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Will Stimulus be Enough to Bring High-Speed Rail to America? – A TreeHugger interview ith Andy Kunz

March 1, 2009 at 9:28 pm

(Source: TreeHugger)

shanghai station
Rail station in Shanghai, China (photo via thetransportpolitic.com)

About a year ago, TreeHugger interviewed Andy Kunz, an urban designer, New Urbanist and rail advocate. Kunz laid out a pretty convincing case for high speed rail as the solution for a number of problems facing American transportation, including outdated infrastructure, peak oil (or “energy independence,” depending how you look at it), out of control carbon emissions, and more.

In fact, Kunz said, we were at a fork in the road, and building a new national high-speed rail network was the “single most important action we can do to get us off the oil and change the direction of the nation for the better.” TreeHugger decided to catch up with Andy Kunz for another conversation about rail and high-speed rail in America, now that it seems the idea is finally catching on.

TreeHugger: Andy, a lot has happened since we last spoke about a year ago. The concept of high-speed rail in America, which a year ago was on very few people’s agendas, has now become an almost mainstream idea. Transit ridership is way up all over, and a high-speed rail line has been approved in California. As an advocate for high-speed rail, how have you experienced the events of the past year?

Andy Kunz: With great excitement! It’s really amazing what has changed and how quickly! It’s truly an unbelievable time in the history of America – unfolding as we speak. I am of course very saddened to see the suffering this recession is causing, and it’s unfortunate that we have to go through such a big disaster to change our ways. It would be so much easier and less painful if we just planned these changes during normal times.

Nonetheless, the fact that so many people are discovering rail as a great form of transportation is spectacular! We are entering a new green era that includes green living, green energy, and green transportation. Out of this I see a huge opportunity to fundamentally change America for the better with high quality rail transportation and great walkable communities for everyone.

Click here to read the rest of this interesting interview.

Twitter Weekly Roll for TransportGooru 2009-02-27

February 27, 2009 at 8:00 pm

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ITS South Africa Newsletter – Feb 27, 2009

February 27, 2009 at 11:57 am

 

27 February 2009

Registration for e-Transport Conference now open

The theme for this year’s e-Transport Conference is “Moving People Smartly: Transport Solutions for FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 and Beyond.” The biennial e-Transport Confex is the premier ITS event to network with key decision-makers and ITS professionals and exploit business opportunities in South Africa’s booming ITS market. With a current infrastructure spend of R600 bilion, there are numerous ITS projects in the pipeline.

Most of the exhibition stands have been booked with only a few stands still available. Book now to prevent competing companies from leaving you behind!

These mega infrastructure and transport projects are transforming South Africa transport environment and are attracting huge local and international interest. If you want to be part of this rapidly growing market, explore the sponsorship and exhibition opportunities to raise your profile in the South African ITS Market, this is an opportunity not to miss!

To view the programme, click here.

You are cordially invited to register now. Click here.

For sponsorship and exhibition packages, click here.

For the exhibition floor plan, click here.

For the stand reservation form, click here.

For general information about South Africa, accommodation and airport transfers, click here.

 

ABOUT ITS SOUTH AFRICA
The ITS South Africa ensures that ITS and related organisations are kept up to date with the technology revolution, and allows one to harness the technology and gain the benefit it offers. ITS South Africa is a membership-based organisation. It consists of government bodies and its implementation agencies, manufacturers, suppliers, users and potential users of ITS technology.
Find out more about ITS South Africa by visiting our website at www.itssa.org,
or email us at paul@itssa.org.
Click here to unsubscribe from this newsletter.

A Silver Lining to the Downturn: Less Traffic

February 27, 2009 at 11:41 am

(Source: Wall Street Journal)

For people who still have jobs, there’s finally some relaxing news: new data showing commutes are getting easier.

trafficOn average, Americans spent 13 fewer hours stuck in traffic in 2008 than in 2007, according to an annual road traffic reportreleased Wednesday by Inrix. Inrix collects data on road congestion, in part, from a million vehicles equipped with GPS-enabled devices like cellphones and car navigation systems. Inrix cited volatile fuel prices as one reason for the decline in road travel, along with the economy. Some of the findings from the report:

– Riverside, Calif., with the third-highest level of home foreclosure activity last year, saw the highest drop in traffic congestion.

– Detroit, where unemployment rose about 21%, saw the second largest decrease in congestion, tied with San Diego.

Click here to read the entire article and watch the video of Inrix CEO Bryan Mistele talking about the annual traffic report.

Editorial – A Smart Way to Help Commuters – NYTimes.com

February 27, 2009 at 11:31 am

(via Editorial – A Smart Way to Help Commuters – NYTimes.com)

It’s been clear for months that only Albany could really rescue New York City commuters from the drastic service cuts and major increases in tolls and fares threatened by the deficit-ridden Metropolitan Transportation Authority.

That seemed a hopeless prospect — until this week, when Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, Albany’s most powerful Democrat, announced a compromise plan that could help both the authority and its riders. What is even more encouraging, Mr. Silver is probably the only one in Albany with enough clout to sell such a compromise.

The Silver plan is adapted in part from an excellent proposal outlined last year by Richard Ravitch, the authority’s former chairman. Mr. Ravitch and a commission established to find new ways to finance mass transit proposed two changes: a modest payroll tax for employers in a 12-county area and new tolls on bridges to Manhattan along the Harlem and East Rivers.

Click here to read the entire article.

Obama backs high-speed rail service | CourierPostOnline.com | Courier-Post

February 27, 2009 at 11:24 am

Obama backs high-speed rail service | CourierPostOnline.com | Courier-Post.

President Barack Obama on Thursday proposed setting aside $5 billion over the next five years so states could boost high-speed rail service.

 

States would have to compete for the grants, which would total $1 billion each year beginning in 2010.

The money was part of Obama’s $3.55 trillion budget plan for next year. The White House only released the budget highlights; the detailed spending blueprint is scheduled to be unveiled in April.

The rail money comes on top of $8 billion for high-speed rail in the $787 billion economic stimulus plan Obama signed into law this month

Tax Time: Obama Urged to Raise Gas Taxes to Save Roads

February 27, 2009 at 10:54 am

(Source: Wall Street Journal’s Environmental Capital Blog)

President Obama this week urged the country to boldly confront challenges and take responsibility for the future. Today he was starkly reminded by a Congressionally-appointed commission to do the same when it comes to filling the massive hole in the nation’s transportation budget.

MinnBridge_art_400_20090226091627.jpg
In a report issued today, the National Surface Transportation Infrastructure Financing Commission said that raising gasoline taxes and taxing miles driven instead of gallons are the only viable ways to get the tattered U.S. road and transit system back on track. The Obama administration just shot down both proposals.

The recommendation was two years in the making—the commission’s mix of transport industry veterans, elected officials and think-tankers has been trying to divine how to raise the extra money needed to maintain and improve roads, buses, and trains.

Click here to read the entire article.

Transportation would get $72.5 billion – UPI.com

February 27, 2009 at 10:45 am

 

The Transportation Department also received $48.1 billion in the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act for shovel-ready infrastructure construction projects.

The proposed 2010 budget includes a five-year, $5 billion state grant program for high-speed rail projects, which is above $8 billion set aside for high-speed rail projects in the stimulus package.

State transportation board fires Commissioner Evans

February 27, 2009 at 12:43 am

(Source: Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Governor laments decision

Gena Evans’ short, turbulent career leading the state Department of Transportation came to an abupt end on Thursday as the board voted overwhelmingly to fire her.

Some board members said they wanted her gone because new road projects had been choked. Others spoke of concern over the criticism that the department was ineffective. There were also budget issues and discontent over conflicting priorities within the department.

Pictured: Gena Evans, Picture by: Kimberly Smith / ksmith@ajc.com

But in reality, trouble had been fomenting almost since the day Evans was elected. Controversy tipped into rebellion last week after Gov. Sonny Perdue proposed a plan to gut the DOT board of most of its powers over the state’s $2 billion transportation budget. Evans, 40, who was Perdue’s candidate for commissioner, was perceived at times to be more attentive to the governor’s positions than the board’s.

“Obviously there’s been some criticism that apparently our leadership has been inadequate,” said board member Steve Farrow, who was previously a supporter of Evans but voted for the termination. “And when there’s criticism that your leadership’s been inadequate, I think you need to make a change in the leadership.”

Click here to read the entire article on this controversy in Georgia.

Durban promises to meet 2010 deadline for R1.2bn public-transport programmes

February 27, 2009 at 12:37 am

(Source: Creamer Media’s Engineering News)

All of Durban’s public transport projects, which are being funded by the national government to the tune of R1,2-billion, will be completed by the first quarter of 2010,Carlos Esteves, deputy head of the Road System Management for eThekwini, said ast week. 

The city aims to promote public transport over private transport to make the city more accessible and to ease movement around the city centre for commuters and pedestrians. 

Projects on target for 2010 include additional dedicated public transport lanes, an inner city distribution system, park and ride facilities using existing car parks and buses, upgrades to major intersections, a freeway management system, a closed-circuit television road monitoring system and a traffic call centre. 

Durban’s King Shaka International Airport is expected to start operating in May 2010, just in time for the FIFA World Cup, and a shuttle service will be provided for passengers between the airport and a central transport hub in the city.