Comments on: Purple Line faces growing opposition, Ervin says http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/ Your neighborhood news source Thu, 14 Jan 2010 22:09:29 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: NoGnusIsGoodGnus http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-2/#comment-19605 NoGnusIsGoodGnus Tue, 28 Oct 2008 20:10:29 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-19605 Since when does Wayne Ave count as a very busy street? Perhaps once it reaches Whole Foods (though that entire area is poorly planned and congested) but the Wayne I know well, from Flower to Fenton, is never terribly crowded. And that seems to be the section where most of the "No Train in My Front Yard" signs are. To be honest, I see myself benefiting from the Purple Line only as a bus substitute. Much of this area is already well-served by bus lines. I imagine if you were looking for a long-haul trip from end-to-end or from College Park to Bethesda it would be useful... Since when does Wayne Ave count as a very busy street? Perhaps once it reaches Whole Foods (though that entire area is poorly planned and congested) but the Wayne I know well, from Flower to Fenton, is never terribly crowded. And that seems to be the section where most of the “No Train in My Front Yard” signs are.

To be honest, I see myself benefiting from the Purple Line only as a bus substitute. Much of this area is already well-served by bus lines. I imagine if you were looking for a long-haul trip from end-to-end or from College Park to Bethesda it would be useful…

]]> By: monorail yes http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-2/#comment-19604 monorail yes Tue, 28 Oct 2008 19:28:34 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-19604 Monorail looks like the smartest option. It has the least impact - only regular posts anchored in the ground to support a slim overhead beam or beams. Monorail trains are practically silent and much more energy efficient than light rail (on the ground) or subway trains, and they are more pleasing to commute on because of the view. Because the only construction on the ground required is the installation of the posts - the construction time for monorail is much shorter than laying all the at-grade track for light rail or tunneling for heavy rail. The beams laying across the posts are prefabricated and simply craned into place and secured. The architecture of the monorail can be designed in an aesthetically pleasing way and will add to the neighborhood - unlike the long term construction site that will be present for the building of the other two train styles. Monorail is also more time effective in the act of moving people than light rail because it does not have to stop at traffic lights. It is also cheaper to maintain and safer. There are many monorail systems in use around the world now. The Purple Line should be monorail. Monorail looks like the smartest option. It has the least impact – only regular posts anchored in the ground to support a slim overhead beam or beams. Monorail trains are practically silent and much more energy efficient than light rail (on the ground) or subway trains, and they are more pleasing to commute on because of the view. Because the only construction on the ground required is the installation of the posts – the construction time for monorail is much shorter than laying all the at-grade track for light rail or tunneling for heavy rail. The beams laying across the posts are prefabricated and simply craned into place and secured. The architecture of the monorail can be designed in an aesthetically pleasing way and will add to the neighborhood – unlike the long term construction site that will be present for the building of the other two train styles. Monorail is also more time effective in the act of moving people than light rail because it does not have to stop at traffic lights. It is also cheaper to maintain and safer. There are many monorail systems in use around the world now. The Purple Line should be monorail.

]]> By: Gerry Higgins http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-2/#comment-10793 Gerry Higgins Wed, 23 Jul 2008 12:09:33 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-10793 The Purple Line is an outdated solution. Given the volume of traffic that now exists on the Capital Beltway, several studies have shown that this would have a minimal impact on traffic congestion, and a major impact on the poorer communities of east Silver Spring and Langley Park. Since a significant portion (about 40%) of the traffic on the outer loop (mornings) and inner loop (evenings) is due to the commuting of federal workers (e.g.,the National Institutes of Health), a solution already exists. Enforce staggered work hours and ride sharing (not voluntary, but mandatory). This would go a great deal further to relieve congestion on the beltway and secondary road commute than will an old, obsolete solution The Purple Line is an outdated solution. Given the volume of traffic that now exists on the Capital Beltway, several studies have shown that this would have a minimal impact on traffic congestion, and a major impact on the poorer communities of east Silver Spring and Langley Park.

Since a significant portion (about 40%) of the traffic on the outer loop (mornings) and inner loop (evenings) is due to the commuting of federal workers (e.g.,the National Institutes of Health), a solution already exists. Enforce staggered work hours and ride sharing (not voluntary, but mandatory). This would go a great deal further to relieve congestion on the beltway and secondary road commute than will an old, obsolete solution

]]> By: David http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-1/#comment-9738 David Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:53:17 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-9738 Luvmyhood, you may know that the MTA's Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Alternatives Analysis is required to compare the environmental impacts of TSM options with the impacts of the various purple line mode and alignment options. The analysis will also compare the travel times and ridership that would be derived from TSM enhancements such as those you describe with projected travel times and ridership associated with different purple line alternatives. It would be nice if people on both sides of the issue would be willing to reconsider their positions based on the empirical information in the AA/DEIS, but I don't think the study will move anyone from the camp they are in. If the AA/DEIS comes out in favor of one of the purple line options (which I predict it will) the supporters will use the information to bolster their cause and odds are the opponents will write off the data, claiming that MTA rigged the numbers to support a pre-determined outcome. If the reverse happens, than supporters will likely seek to come up with alternate data that supports their point of view. I'm in favor of the purple line in theory but am witholding judgement about which, if any, alternative, is worth pursuing until I have a chance to read the AA/DEIS. I just wish that some of the opponents, like luvmyhood, would likewise keep an open mind, rather than rushing to predict doom and gloom in no uncertain terms. Luvmyhood, you may know that the MTA’s Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Alternatives Analysis is required to compare the environmental impacts of TSM options with the impacts of the various purple line mode and alignment options. The analysis will also compare the travel times and ridership that would be derived from TSM enhancements such as those you describe with projected travel times and ridership associated with different purple line alternatives.

It would be nice if people on both sides of the issue would be willing to reconsider their positions based on the empirical information in the AA/DEIS, but I don’t think the study will move anyone from the camp they are in. If the AA/DEIS comes out in favor of one of the purple line options (which I predict it will) the supporters will use the information to bolster their cause and odds are the opponents will write off the data, claiming that MTA rigged the numbers to support a pre-determined outcome. If the reverse happens, than supporters will likely seek to come up with alternate data that supports their point of view.

I’m in favor of the purple line in theory but am witholding judgement about which, if any, alternative, is worth pursuing until I have a chance to read the AA/DEIS.

I just wish that some of the opponents, like luvmyhood, would likewise keep an open mind, rather than rushing to predict doom and gloom in no uncertain terms.

]]> By: WeCanDoBetter http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-1/#comment-9737 WeCanDoBetter Tue, 01 Jul 2008 23:37:04 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-9737 I agree with LuvMyHood, we shouldn't be getting the energy to power the purple line from our coal-driven energy grid. We need to tap other sources of energy to power the purple line. We can power the purple line by placing a few mini-nuclear reactors in East Silver Spring. Better yet, we could place some windmills up and down Wayne Ave. We could also put up a hydro-electric dam at Sligo Creek. How about placing a giant solar panel where the turf is? <em>Editor's note: Play nice, people. -- JD (Jul 2, 2008)</em> I agree with LuvMyHood, we shouldn’t be getting the energy to power the purple line from our coal-driven energy grid. We need to tap other sources of energy to power the purple line. We can power the purple line by placing a few mini-nuclear reactors in East Silver Spring. Better yet, we could place some windmills up and down Wayne Ave. We could also put up a hydro-electric dam at Sligo Creek. How about placing a giant solar panel where the turf is?

Editor’s note: Play nice, people. — JD (Jul 2, 2008)

]]> By: LuvMyHood http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-1/#comment-9736 LuvMyHood Tue, 01 Jul 2008 22:46:11 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-9736 Green, I failed to mention that many, if not most, of the new Metrobuses are the diesel-electric hybrids. Ride-On and The Bus are using similar models. No one said taxis cannot be hybrids. Some Zipcar models are hybrids, too. If NextBus or something similar can work, it can also provide valuable feedback for managing routes efficiently. Remember, the Purple Line would run on electricity from our already-strained grid. And if the coal comes from Va. or Ky, it may well be strip-mined, or even obtained via mountaintop removal. Green, I failed to mention that many, if not most, of the new Metrobuses are the diesel-electric hybrids. Ride-On and The Bus are using similar models.
No one said taxis cannot be hybrids. Some Zipcar models are hybrids, too.
If NextBus or something similar can work, it can also provide valuable feedback for managing routes efficiently.

Remember, the Purple Line would run on electricity from our already-strained grid. And if the coal comes from Va. or Ky, it may well be strip-mined, or even obtained via mountaintop removal.

]]> By: Green http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-1/#comment-9734 Green Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:25:18 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-9734 LuvMyHood - you just suggested putting MORE GAS POWERED VEHICLES on the road to solve our region's traffic problem and global warming!!!!!! LMAO "More regular route buses, like Metrobus, Rid-On, The Bus, More express buses, like the J4 More commuter buses like those MTA already operates A system that works to tell when buses are coming (NextBus was dropped, at least temporarily) More bus shelters Improved taxi system, including neighborhood taxis — especially good for those who are too old or young to drive LuvMyHood – you just suggested putting MORE GAS POWERED VEHICLES on the road to solve our region’s traffic problem and global warming!!!!!! LMAO

“More regular route buses, like Metrobus, Rid-On, The Bus,
More express buses, like the J4
More commuter buses like those MTA already operates
A system that works to tell when buses are coming (NextBus was dropped, at least temporarily)
More bus shelters
Improved taxi system, including neighborhood taxis — especially good for those who are too old or young to drive

]]> By: WeCanDoBetter http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-1/#comment-9733 WeCanDoBetter Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:04:46 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-9733 Putting more buses, cars and taxis on the roads is not the answer. All that is going to do is create more pollution, increase the cost of gasoline and increase the time in traffic. We need to DECREASE the number of vehicles on the road, not increase it. We need the purple line and we need it now! Putting more buses, cars and taxis on the roads is not the answer. All that is going to do is create more pollution, increase the cost of gasoline and increase the time in traffic. We need to DECREASE the number of vehicles on the road, not increase it. We need the purple line and we need it now!

]]> By: LuvMyHood http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-1/#comment-9732 LuvMyHood Tue, 01 Jul 2008 17:59:07 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-9732 Green, since you asked...Transportation System Management, aka TSM, is the answer. It does not involve any one big, expensive thing, so developers don't give $ to politicians to push for it. Here are some aspects: More regular route buses, like Metrobus, Rid-On, The Bus, More express buses, like the J4 More commuter buses like those MTA already operates A system that works to tell when buses are coming (NextBus was dropped, at least temporarily) More bus shelters Improved taxi system, including neighborhood taxis -- especially good for those who are too old or young to drive More car sharing, such as ZipCar -- cuts down on the need for household car ownership More telecommuting options An end to the notion that long hours at work mean more productivity -- how many people drive to work because they fear getting stuck there when working late? Banning Right-Turn on Red in many places Adding more crosswalks, and making them more visible Green, since you asked…Transportation System Management, aka TSM, is the answer. It does not involve any one big, expensive thing, so developers don’t give $ to politicians to push for it. Here are some aspects:
More regular route buses, like Metrobus, Rid-On, The Bus,
More express buses, like the J4
More commuter buses like those MTA already operates
A system that works to tell when buses are coming (NextBus was dropped, at least temporarily)
More bus shelters
Improved taxi system, including neighborhood taxis — especially good for those who are too old or young to drive
More car sharing, such as ZipCar — cuts down on the need for household car ownership
More telecommuting options
An end to the notion that long hours at work mean more productivity — how many people drive to work because they fear getting stuck there when working late?
Banning Right-Turn on Red in many places
Adding more crosswalks, and making them more visible

]]> By: Green http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/comment-page-1/#comment-9731 Green Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:30:17 +0000 http://silverspringpenguin.com/2007/10/23/transportation-31/#comment-9731 LuvMyHood- Instead of criticizing everything, please give examples of how the DC region can help get cars off our already congested roads and improve public transportation to help combat global warming. <em>Editor's note: This comment was edited for content. -- JD (Jul 1, 2008)</em> LuvMyHood- Instead of criticizing everything, please give examples of how the DC region can help get cars off our already congested roads and improve public transportation to help combat global warming.

Editor’s note: This comment was edited for content. — JD (Jul 1, 2008)

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