Art of Transit: 

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That’s work on the Crenshaw/LAX Line, which will run between the Expo Line and the Green Line. It’s funded by Measure R and scheduled to open in 2019.

Response to Metro’s proposed performance metrics (Investing in Place)

Jessica Meaney takes a look at the metrics that would be used to evaluate major projects to be funded at the potential sales tax increase ballot measure that Metro is considering for the Nov. 2016 ballot. Jessica offers metrics that she says should be applied to the entire ballot measure:

• 100% of Metro stations, bus stops, and schools are served by ADA-accessible sidewalks connecting to nearby origins and destinations.
• 90% of Los Angeles County residents live within ½-mile of high-quality bikeways, including 100% of identified Disadvantaged Communities.
• 80% of Los Angeles County residents are served by high-frequency transit (minimum 15-minute off-peak), including 100% of identified Disadvantaged Communities.
• 100% of local jurisdictions have Active Transportation Plans, as defined by the California Active Transportation Program.
• 100% of public schools are served by Safe Routes to School education programs.

These metrics, she writes, will serve the many trips that people take in L.A. County that don’t involve work — but rather are less than three miles and involve shopping, school and other errands.

I think it’s fair to say that the goals above are ambitious given the size of L.A. County and the Metro system. I do know that Metro is over time trying to create a frequent bus network by shifting bus service from low ridership lines to busier ones. A lot of the goals above would involve working with cities to improve/install sidewalks and bike infrastructure.

We’ll see. The Metro Board will consider the staff recommended performance metrics at their meeting on Dec. 3.

Budgets grow, tempers shrink as Beverly Hills Metro fight continues (Jewish Journal) 

An update on the state and federal lawsuits brought by the city of Beverly Hills and the BHUSD against Metro and its Purple Line Extension, which would tunnel under a part of the Beverly Hills High campus to reach a station in Century City. A state appeals court ruled in Metro’s favor last month in the state lawsuit. The BHUSD has spent $10.3 million from a school construction bond on the lawsuits, which has become controversial in the city.

Check out Hamburg’s two climate-friendly new neighborhoods (Grist)

A building in Wilhemsburg. Photo: IBE.

A look at two parts of town that have been redeveloped in recent years — and have aimed to be carbon neutral through solar, wind and green building practices. Most interesting to me was the story of Wilhemburg, where the International Building Exhibit took place between 2006 and 2013 and left many new structures, such as the one above. Perhaps relevant here as redevelopment will likely continue in many parts of L.A. County and So Cal.

Your kids will live longer than you thought (NYT)

Average life expectancy in the U.S. was 78 according to the CDC. But children born that year are expected live at least six years longer on average and girls will average 90. As the Upshot blog observes, that could certainly impact things like Social Security. As the Source observes, that could also mean younglings born this decade stand a better chance of seeing long-range infrastructure plans implemented while having the chance to use them for a few decades, too. Booya!

Reddit on Reason Foundation’s traffic plan (Reddit Los Angeles)

Mostly negative reaction to Reason’s $714-billion plan that relies heavily on tolling new managed lanes, six new freeway tunnels and managed arterials. I wrote about it yesterday — with mixed things to say. Warning: adult language in the comment thread. Interesting to see how many folks would rather see those kind of dollars spent on building new transit.

Here’s one reaction from Twitter that caught my eye:

2/2 Reason Foundation claims light rail is too costly, but it wants the average car-owning household in SoCal to pay $3000 a year in tolls

— Benjamin Ross (@BenRossTransit) November 18, 2015

Actually under Reason’s plan, no one has to pay any tolls — free general use lanes will still be there but there will also be tolled lanes that Reason says will be in free flow conditions (remember, under Reason’s plan carpoolers will pay to use the lanes and free HOV lanes will be gone). Whether the managed lanes truly do remain free flow remains to be seen and it’s hard to predict what the freebie general lanes would be like.

Recent HWRs:

Nov. 19: the Reason Foundation’s $714-billion plan to fix traffic in Southern California.

Nov. 18: A new mobile fare app in S.F., scramble crosswalks and aerial tram (using airplane bodies) proposed between Vegas and L.A.

Nov. 17: can transit beat traffic, electric cars and total global emissions, fossil fuel programs vs. climate goals

Nov. 16: L.A. transit vs S.F. transit, a cartoon car neatly explains sprawl, traffic and parking woes and determining the environmental impact of Uber and Lyft.

Nov. 13: Readers recommend books to read while in transit, bike sharing debuts in SaMo, induced demand and Caltrans.