Tysons' dependence on the automobile, and a place to park it, is dramatic when compared with other areas. With about 120,000 jobs, Tysons features nearly half again as many parking spots in structures, underground and in surface lots. That's more parking, 40 million square feet, than office space, 28 million square feet. Tysons boasts more spaces, 167,000, than downtown Washington, 50,000, which has more than twice as many jobs.More spaces than jobs? Who pays for all of those? And doesn't that number tell you something about the benefit of good transit? Yup.
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Tyson's Corner, Cars
An interesting article on Tyson's Corner from the Washington Post which is in the middle of a fight for a Metro extension. I don't know much about the area, but this article makes Mary Peters and Jim Simpson look ridiculous for trying to kill Metro. It doesn't say anything about it in the article, but this quote tells me a lot.
Media as a Minority Opposition Enabler?
Richard discusses the opposition fighters in the debate over rail transit. What's interesting is how the media in these cities plays into the fight. In Charlotte they played up the opposition so much during the transit tax referendum that there was a thought that it could possibly win, even I was a little worried about it. But when the vote came out, it was 70-30. A classic drubbing.
What happened to drum up the opposition to have such clout? I'm not sure but the media seemed to be deep in it, and of course would bring readers to the Observer site as well as the John Locke Foundation blog which was the major source for the opposition.
Now in Honolulu we're seeing a massive media blitz, seizing on the conflict to setup and epic battle. Even the opposition leader is running for mayor, just like in Charlotte. Obviously he's not going to win on one issue alone, but it seems rather like a ploy to shine more attention on the division, even if there might not even be a real division by the vast majority on the island.
But the opposition has gotten nasty as well, not being able to win on the issues they are going to nasty depths.
I think though that the Mayor has done the right thing by fighting back. There is no reason he needs to take a beating like this, especially from folks funded on the mainland by highly ideological anti-rail groups.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. This is the reason though that there has to be a strong leader at the front of these things. If not, it will die under the onslaught of a well funded opposition. The one common theme in all cities that have started with rail or have been able to continue is a strong mayor or governor pushing it hard. If you want transit, a leader like the mayor is key.
What happened to drum up the opposition to have such clout? I'm not sure but the media seemed to be deep in it, and of course would bring readers to the Observer site as well as the John Locke Foundation blog which was the major source for the opposition.
Now in Honolulu we're seeing a massive media blitz, seizing on the conflict to setup and epic battle. Even the opposition leader is running for mayor, just like in Charlotte. Obviously he's not going to win on one issue alone, but it seems rather like a ploy to shine more attention on the division, even if there might not even be a real division by the vast majority on the island.
But the opposition has gotten nasty as well, not being able to win on the issues they are going to nasty depths.
It's gotten so bad in fact that the local paper has asked everyone to tone it down, something which they were enablers of and allowed to get out of hand even in their own paper. I have never seen an article on the facts or benefits, just who said what.In the most recent attack circulated via e-mail last weekend, a satirical illustration and text compared rail advocates to al-Qaida leader Osama bin Laden and the Nazis. Hannemann administration officials said the e-mail "crosses the line."
The e-mail, with the subject line "People in Hawaii Are Too Stupid -- DON'T Let Them Vote on Rail," features a photo of Osama bin Laden with the message, "People of Oahu, you should NOT be allowed to make any big decisions in the ballot box. Only Mufi and his friends should decide."
I think though that the Mayor has done the right thing by fighting back. There is no reason he needs to take a beating like this, especially from folks funded on the mainland by highly ideological anti-rail groups.
It will be interesting to see how this plays out. This is the reason though that there has to be a strong leader at the front of these things. If not, it will die under the onslaught of a well funded opposition. The one common theme in all cities that have started with rail or have been able to continue is a strong mayor or governor pushing it hard. If you want transit, a leader like the mayor is key.
Nissan Wants Transit Link
Sign of the times. Nissan which manufactures cars outside of Nashville Tennessee wants transit service.
H/T Permanent Campaigns
Had gasoline prices hit the $4 mark 10 years ago, the development probably wouldn't have happened, Emery said. But now that there is so much in Cool Springs, and plenty of land for more housing, the high gas prices shouldn't have any effect, he said. The company is pushing for more mass-transit service, he added.They say gas prices shouldn't have any effect, but its contradictory to ask for a transit link if that weren't the case.
H/T Permanent Campaigns
Oly Trials Update
Man today was an awesome day for Texas fans at the Track and Field Olympic Trials in Eugene. Former longhorn Andre Manson was 2nd in the High Jump making it to the Olympics with former teammate Trey Hardee and my buddy Jake Morse was ever so close getting 4th in the 3000 meter steeplechase. Good job men. Tomorrow is Leo Manzano in the 1500 (Closest race to the mile in outdoor track) and its going to be a good one.
Update: Jake Morse Video
Also congrats to friend and former Colorado Buffalo Jorge Torres who was 3rd in the 10k making it to Beijing. Back in the day he hooked a few friends and I up with a place in Boulder for a summer to train. Congrats Jorge on all the hard work and your ticket to the big game. This is one of the nicest guys in distance running.
Update: Jake Morse Video
Also congrats to friend and former Colorado Buffalo Jorge Torres who was 3rd in the 10k making it to Beijing. Back in the day he hooked a few friends and I up with a place in Boulder for a summer to train. Congrats Jorge on all the hard work and your ticket to the big game. This is one of the nicest guys in distance running.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
What's Not to Like?
Losing Weight, Saving Money and Taking Transit. The COTA Challenge.
I was walking more, to and from the grocery store for example, and walking to the bank, the hardware store, library or Blockbuster rather than taking the car and I shed twenty pounds within five months. When I found that most of my pants were too large, I walked to the new thrift store and bought a new ones.
...
Frankly, the high cost of gas has improved my life.
McCain and Amtrak Not BFF
We've covered this before, but John McCain is no friend of passenger rail. This Boston Globe article goes into detail.
In the section of McCain's website called "reforming our transportation sector," there is no mention of rail. There is only his clean-car challenge to automakers, his $300 million prize to design battery cars, and enforcing only existing gas mileage standards.
When The Washington Post reported on how President Bush's fiscal 2006 budget did not include a subsidy for Amtrak, would kill both $20 million for the next generation of high-speed rail, and $250 million for railroad rehabilitation, it quoted McCain as saying on television, "I'm glad the president is coming over with a very austere budget."
The luster of austerity is gone. Public transportation is becoming a real issue for the campaign trail. If so, McCain has all but handed Obama a golden spike to beat him over the head with.
Been Thinking About Transit Density Part 1
Richard has been pushing Belmont for a while now so tonight I broke down and bought the book.
Some thoughts before I read it though based on what I've read in Richard's posts and my own evolution in thinking.
I had a bit of a thought today that should have come together sooner but I was looking over Google Earth at a way to connect commuter rail/HSR directly to downtown San Jose instead of the current just outside of downtown location of Diridon station. It seems to me that what is needed in each city around the bay is a local metro that moves people quickly around the central city. Each of these metros can be connected by commuter rail lines like Caltrain along commuter corridors but the most beneficial systems will be those that serve future density, not just existing transit.
I started writing this post before going to Washington with the hope that on the plane I could make some maps. The good part is that the trip reaffirmed what I wanted to back up. That an in town metro is important to vibrancy and movement in a city. Serving the suburbs should be done, but the way we are going to make our transit systems work is with good circulation in the center to build up core density. If we could see where Washington DC was before Metro and where it is now, you would see a huge difference in the city. If the current naysayers were around then to kill projects, that project would have never been built, and the city would look very different.
But other cities should look to the future in the same way. The future benefits outweigh current costs and with more people preferring to live a city life, its got an increased benefit of soaking up growth that would usually cause gross distortions in where people live and work. This is the option of urbanism like Chris Leinberger says.
So we'll start at Oakland. Previously I made a fantasy map for an Oakland Metro that you see directly below.
This was based on getting people in and out of a city, and not really a core urban strategy. I realize that now, but when you compare it some of the Subway systems that work really well it doesn't really look quite right.
Vienna's Metro looks different. There are a number of lines that criss cross a number of ways. The same with the Washington Metro.
With that being said, here's a more core system. I've come up with these for San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose as the major regional centers but am thinking about doing other cities as well. The Space Race focuses so much on suburban serving transit that the core again is left out. But perhaps this is the way we should rethink it. We'll start with Oakland.
Now all of these maps will be at the same scale for the Bay Area. The circles are about 5 miles across and show a primary core that could densify in corridors and the core soaking up a lot of housing need and with less energy usage from density, walkable neighborhoods, and easier access to close districts.
Now I'm not sure that this necessarily needs to be a Metro Subway. It could be a dedicated lane streetcar or light rail. However a subway can go from end to end without having to stop at a light and stay on schedule with faster speeds. This facilitates use. But it might work in a smaller city with a smaller sphere than the five miles for core circulation. We should think about these implications and ask, what will get us the most riders and most future benefit instead of just thinking about cost and as I've mentioned before just bringing people into the center of the city.
Some thoughts before I read it though based on what I've read in Richard's posts and my own evolution in thinking.
I had a bit of a thought today that should have come together sooner but I was looking over Google Earth at a way to connect commuter rail/HSR directly to downtown San Jose instead of the current just outside of downtown location of Diridon station. It seems to me that what is needed in each city around the bay is a local metro that moves people quickly around the central city. Each of these metros can be connected by commuter rail lines like Caltrain along commuter corridors but the most beneficial systems will be those that serve future density, not just existing transit.
I started writing this post before going to Washington with the hope that on the plane I could make some maps. The good part is that the trip reaffirmed what I wanted to back up. That an in town metro is important to vibrancy and movement in a city. Serving the suburbs should be done, but the way we are going to make our transit systems work is with good circulation in the center to build up core density. If we could see where Washington DC was before Metro and where it is now, you would see a huge difference in the city. If the current naysayers were around then to kill projects, that project would have never been built, and the city would look very different.
But other cities should look to the future in the same way. The future benefits outweigh current costs and with more people preferring to live a city life, its got an increased benefit of soaking up growth that would usually cause gross distortions in where people live and work. This is the option of urbanism like Chris Leinberger says.
So we'll start at Oakland. Previously I made a fantasy map for an Oakland Metro that you see directly below.
This was based on getting people in and out of a city, and not really a core urban strategy. I realize that now, but when you compare it some of the Subway systems that work really well it doesn't really look quite right.
Vienna's Metro looks different. There are a number of lines that criss cross a number of ways. The same with the Washington Metro.
With that being said, here's a more core system. I've come up with these for San Francisco, Oakland and San Jose as the major regional centers but am thinking about doing other cities as well. The Space Race focuses so much on suburban serving transit that the core again is left out. But perhaps this is the way we should rethink it. We'll start with Oakland.Now all of these maps will be at the same scale for the Bay Area. The circles are about 5 miles across and show a primary core that could densify in corridors and the core soaking up a lot of housing need and with less energy usage from density, walkable neighborhoods, and easier access to close districts.
Now I'm not sure that this necessarily needs to be a Metro Subway. It could be a dedicated lane streetcar or light rail. However a subway can go from end to end without having to stop at a light and stay on schedule with faster speeds. This facilitates use. But it might work in a smaller city with a smaller sphere than the five miles for core circulation. We should think about these implications and ask, what will get us the most riders and most future benefit instead of just thinking about cost and as I've mentioned before just bringing people into the center of the city.
DC Photo Dump
I just couldn't wait to share my favorite pictures from the trip. I even got a movie of the Metro.
1. Pop Quiz: Fancy Restaurant or Airplane food?
Airplane food! So my original flight to DC was full by one too many people and they were looking for folks who might not mind a bump. I wasn't in a hurry and they noticed I was by myself so the desk agent asked if I wouldn't mind taking the red eye. Before I said anything he said, "I'll put you in first class and give you a voucher for another trip" I said sure!
Lucky I did too because my friend Teresa who I was staying with got stuck in Chicago that night and didn't make it home. So it was a win all around, especially when dinner came on the flight. I highly recommend Virgin America. Even without first class, there are power plugs in every seat and its already wired for internet when they work out the details. But that power plug is huge, especially since my battery is fairly drained from constant usage.
Anyway, who knew they used silverware anymore, and the ravioli was excellent.
2. Did Spain win Euro 2008? That's what the people at the Dupont Circle Fountain were celebrating:
3. The war memorials are very hard to visit. It's really sad and people sitting in front of the names of their loved ones at the Vietnam Memorial sobbing doesn't help matters either. It's a must see. I got a shot of the Washington Monument reflected in the Granite of the Vietnam Memorial.
4. I got in about 5:45 Am from the flight and just decided that I might as well walk the Mall. It was a very interesting morning. Got this shot of the clouds blocking the sun with a silhouette of the Washington Monument.
5. It was also touching to see the young ones getting into history. Here a dad and his two kids have a seat to read the Gettysburg Address at the Lincoln Memorial.
6. And a transit blogger's trip is not complete without photos of the Metro. I of course hopefully did one better by getting this short movie of a train arriving.
1. Pop Quiz: Fancy Restaurant or Airplane food?
Airplane food! So my original flight to DC was full by one too many people and they were looking for folks who might not mind a bump. I wasn't in a hurry and they noticed I was by myself so the desk agent asked if I wouldn't mind taking the red eye. Before I said anything he said, "I'll put you in first class and give you a voucher for another trip" I said sure!
Lucky I did too because my friend Teresa who I was staying with got stuck in Chicago that night and didn't make it home. So it was a win all around, especially when dinner came on the flight. I highly recommend Virgin America. Even without first class, there are power plugs in every seat and its already wired for internet when they work out the details. But that power plug is huge, especially since my battery is fairly drained from constant usage.
Anyway, who knew they used silverware anymore, and the ravioli was excellent.
2. Did Spain win Euro 2008? That's what the people at the Dupont Circle Fountain were celebrating:
3. The war memorials are very hard to visit. It's really sad and people sitting in front of the names of their loved ones at the Vietnam Memorial sobbing doesn't help matters either. It's a must see. I got a shot of the Washington Monument reflected in the Granite of the Vietnam Memorial.
4. I got in about 5:45 Am from the flight and just decided that I might as well walk the Mall. It was a very interesting morning. Got this shot of the clouds blocking the sun with a silhouette of the Washington Monument.
5. It was also touching to see the young ones getting into history. Here a dad and his two kids have a seat to read the Gettysburg Address at the Lincoln Memorial.
6. And a transit blogger's trip is not complete without photos of the Metro. I of course hopefully did one better by getting this short movie of a train arriving.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
To Kitty Hawk and Beyond!
Just finished touring the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in DC. Saw something interesting. How did the Wright Brothers get to Kitty Hawk from Dayton to test their flying Machine? Why by train of course. How fitting. (I'll have photos up when I find my USB cord to my Camera)
Found it! The arduous journey to Kitty Hawk!
Found it! The arduous journey to Kitty Hawk!
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