• An academic offers another response to the Times‘ piece about a “Superproject Void” (see ours here). He calls attention to the enormous projects the U.S. has undertaken overseas — embassies, military bases, etc. — which drain our resources. (Foreign Policy)
• The fallout has not been mild following two recent pedestrian deaths caused by bicyclists in Philly. Reckless biking is obviously a problem, but there’s still too little disincentive for careless motorists who take the lives of riders. (CityRoom)
• On the 21 Bus Rapid Transit routes in the U.S., ridership increased between 20 and 70 percent over the old systems in the first year of operation. Pretty compelling reason to build more, right? (HeraldNet)[SButtonZ button="digg"]
• One nice thing about allocating stimulus money to transportation projects is that some of them can be started (and completed) relatively quickly. Virginia, Maryland and DC say they have 165 projects totalling $835 million that could be underway by spring — if they can get federal funds to back them. (WaPo)
• A gallery showcases 18 bizarre highways across the world, including one with 48 switchback turns on a 7.4% grade and another that’s 370 miles long and made entirely of ice. (Popular Mechanics – pic via)
• Remember those solar roadways? Well, here’s another foray into heated roads that eliminate the need for salt and snowplows in the winter. Let us know what you think. (New Scientist)
Tags: Bus Rapid Transit, Highways
“On the 21 Bus Rapid Transit routes in the U.S., ridership increased between 20 and 70 percent over the old systems in the first year of operation. Pretty compelling reason to build more, right?”
Absolutely not. In Boston, they built a BRT system where they should have built a light rail system. The route they wanted to the airport was in dire need, so they built the transit line and people started using it. They would have also used it if it was light rail or hard rail. By saying that BRT ridership has increased because of the supposed merits of BRT is a disingenuous statement. Ridership has increased because of the demand for better public transit. The only reason BRT was implemented in Boston, was because the powers that be were too cheap to install a proper rapid transit line.
Brazil’s capital city, Brasilia, was built in the late 1950s, allowing engineers and architects to incorporate large, urban-friendly structures into the highways, which were an important part of the city planning.
Umm… not sure about that.