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Jul 21, 2010
Analysis

The Topography of Traffic

Far too often people talk about cable as a convenient technology for tackling topographical challenges. But that’s where it ends. It’s a niche technology, they claim, nothing more. In other words: Cable’s ability to avoid physical obstacles is used as an argument against it. How much sense does that make? The great irony is that...

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Jul 20, 2010
Personal Rapid Transit, Thoughts

Lowered Expectations

If you’re expecting to see urban gondolas and cable propelled transit systems zipping through you city any time soon, I’m here to tell you something: You’re wrong. Sorry to disappoint you. Sure, with the right political will and visionary planners, there will be successes here and there, but things won’t change overnight. Things just don’t...

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Jul 19, 2010
Thoughts

The Theory of Thunder & The Rational Comprehensive Model

When I was a child I had a marvelous theory about thunder storms: Rain was held by clouds and thunder often accompanied rain. Thunder sounded like a loud explosion and explosions destroyed things. And since after it rained, no clouds could be seen, then thunder must be the sound of clouds exploding! In my mind, I...

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Jul 18, 2010
Sunday Statshot

Sunday Morning Statshot

Percent of energy the global industrial food system accounts for in worldwide fuel consumption: 21% Average distance an ingredient in a meal in the US is grown away from home: 1500 miles Number of new car and truck dealers in 2006: 22000 Number of new car and truck dealers in 2010: 18000 Miles of paved road in US:...

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Jul 17, 2010
Bus, Light Rail & Streetcars

Taken For A Ride

Taken For A Ride is a documentary first broadcast on PBS in 1996. It tells the story of how a consortium led by General Motors, Firestone Tires and Standard Oil systematically worked to uproot the American streetcar network and replace it with roads, buses and private automobiles. The short hand for this incident is the...

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Jul 16, 2010
Oakland Airport Connector

Oakland Airport Connector Back From The Dead

This is getting absurd: In December of 2009, Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) announced that the Oakland Airport Connector would be a cable-propelled transit system. This was a major victory for cable as the bids pitted cable technology provided by Poma and Doppelmayr against standard self-propelled technologies provided by Bombardier and Mitsubishi. That cable came...

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Jul 15, 2010
Thoughts

Attendants Not Operators

It’s cheap and easy politics to blame the “lazy” unions; that drivers should be doing more than they already are. Frankly speaking, I don’t want my transit drivers doing more. I want them doing less. If my life is in their hands, I don’t want them dealing with transfers, tickets or irate customers. I want...

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Jul 14, 2010
Uncategorized

Vacation

Just so everyone knows, I’m on vacation for the next week. I’m going to try to answer questions, comment and continue to post. Internet access is, however, very intermittent so please bear with me. Instead, it would be great if you all could answer/address each other’s questions.

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Jul 14, 2010
Questions, Uncategorized

Sydney, Absurdity & Queues

Colin writes: I’ve been following your blog for a little while, and although my immediate impression was that the idea was absurd, that quickly morphed into “well why why hell not?” I’ve been a skiier/snowboarder for almost 35 years, and have ridden a lot of gondolas. One question I have is to do with queue control. I’ve found that...

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Jul 13, 2010
Thoughts, Uncategorized

Never Meant To Be

Ski lifts were never meant to be used as public transit. So what? Locomotives were never meant to be used underground. Wood was never meant to be used as lumber. Pipe cleaners were never meant to be used for arts and crafts. Cows were never meant to be used as beef. Spaceships were never meant...

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