An engineer or planner is likely to argue about statistics and numbers. This can do that, this can’t do that. This will do that, this won’t do that. Problem is, most people aren’t engineers or planners.
Most people don’t have time for numbers and statistics. And who can really blame them?
We live in a time of information overload. No time to check and double-check what one person says against what another person says. At the end of the day, whomever has the better story, wins.
Does it matter that Bus Rapid Transit can do most of the same things that Light Rail Transit can do, but for a lower cost? No. Why? Because people don’t like buses. Or at least, that’s the story they’re told.
Does it matter that crime rates across the western world have been steadily decreasing since the mid-1970’s? No. Why? Because people believe our cities are dens of iniquity swarming with rapists, muggers and murderers and the only way to prevent that is to build bigger and more costly jails. Or at least, that’s the story they’re told.
Does it matter that planes and public transit are overwhelmingly safer than the private automobile? No. Why? Because people like to think that because they’re in control of their own car, they are somehow in control of their own fate. Or at least that’s the story they’re told.
Transit planners, transit engineers and the cable transit industry can argue numbers and statistics all they want, but it probably won’t do a whole lot of anything. After all, lying with numbers is easy and there are no shortage of individuals willing to manipulate those numbers to serve their own end.
That’s not to suggest you should stoop to those levels. Just because lying with numbers is easy, doesn’t mean it’s right. Instead, it’s to suggest that your (sound and ethical) numbers should be evidence in support of a greater narrative. Narratives win people over, numbers don’t. If your narrative catches people’s attention, then you’ve got your numbers to back you up.
Use your numbers as reinforcements, not your primary means of attack.