October 1, 2009

We're at a crossroads

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By  Alex Roman

• Joel[ October 1st, 2009 @ 12:18pm ]

  I think the delay in reauthorization doesn't bode well for transportation funding. The other issues being discussed such as health care, climate change, energy policies, and Afghanistan will need lots of money, political capital, and just plain human energy. The more the authorization is delayed, the more likely it could come up after the next round of Congressional elections where there is usually a shift away from the party in power. This doesn't absoutlely mean that a Republican Congress would not support funding for transportation. However, the dynamics will have changed by 2010 and the Administration's goals, which are favorable to transit, might not have as much attention as they would if a bill were passed soon.
  
  Having said that, my guess is that most people would probably agree that health care needs to be addressed since transportation can be handled with continuing resolutions, but 13,000 people a day are losing their health care. People can also make a reasonable argument that climate change must be addressed now prior to the international meeting at Copenhagen. In short, as important and vital as transportation systems are to our economy and mobility, it isn't unreasonable to be dealing with the other issues first. Regrettably, as noted above, it is likely to have a negative effect on funding that will be available for transportation, unless the strong case can be made that climate change and energy issues are also effectively addressed through reauthorization.

• tahoevalleylines[ October 2nd, 2009 @ 10:37am ]

  Probably time for individuals across the United States and Hawaii to get Peaking Oil savvy (that hits hard before climate). Sarah Palin can follow along for Alaska, between speaking engagements and book signings... Federal Government financing of transit has dulled thinking processes of politicians at local and state level. Individuals and firms alert to impending energy emergency can see (spv.co.uk) for their respective volume of US Rail Map Atlas from site noted.
  
  Motor Fuel Rationing, per Federal Executive Emergency Order will come as petroleum flow limits & prices cripple trucking & aviation. Railways will be transport mode offering best fuel efficiency, and will need to be vastly expanded in capacity & reach. Dormant rail branchline rehab must be part of the Oil Interregnum Solution Set. Denver ASPO-USA (peak oil study association) meetings Oct 11-13 are called: "Time To Reset', reference to addressing new paradigm for US transport methodology & mode mix.
  
  Pacific Electric, and Chicago, Aurora & Elgin (this one's for you, Rahm Emanuel) operating models are exemplar of new era electric railway local elements. Day passenger, night freight, modernized with renewable energy source and containerization. Policy points at: (peakoil.net) articles 374 & 1037.
  
  Giggles will be easier to choke down with the following read:
  
  http://theoildrum.com/files/Lionel%20Badal%20Dissertation.pdf
  
  Reading Badal's paper and follow-up with footnotes prompts thoughts of railways. China is already on largest rail expansion in history. See CalTrans' '95 Reno/Tahoe 50/80 rail study (unabridged) for example of scoping process.

• Hans Hammarquist[ October 28th, 2009 @ 2:17pm ]

  Knowing that AMTRAC still receive subsidies for a business we all know will never be profitable I don't understand why we haven't started to invest in developing replacement for this now 200 years old, outdated technology. Dr. Anderson, MI and others have show the possibility of transporting people in a lot more "modern" way with PRT systems. There is nothing that stops this technology to be developed into a nation wide transportation system that even from the speed point-of-view could compete with commuter airlines. Let us get together and convince the Congress there are other means that can replace the ever loosing AMTRAC

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