[All] Burrett's Irrational LRT-hate Relationship

[Robert Milligan]

Hi All,

Today two lighting bolts from the same nuclear energy-loving and bus- 
loving source struck Waterloo Region. Retired Energy Auditor (Greatest  
Wish: a nuclear-powered bus) George Burrett (M.E.S York) -- he did my  
house 10+ years ago -- had similar letters-to-the-editor published in  
the WR Record and the Cambridge Times:

Buses preferred
http://news.therecord.com/article/773427

Don't miss the bus on smarter transit plan
http://www.cambridgetimes.ca/opinion/letters/article/870888--don-t-miss-the-bus-on-smarter-transit-plan


I wrote this for the CT's User Comments -- but it could apply to both:

"George Burrett has great rhetoric obviously based on no significant  
research on the our LRT situation -- I have now invested 4000+ hours.  
Yes I too am angry that: Cambridge was left out, the LRT costs too  
much, intensification means mostly a "Kitchener construction project",  
it will not go fast enough to attract the middle class out of their  
cars, ... . That is why I have developed a more cost-effictive LRT  
system design that: includes Cambridge with terminals at Ainslie(C)  
and Northfield(W); uses this rail right-of-way to create sufficient  
length and speed so as to attract the middle class; shares tracks,  
bridges, underpass, ...; uses single tracks on the road  
intensification corridors with passing at some stops; uses Intelligent  
Transportation System technology to enable the 2 previous; these  
Intensification Corridors are more slowly staged because of less  
Provincial money for it; uses UltraBattery or a hydrogen combustion  
engine to save energy and electrifications costs; etc. LRT project  
success demands new technological IDEAS not just smooth but ill- 
founded criticism! I predict that George Burrett will eat crow, then  
enjoy riding our our new integrated LRT/bus system! Ler's drink to an  
inclusive & sustainablizing LRT/bus system."

George does not seem to realize that in a "transitional period" to a  
more frugal society, it is LRT -- if appropriately designed -- that  
is: the more conserving of our increasing scarce road space; can more  
efficiently use (renewable) energy as rails produce much less friction  
than roads; has much greater capacity to move more passengers faster;  
uses fewer drivers per passenger; .. . And such an LRT system design  
would likely attract enough people from their cars to cover operating  
costs.

The two greatest scourges of accurate perception and constructive  
thinking can be excessive bias and extreme ideology. I am grateful  
that George does not seem to have manifested the latter scourge.

Robert
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