlines, Tuesday, Oct. 18

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

Before starting, I bleated in this space yesterday about the crummy traffic light synchronization in Pasadena. Is it just me? Or is it obvious to everyone else that it’s stop-stop-stop no matter what your mode of transpo is?

A very visualization of the Helsinki transit network posted by Lauri Vanhala on YouTube. Animators in the Los Angeles area please take note.

Thoughts while riding Expo Line bikeway (L.A. Streetsblog)

Damien Newton gives a very mixed review to the new bike lane mostly along the light rail lane between USC and La Cienega Boulevard. They’re better, he writes, than the ones on Venice Boulevard but not by much. The problem is that part of the lanes are in the gutter, making for a rough ride — and that’s not mentioning obstacles such as garbage cans that cyclists may have to avoid. Excerpt:

One of the promises of the Expo project was a safe way for cyclists to get from Santa Monica all the way to Downtown Los Angeles.  Having just pedaled the route down Venice Boulevartd a couple of days earlier my personal view is that the Expo route is going to be a far superior one to the rough ride on Venice with plenty of traffic “Jerry Browning” you everytime you try the route to Downtown.  But the lanes aren’t good enough that everyone is going to make that choice.  Given the promises made to cyclists, that’s a shame.

Investors may not invest in high-speed rail until it’s running (L.A. Times)

Good story about a preview of the California High-Speed Rail Authority’s business plan, due to be released by Nov. 1. The gist of it: the preview — in the form of a letter to key elected officials — says that private money may not flow to the project until after it’s built and running. That raises the question of where the $43 billion will come from to build the line from Anaheim to San Francisco, given that the state is at least $30 billion short of funds. Federal money is likely to dry up, given Republican opposition to the bullet train project and the other two sources of money — the state of California and private funds — are now in doubt. There’s the possibility that a new type of federal tax credit could be used — if adopted by Congress — but that has issues, too. Any bright ideas, anyone?

 

The Obama Administration’s State Department will soon make a decision on whether to allow the Keystone XL pipeline built linking the Canadian tar sands oil fields to the Gulf Coast. This video was produced by Robert Redford and posted on the New York Times’ digital opinion page. Here’s a good story from the Washington Post about the many parties lobbying for and against the pipeline. A decision to allow it to be built would — thereby generating jobs — would almost certainly alienate many of the conservation groups that backed Obama in 2008.

Transportation headlines, Monday, Oct. 17

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Here is a look at some of the transportation headlines gathered by us and the Metro Library. The full list of headlines is posted on the library’s blog.

A short rant before I begin. Took a drive west down Del Mar in Pasadena the other evening — same street used by Metro’s 267 bus, btw. Missed every light. As is just about always the case on this major east-west thoroughfare. I’ve heard various explanations from various officials over the years about Pasadena’s ability to synchronize its lights. Well, it’s not showing. And I’m not convinced it’s good for motorists, bus riders, cyclists and pedestrians who are put at risk by frustrated motorists trying to beat yellow lights. Sigh.

$9 billion looking for a job in California (Los Angeles Times)

Columnist George Skelton got a nice little tip — that the state has sold about $9 billion worth of bonds for a variety of improvements. But the money is still sitting around in California and going unused. Why? No one could give Skelton a definitive answer. Of that money, about $2 billion is earmarked for Caltrans.

Blackberries die, traffic accidents fall (The National)

That’s right. When Blackberry service around the globe withered last week, police in Abu Dhabi in turn saw a 40 percent decline in traffic accidents. In particular, accidents involving young men declined. Police in Abu Dhabi, by the way, say they are going to soon use electronic evidence against motorists they think were playing with their phones instead of driving. In other words, if you just just sent a “what are you wearing” text and then pilot your car into a telephone pole, police will check your phone bill. As they should.

One day, maybe artisinal train cars (New York Times)

The New York MTA’s need for buses and train cars is massive — “the current  $23 billion capital program involves the acquisition of more than $7 billion worth of train cars, buses and signaling and communications equipment,” according to the article. Now there’s talk, prompted by a recent conference, about how to get some of those train cars built in New York City. One potential place: the Brooklyn Navy Yards, which is undergoing a massive refurbishment.

Infrastructure — don’t forget what we have is decaying! (Washington Post)

Big-time panel discussion — oh, how I love those — in the nation’s capital featured many prominent speakers, many of which seem to agree that a lot of the infrastructure that we do have either needs or will need some serious maintenance upgrades.