Category Archives: Public Transport

High Speed Rail in the US – Part I

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Artist Depiction of US High-Speed Rail System

Artist Depiction of US High-Speed Rail System

The future of intercity travel in the US is no longer going to be by car, bus, or perhaps even planes.  The railroad industry is making a comeback from its depression over the decades.  High-speed rail is the way to go because it is the most efficient way in moving people from point A to point B.  High speed rail will be the new interstate system, but we just don’t know when as it keeps facing many hurdles.

There have been many plans across the country to implement high-speed rail in a few states.  California is the leading contender in the fight to make high-speed rail exist with speeds as high as 220 mph.  California has approved initial segments so far and is under construction.  More information regarding California’s high-speed rail can be found on their site.  Florida was another big contender, but their project was cancelled due to an unwillingness to fund the project through taxpayer money.  However there is a private company that is willing to pick up the slack.

There are so many benefits of high speed rail.  It provides thousands of much needed jobs; reduces green house emissions; and it’s cheaper, faster and more convenient travel that will connect to local public transportation.  This will also provide much needed competition in the airline industry for some major intercity travel corridors.  In California’s case that will be between San Franciso and Los Angeles or Los Angeles and Las Vegas, NV.

Why is high speed rail such a contentious issue right now?  Republicans are almost unanimously against any high-speed rail proposal because of our deficit problem.  This makes a national rail system unlikely this decade in my opinion unless there are innovative ways to fund it.  An artist’s rendition of the US High-Speed Rail is seen above.  One day I hope it will come to fruition.  More on this subject is coming soon.

MTA Subway Time App

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The Metropolitan Transportation Authority of New York City has unveiled a new Iphone App.  This App gives you real-time train arrival information for selected routes of the New York City subway system.  Knowing exactly when your train will arrive will reduce the time you spend waiting on the subway platform, and let you know of any service delays or reroutes before you pay a fare.  It was released on September 28, 2012.

There is one catch with the app though, it only operates for seven lines; the 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and the 42nd street shuttle.  The L Line will be added within year.  Nevertheless, that is only a fraction of the system making this app useless for most people.  NYC Transit President Tom Predergast said riders using the “lettered lines” will have to wait for their lines to be added to the app.  use signaling technology that “remains little changed since a time before computers, microprocessors, wireless telephones or handheld electronic devices.” He said the system works to prevent collisions “but it cannot offer us a digital feed.”

Who knows what day that will be when all train lines are included in this app?  It’s going to be a while because it’s all about the money.  However, it is nice to use for those seven lines right now.  I have used it and waited in a cafe until I had two minutes to catch the 5 train.

Source: http://transportationnation.org/2012/12/28/some-nyc-riders-can-now-use-phones-for-real-time-subway-arrival-times/

New Hudson River Crossing in New York City? Part II

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Many proposals in the last half decade have been dreamed and/or stopped dead in its tracks to construct a new Hudson River crossing connecting Manhattan and New Jersey.  One of them is the ARC Tunnel which was cancelled by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in 2010 because of its spiraling out of control costs.  Subsequently, Mayor Bloomberg of New York City silently instructed municipal staff to begin studying the possibility of stretching the city’s subway system into the state across the Hudson River.

The 7 Train was the prime candidate in this proposal.  It would be extended about four miles westward to Secaucus Junction where a major hub for NJ Transit trains already exists.  With an estimated cost of $5.3 billion, this is almost half the cost of the cancelled ARC Tunnel proposal of $11 billion.  The explanation for this is that there are already existing tunnels that the 7 Line runs through in Manhattan that this new Hudson River tunnel would connect to; the ARC Tunnel did not have this advantage as major tunneling would have to be done underneath the streets of Manhattan.

The conception of this new plan is unique because it would be the first subway to go outside New York City’s borders.  It would connect New Jersians to Times Square, and Grand Central Terminal, both major train hubs.  This plan is brilliant because it costs half as much and would relieve congestion on existing Amtrak, NJ Transit and PATH trains.  It would provide more capacity and spur development of areas in Manhattan and New Jersey it runs through.

Extending the 7 Line across the Hudson River to New Jersey should be high priority for the two states.  It is widely known that we need to build additional crossings from Manhattan to New Jersey and when there is something available at a bargain compared to other proposals, we should take it.

Map of the Proposed 7 Train Extension

Source: http://www.thetransportpolitic.com/2010/11/17/to-replace-the-arc-tunnel-a-subway-extension-to-new-jersey/

Source: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/17/nyregion/17tunnel.html?_r=1&hp

Transportation State of Emergency

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Flooded entrance of the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel

The New York governor declared an unprecedented transportation state of emergency forthe downstate New York City area.  This is a result of Hurricane Sandy flooding many automobile and train tunnels.  The hurricane caused a large portion of the NYC subway to close.  This resulted in a colossal amount of people driving to work causing massive gridlock in the center city which created a very dangerous situation.  The governor waived fees for rail, subways, and buses to encourage more people to take public transport.  The following link leads to a video describing the state of New York City and its transportation system.

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/nbc-news/49632950#49632950

Inflatable Plug in a test tunnel.

It is sad to see that New York’s transportation system is crippled by weather.  I understand that it was an unprecedented storm, but I feel that the system should be designed to withstand storms of this magnitude.  What ever happened to the flood gates or other alternatives that were supposed to be installed?  That could have stopped flooding in tunnels as the following link to an article suggests.  This article explains the use of a inflatable plug for tunnels and how could have prevented the disaster in New York City.

http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/31/us/new-york-subway-plugs/index.html

Congestion Pricing

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Congestion Pricing is a very contentious issue in the United States.  Mayor Michael Bloomberg of New York City tried to establish rates for motorists to enter the central business district.  This plan would have decreased traffic congestion, improve quality of lives and make NYC a healthier place, but there was not enough public support to push it through the New York State Assembly.

However, there are many cities around the world that have successfully implemented congestion pricing and has created a better city as a result.  London for example now has it and the revenues that are collected by motorists go directly into public transportation such as trains, buses and bicycling facilities.

There are obvious benefits to congestion pricing like boosting funding for a very limited transportation budget, but how can we change the preconceived notions of people who have been brainwashed to think that the car is the only way to go.  How can we change the preconceived notions of people that think public transit is inconvenient and crowded.  Perhaps if congestion pricing is implemented in cities, the latter question would no longer be a problem.

It is a tough sell to the people, but I believe if it was established in cities in the US, it would decrease congestion, make public transit better and increase the quality of life.  The cost of driving a private vehicle is incredibly cheap, and I believe people should pay for not just the costs at the pump, but a societal cost because it is so detrimental to our environment.

 

High Speed Rail in California Underway

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After clearing many hurdles, the state of California has allowed the selling of $2.6 billion in bonds for construction of the initial 130-mile segment of the bullet train in the Central Valley. It is the first phase of the planned 800-mile in the state.  The total cost of the project that would eventually connect Northern and Southern California is at least $68 billion.
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This is a great example of sustainability in the United States.  Train systems are the most efficient in many ways, typically emitting less carbon and using less fuel per passenger than buses.  This project will encourage some people to stop driving, decreasing emissions and congestion on the I-5 corridor (the only interstate connecting Northern and Southern California).  It will speed up people’s commutes and bring more people together.

High Speed Rail in America has struggled for decades, but now we are finally underway. California is yet again taking initiative in the transportation realm and I look forward to the day the first high speed rail line that can be opened in America; one that can be competitive with Europe’s or Japan’s network.

 

Second Avenue Subway in NYC

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The light blue line is the Second Avenue Subway Line that is now under construction. The faded green line just to the left is the existing line that will be relieved. The yellow line is an existing train line that will expand its service on the northern portion of the Second Avenue Line.

Stopped completely twice due to budgetary problems and taking over 70 years to complete, the Second Avenue Subway Line on the east side of Manhattan is finally coming to fruition.  It is designed to relieve congestion on the Lexington Avenue Line only three avenues to the west and provide more access on the east side.  It will finally be completed in April of 2018.

However, there is something on my mind that bothers me.  The existing line just three avenues west has a four track configuration while the second avenue line has a two track configuration (Refer to Figure 1).  If I want to get uptown or downtown the fastest possible, I am more likely going to take the existing line then the new one because of the express trains.

I do understand that it will provided more access on the east side and that is a great thing for the future growth along the east side.  I only wish that they would have continued with the four track plan that has express stations as originally proposed, but due to the overwhelming cost, it was cancelled.

(http://secondavenuesagas.com/2011/09/27/east-side-access-completion-date-postponed-to-2018/)