tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58277971068600076162024-03-14T05:59:55.136-04:00East Busway BlogEast Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.comBlogger138125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-16376888642996135472011-02-16T13:22:00.000-05:002011-02-16T13:22:24.716-05:00Lawrenceville Greenway Circulator<div class="MsoNormal">First,</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SlowClap">Slow Clap</a> to the Mayor, and URA for this plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a great start to making the city more dense with development once again (and green development at that).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This new green development conjures images of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Portland</st1:place></st1:city> and other urban oases.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">As with any re-development plan (unless you’re a sprawling city) the key is to integrate transit options other than automobile based to increase mobility into and out of your new development.*</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This newest plan for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>’s new riverfront development certainly addresses these issues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>AVR’s branch to <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">26<sup>st</sup> street</st1:address></st1:street> in the Strip has been planned for integration into the development as part of their already proposed commuter rail and also includes an at-grade “trolley circulator” which would traverse <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Smallman St</st1:address></st1:street>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Penn Ave.</st1:address></st1:street></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve talked <a href="" name="OLE_LINK2"></a><a href="" name="OLE_LINK1"><span style="mso-bookmark: OLE_LINK2;">ad-nauseum </span></a>about AVR’s commuter line (although I will address the addition of another commuter line later). <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result I’ll focus more on the at-grade trolley topic as well as an oft ignored topic here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city></st1:place>; the water taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Trolley Circulator<o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In my mind, you wouldn’t have to do anything to the strip and it would already be a great idea for a tourist centered trolley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An at grade line on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Smallman St.</st1:address></st1:street> from saaaayyyy the Heinz History Center to the 31<sup>st</sup> St. Bridge would be great to move people in the Strip on weekends.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As such it only makes sense that this idea would be incorporated into this riverfront plan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As written in the proposal, this line would start at the <st1:placename w:st="on">David</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Convention Center</st1:placetype> and travel at grade up <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Smallman St.</st1:address></st1:street> to the <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">40<sup>th</sup> St.</st1:address></st1:street> Bridge, where it would then loop onto <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Penn Ave</st1:address></st1:street> back to approx <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">21<sup>st</sup> St.</st1:address></st1:street> where it would rejoin the ROW on Smallman back to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">David</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Lawrence</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Convention Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I said before; solid idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I also realize that this is just a proposal for the entire project and as such doesn’t go into too much detail on the transportation aspects of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are some issues that should be discussed and ironed out. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First, check out this great primer for streetcar systems over at the <a href="http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/existing-systems/existing-streetcar-systems/">Transport Politic</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"> <br />
There have been a number of streetcar systems established in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> within the past ten years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What’s even more promising is that some of these have built a successful nitch in traditionally non-transit friendly areas, such as <a href="http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/">Tampa’s TECO Streetcar</a> and <a href="http://www.cat.org/rrail/index.html">Little Rock’s River Rail</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">These and other systems have capitalized on the nostalgia aspect of trolleys.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many lines use either heritage equipment (like <st1:city w:st="on">San Francisco</st1:city>’s fleet of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PCC_streetcar">PCC cars</a>) or new equipment made to look old (like TECO and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Little Rock</st1:place></st1:city>).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would bring back a lot of memories for Pittsburghers to see trolleys like this</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or this</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/6/3/1/7631.1076113200.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="246" src="http://www.railpictures.net/images/d1/6/3/1/7631.1076113200.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There is certainly something to be said for marketing your operation correctly and nostalgia is certainly a good way to do it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, nothing beats ease of use and good inter-connection.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I like the idea that it spans the entire length of the Strip from downtown all the way to Lawrenceville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It would be a great way for a Lawrenceville or Strip resident to get downtown or move between the neighborhoods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>However, the key question which isn’t really addressed here is;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>how do you get to the trolley if you’re not one of these residents?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What are it’s connections?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know there is talk of another trolley circulator to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oakland</st1:place></st1:city> but that’s a topic for later.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>How will someone from the Southside, or the South Hills make use of this trolley without driving to a parking lot in the Strip or Lawrenceville? <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The T would make a great connector, but with AVR seemingly going all the way <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Steel</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Plaza</st1:placetype></st1:place>, that takes away that option.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Additionally how will someone from <st1:city w:st="on">Oakland</st1:city>, or Hazelwood, or East Liberty or <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Garfield</st1:city></st1:place> get to this line without driving? </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can be done, after all we’ve got the East Busway for the east end neighborhoods, and supposedly this commuter rail will be an option for people coming from the South, but how this will be integrated and implemented are important discussions that could make or break this operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Lastly, I don't like the idea of putting it on Penn Ave.</st1:address></st1:street><span> </span>I know the plan is to use the circulator to take cars off the streets, in particular <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Penn Ave.</st1:address></st1:street> in the Strip.<span> </span>As a transit guy, I know I’m supposed to believe that putting down rails will take cars off the roads, and I DO believe that.<span> </span>However, I’m a realist and know a lot of people drive to the Strip on the weekends and that a lot of people will continue to do that as a lot of them are NOT city residents but in fact suburbanites.<span> </span>I also know that it’s basically bumper to bumper traffic from about 25<sup>th</sup> <st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place> down through 16<sup>th</sup> on a Saturday morning.<span> </span>I think over time that will change but the change will not be immediate.<span> </span>I think you can get nearly the same effect by putting two tracks in <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Smallman St.</st1:address></st1:street> and letting <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Penn Ave</st1:address></st1:street> alone.<span> </span>That said:<span> </span>it’s not a stake in the heart of the idea.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">The second issue is more of a practical nature.<span> </span>If you have one track on Smallman and one on Penn, you are creating two at grade crossings of the AVR’s commuter line should it follow its proposed route on 26<sup>th</sup> St.<span> </span>Two rail operations crossing at grade are more complex than a road crossing a railroad at grade.<span> </span>It involves more circuitry, and electronic systems to accomplish.<span> </span>Why do it twice within a few blocks, making redundant systems when you can do it once, on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Smallman St</st1:address></st1:street>?<span> </span>You’re not chasing passengers away by having the route one block away with the relatively narrow blocks in the Strip, and you’re saving money on implementation and operating costs.<span> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span>Overall, I'm clearly on board with this. I think it's a great idea and the Strip is a great place to do it. However, there are some issues that will have to be fleshed out before this aspect of the Riverfront plan could be implemented. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">I was going to cover the additional circulator to Oakland in this post, but seems as though I am rambling and will probably cover that and the “proposed” North Hills to Hazelwood commuter line at the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Next up:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Water Taxi</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal">*As an aside, that was a major failure with earlier re-development projects in the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city> area.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The water front is nothing more than a dressed up strip mall with oceans of pavement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The South Side works, although denser development has few options for transit and no room for transit expansion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-72984468145689712832011-02-14T13:16:00.000-05:002011-02-14T13:16:02.133-05:00Lawrenceville GreenwayA full report's finally available on the city's plan for the new "Greenway" which would extend from the DLC to the city line. <br />
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Not all of it's transit related, but there are some interesting nuggets, including a trolley "circulator" between Dahntahn and Lawrenceville, some sort of additional circulator between Lawrenceville and Oakland The oft mentioned commuter rail has popped up once again. This time including an extension on the old CSX P&W subdivision between Allison Park and Hazelwood (huh?)<br />
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I'll have more to say later, but in the mean time;<a href="http://www.pittsburghpa.gov/alleghenyriverfront/"> here's the link</a>.East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-43795010102486870682011-01-19T15:31:00.000-05:002011-01-19T15:31:28.966-05:00In Happier NewsFresh off my previous rant, it's good to see some positive news. <br />
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<a href="http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11019/1119023-147.stm">Check it aaaaaaht</a><br />
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It'll be nice to have the Port Authority join the 21st century. I look forward to more smart card machines than one can count!East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-71185611738566427802011-01-19T15:19:00.000-05:002011-01-19T15:19:43.274-05:00“T” Gate<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;"><b>*Disclaimer* I usually try and be pretty fair, using facts to support my arguments. This is strictly my opinion. If at any point you become offended, stop reading and close your browser window. I’ll be back to the regular old stuff soon enough. </b> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Enough of this crap.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>It’s getting really ridiculous to see ATU 85 once again shoot the Port Authority, and in turn, themselves in the foot to prove a point.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What that point is, I’m not exactly sure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I do know what is being said, however.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ATU 85 is saying that the Port Authority’s “T” schedules are impossible to follow without violating speed restrictions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All of this supposedly came about after an external safety audit of PAT operations.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Port Authority is coming back and saying that the speed limits have not changed in over 12 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I can’t unequivocally say I know that this is the <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place>’s fault and not PAT’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, judging from the contract “negotiations” of 2008 where the <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place> threatened to strike because of a minimal increase in healthcare costs, and a lot of the stupidity I have heard roll out of Pat McMahon’s mouth over the past few years, I’m siding with the Port Authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Again, I’m not sure what the real point of ATU 85’s shenanigans are.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If their point is that the 15% service cuts are bad, then address that, pissing off commuters on the T is in no way that my feeble brain can comprehend productive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All they are doing is adding a disgruntled third party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A third party that can either support the Port Authority, and in turn ATU 85 or harm the Port Authority and in turn ATU 85.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In fact, the biggest thing the <st1:place w:st="on">Union</st1:place> can do to screw itself is to give the taxpayers the impression that they are overpaid and that they underperform.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Right now, it seems like they are right on track to screw themselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the face of extreme budget uncertainty and while they are some of the highest paid transit operators in the Nation, the ATU 85 has decided to go toe to toe with the Port Authority by delaying trains…<a href="http://ecdn3.hark.com/images/000/001/015/1015/guinness-brilliant_large.jpg">BRILLIANT</a>!</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As I said, I have no idea what this is really about, but I do know what this is accomplishing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s further eroding the faith in public transportation and the Port Authority, by no fault of its own; and could ultimately lead to even GREATER layoffs and service cuts in the future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-79770682528081432452011-01-11T11:38:00.000-05:002011-01-11T11:38:21.230-05:00My ManA little candor is refreshing every once in a while. <br />
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<a href="http://www.statesman.com/news/local/politicians-are-wussing-out-on-transportation-retiring-pennsylvania-1174601.html">Cheers to Ed Rendell</a>!East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-48269167946732222582011-01-11T11:30:00.000-05:002011-01-11T11:30:50.349-05:00Transportation IgnoranceI like to make fun of the Trib, but I have to hand it to them, they've been all over the transportation/infrastructure stuff!<br />
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<a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/roadwork/s_717234.html">Check out this article from yesterday's Trib</a>. <br />
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This article seems to provide a really good barometer of Pennsylvania's public opinion concerning our transportation and infrastructure situation. <br />
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The bad news is everyone appears not to care. At least not enough to address it. My crack analysis shows that only a little more than a quarter of your average Pennsylvanian thinks that transportation and infrastructure should be a priority for our incoming state government. The silver lining to that cloud is that we Pittsburghers seem much more keenly aware of the issues facing our Commonwealth when it comes to repairing our infrastructure and upgrading our transportation systems. Given the general apathy, I'm sure the rallying cry for the next four years at least will be much the same as it has been: "Don't take my money to pay for your fancy shmancy public transportation" <br />
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Given the low numbers, it's not suprising to see that a majority of those interviewed would not support higher costs to support infrastucture/transportation improvements. Even less suprising is that those numbers are highest in rural areas. <br />
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The biggest question I have is: why don't people care? Eventhough Corbett has pledged up and down he will not raise taxes, he, and his appointed transition committee members seem keenly aware of the poor state of our infrastructure. Why doesn't your average Pennsylvanian feel the same sense of urgency? The news on the state of our infrastructure has not been kept in the dark. Yet, most people are still concerned with lower taxes than a bridge collapsing, or getting cars off the roads. East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-77827773964678972742011-01-10T15:37:00.000-05:002011-01-10T15:37:34.972-05:00Should we add railroads to the list of Passenger Rail enemies?<div class="MsoNormal">A lot of HSR stuff in the news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s no secret that Obama’s vision for a national High Speed Rail network is under attack.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many newly elected officials are far from passenger rail fans.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone’s heard about what’s happened in <a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/10/gov_christie_kills_hudson_rive_1.html">New Jersey</a>, <a href="http://www.wisn.com/r/26077459/detail.html">Wisconsin</a>, and <a href="http://www.ohio.com/news/ohiocentric/111652254.html">Ohio</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.infrastructureusa.org/a-billion-dollar-federal-grant-to-reduce-travel-time-by-48-minutes/">Meanwhile, what should have been a milestone event in Illinois turns out to have simply added more fuel to the anti-rail fire</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">While I do not buy in wholesale to the premise of the article, it brings up some very practical and real issues with the implementation of the Obama Administration’s implementation of HSR and with expansion of our passenger rail network in general.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The biggest and most interesting, in my mind, is the buy-in of the host railroad.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The article surmises among other things that Union Pacific may have “driven a hard bargain” to <st1:state w:st="on">Illinois</st1:state> and <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Missouri</st1:place></st1:state> in exchange for their cooperation with the project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To me, when they say “hard bargain” they mean $$$.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By money I have a feeling they mean state contribution for upgrades to infrastructure including track and signaling equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I understand Union Pacific, like all freight railroads want to protect their profitability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They make their money by moving freight, after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, it’s disconcerting to see they are willing to accept negative effects to our national transportation infrastructure so they don’t see a reduction in their margins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The freight railroads, for the most part know they have a captive audience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most operating rights of way in this country are private and are owned by corporations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Any public agency or partnership that wishes to expand service must cooperate with the freight railroads and basically must submit to whatever conditions the carrier lays out, or risk outright refusal to cooperate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are legal means to get around this refusal, but a profitable freight railroad is much better equipped to handle a potentially protracted court battle than a coalition using funding which is tight to begin with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also, let’s face it, a lot of transportation projects, especially rail projects often face significant opposition, and a public legal battle would not help the situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">We’ve seen similar issues here in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:place></st1:state>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Look no further than the Keystone Corridor which on paper extends from <st1:city w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In reality, the section from <st1:city w:st="on">Harrisburg</st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city> is little more than a line on a map.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Between <st1:city w:st="on">Harrisburg</st1:city> and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:place></st1:city> multiple electric powered trains per day whiz back and forth at maximum speeds up to 110 mph.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>West of Harrisburg, a lone diesel powered daily train takes riders to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While the line from <st1:city w:st="on">Philadelphia</st1:city> to <st1:city w:st="on">Harrisburg</st1:city> sees only local freight service and is owned by the state, the line west of <st1:city w:st="on">Harrisburg</st1:city> is one of two major rail arteries between <st1:state w:st="on">New York</st1:state> and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Chicago</st1:place></st1:city>, and is owned by a private company (NS).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though there is room to expand (the line was once 3-4 tracks for its whole length, and is now 2-3) NS has gone on record saying that it will require significant investment from public sources for NS to buy in on any service expansion to Pittsburgh.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Another example is the ongoing Commuter rail saga here in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time last year, it seemed almost a foregone conclusion that <st1:city w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city> would be gaining two rail lines; one to New Kensington/Arnold via the AVR, and one to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Greensburg</st1:place></st1:city> via the NS.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>By July however, NS’s tune apparently changed, as they became “highly unlikely to allow commuter trains on their tracks”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a result, we’ve gone from a dual line heavy commuter “system” to a single line light rail system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While it’s impossible to know what changed, clearly something did.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Freight railroad's lack of cooperation in allowing passenger operations on their rails is understandable but detrimental to our nation transportation network.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The only real way to get them to help is to force them to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unfortunately, that is a thorny subject.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of people in this country don’t like when the Government tells companies what to do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, just like every other lobby, there’s a lot of money behind the railroad lobby and any legislation forcing railroad compliance would have to fight not only political will, but good old fashioned money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I have to wonder what the answer is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I for one don’t know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s hard to see our national rail network ever expanding if railroads themselves will make it cost prohibitive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-88261414510169116452011-01-05T15:15:00.001-05:002011-01-05T15:19:39.880-05:00Mid-week Train Links<div class="MsoNormal">Here’s a couple of links I found today, both rail related.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>First</b>, in the total surprise department, the Trib issued a transportation (other than auto) friendly column yesterday. <br />
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<a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/columnists/guests/s_716128.html">Check it out here</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before you get too excited, links at the bottom of the page are a little less Bizzaro-Trib in nature. After reading this article you can find out how “liberals” have been proven to be “stupid”. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Enough attempted humor. The article is dead on, and fits in well with what experts in transportation and infrastructure have been screaming into deaf ears. Our transportation system is second rate and getting worse, because as we aren’t spending money to fix it and integrate it. In this country, if it’s not about cars it’s a conspiracy against our Freedom, or some such nonsense. While we are busy doing this:<br />
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<a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="See no evil" border="0" src="http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w25/jjh4/Monkey/SeenoevilMonkeys.jpg" /></a><br />
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the rest of the world is improving its infrastructure, in this case its rail systems. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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<b>Second</b>, <a href="http://www.postgazette.com/pg/11005/1115723-147.stm">This link comes from the Post Gazette</a>. Apparently the midst of a budget/funding crisis where the fare from every rider counts is the perfect time to practice Union tomfoolery. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I am a pretty progressive person (especially when it comes to transportation, which should be no suprise) but there’s nothing like cutting off your nose to spite your face. Apparently purposely screwing with people’s schedules and pissing off the riders is a great way to stick it to the man. <br />
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What is this, kindergarten? Grow up; you make a lot of money for what you do, and your employer is in a constant state of funding distress. The last thing the Port Authority needs, and deserves is a black eye because some self-entitled workers want to stick it to them. </div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-76150165242714382792010-12-28T15:04:00.001-05:002010-12-28T16:48:30.257-05:00Why not a Gondola???<div class="MsoNormal">First things first; I learned a valuable lesson early on while researching for this post. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">An aerial tram is about as closely related to a gondola as a housecat is to a lion. While trams and gondolas both travel through the air, are suspended and propelled by cables mounted atop towers, there are some key differences. (All numbers are approximations and depend on system length, # of vehicles etc.)</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.5in; text-indent: .5in;">Tram Gondola</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cars/system 1-2 10+</div><div class="MsoNormal">Cost/line $15-50 mil $8-15 mil</div><div class="MsoNormal">Carrier Cap. 20-50 4-12</div><div class="MsoNormal">System Capacity 2000/hr 2400+/hr </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/news/city-walkabout/23808-to-the-hill-through-the-skywhy-not">This idea of an aerial gondola in Pittsburgh</a> popped up a little while ago, and is very intriguing to me. The idea has been pooh-poohed and at first glance, that notion seems to be accurate. They’re slow, and can only travel in straight lines without significant upgrades to infrastructure and increases in cost. Some people may also argue that they are an eyesore high in the sky.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I for one think it’s worth a second glance. First of all, we’re not trying to connect to the airport here. This system could be successful as a link within the most dense parts of the city. Secondly, when compared to the cost for an at-grade or underground rail system, you are looking at an absolute blockbuster bargain (an underground link between downtown and <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oakland</st1:place></st1:city> was estimated at over $1 Billion with a B and an at grade system has been estimated at over $100 million). An additional positive aspect of an airborne system is the miniscule infrastructure footprint when compared to at grade or underground systems. Lastly they’re not as slow as you think. </div><div class="MsoNormal">Detachable technology allows the gondolas to separate from the cable while in a terminal and move independently from the cable which operates at a constant speed. While the gondolas travel at a literal crawl in each station, they can actually travel as fast as 20 ft/sec once under way. When you combine that with the fact that they travel in a complete straight line towards their destination, you could be looking at a trip between <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oakland</st1:place></st1:city> and the Southside in a mere 5 minutes. Five minutes all while taking in beautiful views of our beautiful city. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s a few interesting reads:</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.doppelmayr.com/index.php?id=2&L=3&country=all">A German Company who specializes in aerial trams and gondolas</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://gondolaproject.com/">An advocacy website for “Cable Driven Transit”</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Well, I couldn’t just sit idly by with all this new-fangled and novel transit talk going on and not flex my Google Map muscle.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Essentially, I tried to create a circulator that would take you from nearly any “city core” neighborhood to another relatively easily. Station placement is key in this scenario because there would be no “intermediate stops” on a given line. Therefore, easy access to TOD and or other transit is critical for this idea to work.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The system would consist of five color coded lines. Each line would tie directly into another line at a terminal building and would operate in both directions. This is to facilitate easy and quick transfer from line to line without a rider having to leave the relative comfort of an enclosed terminal. Each gondola would ideally hold between 8 and 10 people, and each line would have enough gondolas to keep any transfer time under a minute. Payment would be rendered at the intial entry station, and an unlimited number free transfers could be made, until a person exits a station and the system. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Lines:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Blue:</b> <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Oakland</st1:city></st1:place> Campus. This line would connect <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Fifth Ave.</st1:address></st1:street> with the Sports Complex. Would also tie into the Yellow Line at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Fifth Ave.</st1:address></st1:street> and the Red Line at Pitt’s Upper Campus. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yellow: </b><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oakland</st1:place></st1:city> to Southside. This line would connect with the Blue Line at <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Fifth Ave</st1:address></st1:street>, and the Orange Line in the South Side. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Orange</b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:</b> Southside to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Washington</st1:placename></st1:place>. This line connects with the Yellow Line in the Southside, and the Green Line at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Washington</st1:placename></st1:place></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Green</b>: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Washington</st1:placename></st1:place> to Uptown. This line connects with the Orange Line at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">Mt.</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Washington</st1:placename></st1:place>, and with the Red Line Uptown. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Red:</b> Uptown to Upper Campus. This line connects with the Green Line at Uptown and with the Blue Line at Pitt’s Upper Campus. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Stations:</span><o:p></o:p></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Upper Pitt Campus:</b> This station serves the Upper Pitt Campus and Hill District. This station increases the potential for Pitt Students to use the gondola as an alternative to walking up the hill or using a shuttle. For this service to work however, some sort of free fare system for students would have to be worked out. <br />
<st1:city w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Oakland</b></st1:city><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">:</b> This station would provide access to the heart of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Oakland</st1:city></st1:place> with the Pitt Campus and hospitals. It would also provide good transit access with the bus routes which traverse <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">5<sup>th</sup> Ave</st1:address></st1:street> and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Forbes Ave.</st1:address></st1:street> </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">South Side Flats:</b> This station would be best situated between the Southside works and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Carson St</st1:address></st1:street>. This would allow easy access (2-3 blocks in either direction) to the attractions at the Southside Works and <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Carson St</st1:address></st1:street>. This stop would also tie in well with Port Authority service on the South Side. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:placetype w:st="on"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Mt.</b></st1:placetype><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <st1:placename w:st="on">Washington</st1:placename>:</b> This station would offer easy access to the Mon Incline and views of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Uptown:</b> This station would tie in very well with Current re-development plans for the Civic Arena site and the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Consol</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">Energy</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Center</st1:placetype></st1:place>. The only potential issue with this stop is it does not tie in well with transit downtown. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=204620161313841032330.0004987a02b456ceb69c1&ll=40.437671,-79.98064&spn=0.045337,0.072956&z=13&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=204620161313841032330.0004987a02b456ceb69c1&ll=40.437671,-79.98064&spn=0.045337,0.072956&z=13&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">Fun With Aerial Gondolas</a> in a larger map</small></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Again, this is by no means a hard and fast plan, but a mere suggestion at how and aerial gondola could be made a very well patronized, inexpensive, and viable form of intra-city transportation in the City of <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-32318190114239536992010-12-22T10:44:00.000-05:002010-12-22T10:44:05.236-05:00My Hard Work Pays Off!<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarcasm">You can all thank me later</a>...<br />
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<a href="http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/News/LatestNews/tabid/533/newsid1261/1067/mid/1261/Default.aspx">http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/News/LatestNews/tabid/533/newsid1261/1067/mid/1261/Default.aspx</a>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-49125875118763453542010-12-21T11:59:00.000-05:002010-12-21T11:59:12.898-05:00Winter What?<div class="MsoNormal">It’s hard to miss signs of the 2011 Winter Classic between the Pens and Washington Capitals taking place in just over 11 days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I for one am ecstatic; between the Alumni game and Classic itself, this an exciting time for hockey in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br style="mso-special-character: line-break;" /> <!--[endif]--></div><div class="MsoNormal">How is this related to transit you ask?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, check out this segue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The only organization in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city> that doesn’t seem to know there is an event at Heinz Field on the 1<sup>st</sup> of January is the Port Authority.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I understand they’ve been pre-occupied, with the budget crisis, but still, this is a HUGE event for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike your average Steeler game (which has a number of transportation options to choose from), a lot of people will be from out of town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A lot of those same people will be staying in City and area hotels and will be looking for a good way (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Price_gouging">other than paying $100-$500 to park within a mile of the stadium</a>) to get to the stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><br />
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If you look at the Port Authority’s website, you’d think that nothing is going on. A spin of the<a href="http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/Schedules/TripPlanner/tabid/164/ampm/AM/hour/10/arrival/heinz%20field/year/2011/month/01/minute/30/day/01/Default.aspx"> ole' trip calculator</a> between anywhere and Heinz Field reveals no special service options, detours or announcements in conjunction with the Winter Classic.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Meanwhile, a casual search</span> of the internets revealed about 30 different forum threads on various websites from out of towners looking for ways to use public transportation to get to the game.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This event has already been great for <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We, as a city look awesome in everything from the advertisements to HBO’s series "24/7".<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city> likens itself to a progressive and “greening” city committed to livability and sustainability.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That image doesn’t really jive with a transportation authority who, from all appearances, is not concerned with providing quality transportation alternatives to driving for arguably the biggest sporting event in <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city> this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It seems that to the Port Authority, it’s just another weekend holiday on an un-remarkable winter day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-81579785569761275632010-12-20T16:17:00.000-05:002010-12-20T16:17:09.744-05:00AVR Commuter Rail Operations Part 3<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Vehicles</span></b></span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal">The end is in sight! </div><div class="MsoNormal">This final portion of my series on the proposed AVR Commuter line will cover equipment. It’s been decided, for better or worse, that the AVR’s plan will not use an FRA-compliant heavy DMU, ala US Railcar. Instead they will use a light DMU. There are plenty on the market in Europe, and there are several operating examples in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">United States</st1:place></st1:country-region>. <br />
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I’ve quoted the RiverLine a lot and they use <a href="http://www.stadlerrail.com/media/uploads/factsheets/GTW_SNJ_en.pdf">a version</a> of <a href="http://www.stadlerrail.com/media/uploads/factsheets/GTW_SNJ_en.pdf">Stadler</a> “GTW” line of vehicle. This line is also used by <a href="http://www.stadlerrail.com/media/uploads/factsheets/GTW_CapMetro_e.pdf">Capital Metro in Austin, TX</a>, and is the proposed vehicle for a new start up service <a href="http://www.stadlerrail.com/media/uploads/factsheets/GDCT0909e_E_new.pdf">in Denton County Texas</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Other manufacturers with a foothold in North America include <a href="http://www.mobility.siemens.com/mobility/en/pub/home.htm">Siemens Mobility</a>, whose <a href="http://www.mobility.siemens.com/mobility/en/pub/urban_mobility/rail_solutions/commuter_and_intercity/desiro.htm">Desiro</a> design is used by Southern California’s <a href="http://www.gonctd.com/sprinter_intro.htm">Sprinter</a> service and <a href="http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation">Bombardier</a> whose <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talent_(train)">Talent</a> vehicle was chosen for Ottawa’s <a href="http://www.octranspo1.com/routes/o-train">“O-Train”.</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To be honest, that’s about the extent of the information. Plenty of company propaganda, but little other information. I’m not privy, of course, to pricing and what types of options the AVR would include, but if they’re married to a light DMU, then there are at least a number of options to choose from. </div><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br />
</span></b></span>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-30919382672139941512010-12-15T15:49:00.000-05:002010-12-15T15:49:50.092-05:00By The Skin of their Teeth…<div class="MsoNormal">Whew….I can take a breath for now at least.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Funding is by no means secure for the future, but things look good today.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s to the small victories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p><br />
</o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10348/1110587-147.stm">Check out the article here</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://blogs.sites.post-gazette.com/index.php/news/the-roundabout/23792-how-they-voted-on-transit">Check out an even more interesting blog post here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
Very emblematic of the struggle within the state for transportation funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The groups that seemingly had little stake in the funding crisis voted “NO” overwhelmingly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Allegheny</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> and in areas that had the most to lose voted overwhelmingly “YES”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s more of the classic “My taxes should only go to pay for my roads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Screw everyone else.”</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">It’s sad to see that such parochialism exists even within the council.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m sure everyone believes they are voting in the best interest of the region (or at least that’s what the point of the SPC is).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, there are clearly divergent views on what’s important.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I for one don’t understand how you can let the largest population density in the region (and the economic production that goes along with that) to flounder without proper transportation assets and expect it not to affect more than just Allegheny County.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:placename w:st="on">Washington</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> realized that, I can’t believe that some of our other neighbors (namely Westmoreland, <st1:city w:st="on">Butler</st1:city> and <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Beaver</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Counties</st1:placetype></st1:place>) could not, or chose not to recognize that fact.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-83923636206113550262010-12-07T17:37:00.001-05:002010-12-09T16:17:13.760-05:00Nothing Set in Stone<div class="MsoNormal">First things first. <a href="http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/opinion/s_712166.html">Don’t call it a bailout</a> (that goes for you too PG). That insinuates the Port Authority immediately screwed something up*. The Port Authority didn’t say; “Hey, let’s throw away our state funding on hookers and blow!” The state promised dedicated funding for public transportation. Their plan was arguably a stupid idea and they had no plan B when it didn’t work. Now they can’t balance the budget while providing a sustainable transit funding source. The blame for this immediate crisis lies with the state.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Now to the topic at hand; <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10338/1108239-147.stm">there is yet to be consensus among the SPC members that they will sign this off on this transfer of funds</a>. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Apparently, some on the committee are saying that this is just another band-aid. I would agree. No one thinks this is permanent. However, I would also argue the Port Authority shouldn’t be pushed off the cliff to prove a point. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal">Permanent funding absolutely needs to be established. Forcing the Port Authority over the edge and using <st1:place w:st="on">Western Pennsylvania</st1:place>’s transit users as pawns in the process is not the right way to bring about the needed change. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The move is meant to buy time to allow steady funding to be established WITHOUT the massive cuts, increased wear and tear on roads, and increased traffic headaches that will occur as a result. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Not helping the cause is the fact that there seem to be some clear highway advocates within the SPC, especially in areas that are not densely populated and do not have a big public transportation footprint. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Chairman Charlie Camp seems to be a leader among them, stating: </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black; font-size: 13.5pt;">"We're tired of the mass transit funding issue coming at the cost of highways and bridges and being put on our table."<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;">I believe that to be a short-sited and erroneous statement.</span></span><span style="color: black;"> The money is coming from projects that were not started. This money would not have been spent on improving our highways. Additionally, if the cuts are allowed to go through, they will cause major increases in road usage, and therefore increases in wear and tear on our already tired roads and bridges. Not spending the money to keep the Port Authority going is <b>NOT</b> going to help Western Pennsylvania's roads.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">Bottom line, it looks like it’s going to be yet another nail biter in this already very nervous year for the Port Authority and their riders.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">If you care about keeping service at least at status quo, then here are a couple of contacts:<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">To reach the General Comments address: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> <a href="mailto:comments@spcregion.org">comments@spcregion.org</a><o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;">To reach the Transportation Planning Director<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">: <span class="apple-style-span"><a href="mailto:dipietro@spcregion.org">dipietro@spcregion.org</a></span></b></span><span class="apple-style-span"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><br />
</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*As I've stated before, the Port Authority has done plenty over the years to warrant anger towards their financial situation. However, this particular situation has nothing to do with the current regime at the Port Authority. It's also easy to blame the Unions. It's true that their negotiated advances did a lot to push us towards this point. However, the Unions have a legal contract in place and Steve Bland cannot just legally back out on that contract and make the sweeping changes that are called for in some circles. </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-55679583804123150842010-12-02T13:01:00.000-05:002010-12-02T13:01:23.579-05:00Crisis...Averted?I found this by way of <a href="http://pghisacity.blogspot.com/">PGH is a City</a> this morning.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://post-gazette.com/pg/10336/1107723-455.stm">Here's the story</a>.<br />
<br />
Rendell has found funding. That part is good. As of right now, we don't know if the <a href="http://www.spcregion.org/">Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission</a> will approve the "flexing" of $45 million in funds to cover the Port Authority funding gap. They will meet to decide on December 13th. <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10208/1075546-147.stm">If you'll recall</a>, over the summer the Commission voted unanimously to turn down a one time "flex" of money from the Governor. That was then, this is now. <br />
<br />
At that point there was hope that a long term solution was still a possibility so in many ways it made sense that the commission would vote the flex down. Now that we are down to the wire, they will hopefully approve the measure.<br />
<br />
Key word here is hopefully.<br />
<br />
Another key issue is, this is just a temporary stay of execution so to speak. It's a one year, one time cash infusion that will do nothing to solve the perenial funding issues facing the Port Authority. <br />
<br />
However, at this point, I'd be glad to take just about anything that will help stave off the cuts.East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-44691598315822276612010-11-30T15:07:00.000-05:002010-11-30T15:07:08.454-05:00AVR Commuter Rail Operations Part 2<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Signaling</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">First off, in a different post I used the traffic light analogy when describing a railroad signaling system.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That’s partially right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a much better and in depth description of railroad signaling, and different types of railroad signal, <a href="http://www.railroadsignals.us/basics/basics4.htm">check this out</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">As it stands right now, none of the current AVR line mentioned in this proposal is signaled.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Signals were removed from this route back in the PRR days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means not only that all the signals and associated relay equipment will have to be re-installed, but any other remotely controlled switches/derails*/automatic stops** etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and their associated relay equipment would have to be installed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a normal cost associated with setting up a commuter operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Additionally, special signaling would have to be supplied for the portion that runs at-grade on <st1:street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">26<sup>th</sup> street</st1:address></st1:street> and on the Busway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Here’s the good news.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A local business getting the business.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.ansaldo-sts.com/AnsaldoSTS/EN/WorldWideNavigator/NorthAmerica/US/index.sdo">Union Switch and Signal (a part of Ansaldo)</a> has their headquarters in the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This sounds like a match made in heaven to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The signaling concept is pretty easy and straightforward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A light rail operation can use similar rules and signaling with a few modifications (mainly derails and Automatic train control devices).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Aside from cost, there is little that would be more challenging than a heavy commuter line, or any other light rail for that matter.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">*Apparently derails are required at controlled points where a heavy rail operation interlocks with a light rail operation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These devices will prevent an improperly directed train from entering<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>prohibited territory.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">**<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Automatic train control devices would be required at all interlockings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If a train does not have permission to proceed through the interlocking (by the signal protecting the interlocking), then an automatic train control device would kick in and stop the train.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These devices require both rail vehicle modification and additional lineside equipment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-85585093171062350452010-11-29T12:03:00.000-05:002010-11-29T12:03:03.845-05:00Routes Getting the AxeFound this on the Port Authority's website this morning. There's an awful lot of red.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.portauthority.org/paac/portals/0/board/P&D_ServiceReductions_Nov2010.pdf">http://www.portauthority.org/paac/portals/0/board/P&D_ServiceReductions_Nov2010.pdf</a>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-81053693337640779382010-11-24T11:29:00.000-05:002010-11-24T11:29:16.716-05:00It’s Done Done<div class="MsoNormal">With a mere 50 people there to mark it’s passing, the Port Authority inked the largest fare hike and service cut in Port Authority history.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I wonder how long it takes the other 1 million people in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Allegheny</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> to notice that their lives have been negatively impacted by not giving a damn about transit funding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A big shout out to the Pennsylvania State Government for having a funding plan that wasn’t secure, and then showing the political fortitude to do <u><b>absolutely nothing</b></u> about it when that funding plan fell through.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Also a big shout out to Pat McMahon of ATU 85 for threatening to strike over a 6% raise in health care costs and a 3% salary raise in 2008 and then having the <u><b>gall</b></u> to scold anyone but the ATU leaders and members of the last 20-30 years who have plenty of culpability in this whole situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10328/1105862-455.stm">http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10328/1105862-455.stm</a></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-7998069999566178202010-11-23T11:53:00.000-05:002010-11-23T11:53:23.182-05:00While We're on the Subject...Been doing a lot of writing about the FRA regulations dealing with light rail. While searching for the regulations themselves, I found this interesting blog post. It's a few years old, but informative and interesting nonetheless. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.ebbc.org/rail/fra.html">http://www.ebbc.org/rail/fra.html</a><br />
<br />
Could the issues raised in the post indeed have something to do with how expensive/troublesome it has been to get our national passenger rail network off the ground? I can't say for sure, but there are some interesting points brought up that would support that notion. <br />
<br />
I found the portion on TOD and silent crossings to be particularly interesting (that's how you know if you're a transit nerd)East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-33097498108422441452010-11-22T17:04:00.002-05:002010-11-23T17:23:35.876-05:00AVR Commuter Rail Operations Part 1<div class="MsoNormal">Ok, I’m FINALLY getting to this. I know there’s a lot going on, and a lot of it is negative. I’d like to focus on something that is moving forward, at least for the time being. I was going to do this in one post, but it got a little O.O.C. so it’ll be broken up into three. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Dispatching</span></b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Before I get into the whole light rail/freight separation thing, we can get the “easy stuff” out of the way. Dispatching of this operation would be vary very little from dispatching a “heavy rail” operation. A dispatcher would oversee operation, line signals and manage the movement and protection of the trains. The bigger question is who would run it. I can’t say for sure if AVR has dispatching factored into its annual operating cost in its study of this service. I do know that they will be on the hook for it. I would be very surprised if CSX would take on this responsibility, and there’s no way the NS would get involved. Additionally, as The Trib so wonderfully put it, they wouldn’t want to burden the Port Authority with any further responsibility, so the AVR looks to be on the hook for all operations including dispatching. A cost issue, which must be taken into account is night-time operations. If a signal system is installed (it would have to be) it can’t just be shut off at night. It takes written FRA approval to shut down a signaling system. That means that the lone night time train would require a third shift dispatcher. Hardly an effective use of money. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The next question is what operating rules they would use. NORAC would make the most obvious choice, and is used by NJT on their RiverLine. Most other rulebooks are railroad specific, but NORAC provides rules which are used by multiple railroads, especially in the Northeast/Mid Atlantic region. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Time Seperations</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">I’ve talked a lot about light rail intermixed with freight traffic and I’m not a big fan of these types of operations, except in cases where the freight operating window is very narrow (think a few hours) because of the FRA requirement of a “temporal separation” between freight traffic and light-rail passenger operations. If you’re going to run a commuter service, then in my mind it should be heavy rail, but that’s another discussion for another post. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If this operation is envisioned to be a purely commuter style operation, then the separation called for by the FRA isn’t a big problem. Passenger trains would operate mostly into the city during the day and out of the city at night. Operations would end probably somewhere around 8 or 9 PM, allowing the AVR to serve its customers, and would then begin early in the morning. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The problem with this is, however, it limits the operation’s effectiveness for TOD and also in getting people out of their cars on nights and weekends. What’s the attraction to living close to transit that doesn’t operate when you need it (outside of work)?</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If this operation is to be, as some have painted it, as an intra-city link to move people from downtown to the Strip/Lawrenceville area, then this could be a challenge (not to mention I question this operation’s value in that capacity). A subsequent separation or several separations would have to occur on a daily basis for this to work. For example, a certain portion of the line (say above Oakmont) could be made available for freight operation after a given time (10 PM for example), while the southern portion could remain off-limits to freight until a later time (1 AM, for example). One problem with this, however, is that the northern portion of the line is isolated. AVR trains must enter at one of two spots, the first around 33<sup>rd</sup> <st1:place w:st="on">St.</st1:place> which uses their own rails, or via NS’s Brilliant Branch, which would require further trackage rights and an extended back-up move. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">To accomplish this, another window would have to be established, earlier, say after rush hour but before the “nightlife” kicks in. Passenger operations would have to be banned entirely during this period and all passenger equipment clear of the line and properly secured. The AVR could then enter the line and travel north towards <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Kensington</st1:place></st1:city>. Once the train cleared a certain point (say a <a href="http://thebecketts.com/images/NORAC%208th%20Edition%20NJT.pdf">controlled point</a> in or around Oakmont) AND a certain time was reached, passenger operations could then resume on the southern portion of the line until later that evening, when passenger operations would be suspended for the evening and the AVR could service customers south of Oakmont. See the list below for a (hopefully) better explanation.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">6AM to 7 PM</b>-Passenger only operation. No freight operation allowed*</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">7 PM to 8 PM</b>-Freight only operation, no passenger operation allowed**</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8PM to 1 AM</b>-North of Oakmont: Freight only operation, no passenger operation allowed. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">8PM to 1 AM</b>-South of Oakmont: Passenger only operation, no passenger operation allowed.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">1 AM to 6 AM</b> Freight only, no passenger operations </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Clearly it’s doable but complicated. I’ve heard of an FRA waiver that could be applied for to allow simultaneous operation, but I don’t know how practical this is considering NJT’s RiverLine was supposed to be operated in this manner but could is still operated with the time separation after 6+ years of operation. <br />
<br />
<b>*EDIT*</b><br />
<a href="http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m1215/is_10_208/ai_n27416781/?tag=content;col1">I did a little more digging</a> and found out that the RiverLine <i>is</i> operating under waivers. However, it's not as straightforward as I thought. Apparently a waiver is required just to let freight trains use an interlocking or controlled point that has a physical connection to the RiverLine (ridiculous). Additionally, it appears that a waiver is required for a freight train to even operate on a separate but parallel track to an active light rail track (also ridiculous). New Jersey Transit and Conrail were approved for these waivers and are operating under them, but these waivers do NOT allow for freight traffic to operate on the same track at the same time as passenger traffic. <br />
<br />
These waivers would certainly have an effect on AVR's operation. The freight would have to enter at a controlled point, remotely controlled by a dispatcher.<br />
<br />
<iframe frameborder="0" height="350" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=100571560680797546996.000495bf6845d50d7e13f&ll=40.468988,-79.968238&spn=0.011427,0.018239&z=15&output=embed" width="425"></iframe><br />
<small>View <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&t=h&msa=0&msid=100571560680797546996.000495bf6845d50d7e13f&ll=40.468988,-79.968238&spn=0.011427,0.018239&z=15&source=embed" style="color: blue; text-align: left;">AVR Freight Connection</a> in a larger map</small><br />
<br />
The AVR also has a track that continues over the Allegheny River and interchanges with the Buffalo and Pittsburgh at Bakerstown, PA. Because this line (the former B&O Railroad P&W sub) sees freight traffic on an as needed basis and because there is a physical connection between this line and AVR's proposed service, a waiver would be required. <br />
<br />
The whole issue of temporal separation could be avoided by dedicating one track to freight and one to passenger. The line was at one time double track so it is possible, but again, some sort of waiver would be required. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">*This means that no heavy freight cars, engines or trains can move on or occupy any <a href="http://thebecketts.com/images/NORAC%208th%20Edition%20NJT.pdf">main track</a>, and must be secured against movement</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">**This means that no passenger trains can move on or occupy any <a href="http://thebecketts.com/images/NORAC%208th%20Edition%20NJT.pdf">main track</a>, and must be secured against movement.</span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-67550232573029659492010-11-18T13:14:00.000-05:002010-11-18T13:14:57.586-05:00High Speed Fallout<div class="MsoNormal">There’s been a ton of talk about the changes in the political winds and how it’s going to affect transportation <st1:place w:st="on">Western Pennsylvania</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Those winds have also been felt on the national level.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The shift to the right in other states has brought some potentially huge impacts to Obama’s national HSR plan and will impact the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city> region.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">There’s a really interesting battle going on in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:place></st1:state> right now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Governor-elect has pledged to end the HSR project and has asked the DOT to allow the state to re-appropriate the funds.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally<a href="http://www.talgoamerica.com/pdf/talgo-train-sale.pdf">, TALGO</a> had set up a manufacturing plant to build HSR equipment for <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:state></st1:place> and other states<a href="http://www.biztimes.com/daily/2010/11/16/">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It appears that they stand to lose the manufacturer and the money ($810 million) if the governor follows through with his plans. </a><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Of a more immediate impact to the <st1:city w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city> region is the election of a new Governor in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Ohio</st1:state></st1:place>, John Kasich.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Part of his platform from the start was to kill the 3C Corridor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><a href="http://www.dispatchpolitics.com/live/content/local_news/stories/2010/11/09/copy/kasich-wants-rail-funds-used-other-ways.html?sid=101">He has pledged to keep this promise and end the project</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a much bigger blow to Western Pennsylvania than other HSR developments, as the next step after completion of the primary corridor was a connection from <st1:city w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city> to both <st1:city w:st="on">Cleveland</st1:city> and to <st1:city w:st="on">Columbus</st1:city>, creating a triangle of passenger service in <st1:state w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Ohio</st1:place></st1:state>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the last few years, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Ohio_Hub_Map.png">Ohio has seemed more intent on getting better rail service to Pittsburgh than Pennsylvania</a> was, and now that seems to have flown out the window as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As with <st1:state w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:state>, <a href="http://ohio.hsrus.org/?p=210">DOT Secretary Ray LaHood has vowed to take back all funding given to Ohio</a>, to the tune of $400 million and put it back in the national HSR pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is immediately bad for <st1:place w:st="on">Western Pennsylvania</st1:place>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our local transit system appears to be taking a huge nosedive, and it looks like our regional connections will remain status quo, at best for the foreseeable future.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><st1:state w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:state>’s HSR grant this summer in relation to <st1:city w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:city> was miniscule ($800K) and was only to do some very preliminary studies on the NS’s route from <st1:city w:st="on">Harrisburg</st1:city> west to <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Pittsburgh</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">With our emerging ally to the west seemingly switching sides, and a further shift in our state government to the right (a traditionally un-friendly group towards transportation other than the automobile) it’s not looking good for the home team.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Our one bright spot, at this point, is that the money appears to be going back into the pot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will take time to re-receive applications for appropriations and to go through the approval process.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Pennsylvania</st1:state></st1:place> does not have any “shovel ready” projects, perhaps we can use this bought time to advance our cause.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Knowing our state government, I’m not holding my breath, but it’s a chance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-37278829178504210312010-11-17T13:14:00.000-05:002010-11-17T13:14:04.199-05:00It's Done<a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10321/1103993-100.stm">http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10321/1103993-100.stm</a><br />
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Not good, not good at all...East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-26448061056050802372010-11-17T10:42:00.000-05:002010-11-17T10:42:09.124-05:00Bad to Worse<div class="MsoNormal">Everyone knew about the transit cuts coming in March.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First off, it looks like those are a done deal, unless something drastic happens in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Harrisburg</st1:city></st1:place> in the next few days (<a href="http://www.backyardmissionary.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/holding_breath.jpg">I’m not holding my breath)</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now it looks like they are trying to plan ahead for 2012.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the <a href="http://www.attorneygeneral.gov/uploadedImages/corbett.gif">new sheriff in town</a> who has pledged not to raise taxes, no matter what (I’m very interested to see how that is supposed to work given the horrid state of our infrastructure, and massive budget shortfalls).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The Port Authority said it was too early to discuss the scope of a second round of cuts (right now slated for July 2011), but it’s on the horizon unless something changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Depressing, that’s all I can say about this whole situation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the optimism of two years ago, all we hear about are landmark cuts <a href="http://www.pareportcard.org/report_card.html">and the bad news we already knew about</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What is most frustrating is that it’s easy and politically attractive to say cut cut cut spending.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Meanwhile, we are sitting on an infrastructure time bomb that is ticking away.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Further cuts will only cause the timer to speed up, as increased automobile traffic resulting from further transit cuts on the roads of <st1:place w:st="on">Western Pennsylvania</st1:place> will only increase the wear and tear on our already worn out roads and bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-43961394658290209972010-11-16T15:46:00.000-05:002010-11-16T15:46:50.214-05:00AVR Commuter News<div class="MsoNormal">Fisrt things first, I am really going to finish my “expert” analysis of the AVR’s Commuter line, I swear.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">In the meantinme…</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">The AVR Rail proposal has popped up again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The city got a grant for redevelopment or greening of a ribbon of land heading from the Strip through Lawrenceville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Check out the article <a href="http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/10312/1101734-100.stm">here</a>.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">.The total funding was $1.5 million.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It isn’t explicitly stated, but the most of the amount seems to be going to building the greenway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relocating sidings and industries is noted, but that seems to allow for the greenway, not to facilitate commuter rail.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Still, the fact remains that AVR’s commuter service was mentioned hand in hand with this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Questions of funding still remain un-answered, and because there is currently no public money involved, there is no study or project plan available to the public.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">This is all well and good, but again, I see limited value in integrating this into the greenway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not questioning the greenway or the value of building up our transit infrastructure, I am merely questioning the value of AVR’s proposal to making transportation better IN Pittsburgh. A commuter style route to the suburbs is fine for, well, commuters, but not to bring residents to another neighborhood in the city. What you'll most likely end up with is residents of the city using buses, driving or biking to reach this new development when all is said and done. </div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://keeppghmoving.com/">MEANWHILE, DOWNTOWN</a>….</div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5827797106860007616.post-42738053988066956882010-08-20T10:12:00.000-04:002010-08-20T10:12:55.560-04:00The Public Hearing: The Day After<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I won’t rehash the many arguments made at the hearing yesterday. They all have their merits, and each covered a small piece of why public transportation is a PUBLIC SERVICE and is absolutely indispensable if we want our city to remain a great place to live and work. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, I cannot emphasize this point enough: Public Comment is NOT over. Let’s hope the </span><a href="http://www.postgazette.com/pg/10232/1081262-147.stm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">200+ speakers</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> from yesterday’s public hearing is not even the tip of the iceberg. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can mail in your comment to: </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Port Authority Fare & Service Proposals</b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Heinz 57 Center, 345 Sixth Avenue, Floor 3 </b></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana;"><b>Pittsburgh PA 15222-2527</b></span><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For those of you that are more technologically inclined, you can fill out an online submission form </span><a href="http://www.portauthority.org/PAAC/CompanyInfo/Financials/FundingCrisis/PublicComments/tabid/540/Default.aspx"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">. </span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-US;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">If you use public transportation in </span></span><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">Allegheny</span></span></st1:placename><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> </span></span><st1:placetype w:st="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">County</span></span></st1:placetype></st1:place><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">, and enjoy the mobility you have, PLEASE make your voice heard. </span></span></div>East Busway Bloggerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05971408493125826813noreply@blogger.com0