<html><body style="word-wrap: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space; "><div><br></div><div>Hi Lulu,<div><br></div><div>Glad that you communicated some of your experience with streetcars & electric buses -- the very complex rapid transit initiative project requires as many good minds as possible. Sorry for the delay, but I had to wait until I had time for a hopefully somewhat thoughtful response. Fundamental to my reply is the favouring of slower "old school" research & consultation over "new school" quick internet position formation. And declaring something (as true) does not make it true, e.g. "The concept of "WIRES" or "rails" is not needed for electric mass transit today. That's old school. ...". (As I indicate below, wireless green buses are best suited for</div><div>cross interconnection with Streetcar-style LRT -- initially BRT for C -- in the W-K-C corridor.)</div><div><br></div><div>I certainly prefer Electric Trolley Buses over the directly polluting diesel, gasoline & and natural gas buses. They are cheaper than hybrid buses and currently much, much cheaper than fuel cell electric buses. Also while they have many of the advantages of a Trolley Streetcar (or LRT Streetcar), they do unfortunately have for many people the "bus stigma" -- most environmentalists excepted I hope -- which means much less drawing power than LRT. (Too many "other-directed" people [see work of sociologist David Riesman, e.g <a href="http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/503294/David-Riesman">http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/503294/David-Riesman</a>] fear being loosing a few notches on the socio-economic hierarchy. In 1960's Montreal a somewhat forward thinking woman suggested that losers use the bus but the commuter train was</div><div>just fine.)</div><div><br></div><div>So for at least psycho-social reasons, LRT has much more drawing power than all of its bus competitors. Not unrelated, LRT routing can be planned to be mostly off-road (scarce road space preservation), have fewer stops, and integrate with just-in-time cross-linking buses -- this translates into significant time savings. Some new articulated (& much lower-priced to buy/operate) LRT's are designed to be lighter, faster stopping, greater accelerating and have higher but stable top speeds. All this -- and more -- means a much better return on investment including a greater contribution to stablizing climate. (See <a href="http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_brt_2006-08a.htm">http://www.lightrailnow.org/facts/fa_brt_2006-08a.htm</a> and explore in depth to great advantage <a href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/">http://hamiltonlightrail.com/</a> displayed partly below.)</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><b>"... bus can take detours when there is an accident, streetcars and light rails can't."</b></div><div>Just like in Toronto where trolley street cars running on streets can often divert around road accidents using links to parallel streets, increasing future LRT demand may lead to the use of (linked?) parallel streets/'rail rights of way' (such as Park St. &/or Iron Horse Trail &/or the current rail line that would allow accident-sites on King St. to be temporarily avoided). Also, dedicated rail corridors both on & off streets will mean road less involvement/effects re. accidents. </div><div><br></div><div>Once stable cross-linking-to-LRT bus routes are established, I would like to see Trolley Buses so considered for gradual implementation. (See <a href="http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:X1dIQ9ZBaBUJ:www.newflyer.com/index/trolley+Flyer+trolley+bus&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca">http://74.125.95.132/search?q=cache:X1dIQ9ZBaBUJ:www.newflyer.com/index/trolley+Flyer+trolley+bus&cd=2&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=ca</a> 0). However, hydrogen combustion or hydrogen (or methane) fuel cell electric buses may be the more desirable future use. And the fact of connecting with the more popular LRT will likely increase the bus use (People can say to their peers, "I'm using the bus just to connect with the LRT." And they will likely look forward to the more comfortable and pleasant LRT ride.)</div><div><br></div><div>I am working on a possible Pro-LRT newspaper article which I hope to complete in the near</div><div>future once I am satisfied that my field-based & consultative research has yielded sufficiently viable ideas. I sense that I am close to that point. (I very much appreciate the</div><div>advice of 2 GREN members on how to best write such an article -- not to mention the politicians, staff and other citizens who given generousy of their time over 2 years.)</div><div><br></div><div>Best wishes,</div><div>Robert</div><div><br></div><div>Here is likely why John Shortreed (affectionately called Dr. Bus) some weeks ago, out of the blue, suggested that a relatively-slow Portland-style streetcar connecting the downtowns of</div><div>K & W might be a good idea -- despite KW being a much different context & challenge! <a href="http://www.portlandstreetcar.org/pdf/development_200804_report.pdf">http://www.portlandstreetcar.org/pdf/development_200804_report.pdf</a></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div></div><br><div><div>On 12-Nov-09, at 8:33 AM, Louisette Lanteigne wrote:</div><br class="Apple-interchange-newline"><blockquote type="cite"><table cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" border="0" style="position: static; z-index: auto; "><tbody><tr><td valign="top" style="font: inherit;"><div>Hi folks</div> <div> </div> <div>I lived car free in Toronto for 7 years so when it comes to subways and streetcars, I've been there done that. The nice thing about streetcars was the frequency. I was lucky enough to live by stops that had 10-15 minute intervals. For me it's about warmth in the winter. If the wait is reasonable, I'll take it. </div> <div> </div> <div>If I has a preference between streetcars or electric bus, I'd pick the bus hands down because bus can take detours when there is an accident, streetcars and light rails can't. I've been in issues where I had to hop off the streetcar so we could take the bus to go around whatever mess was blocking the road ahead. Electric buses, a whole fleet of them. are on the roads already all around the world. Check it out. The concept of "WIRES" or "rails" is not needed for electric mass transit today. That's old school. When it comes to ridership, it's FREQUENCY and accessiblity that's the key and the bus needs no road major grading mods at all. </div> <div> </div> <div>Lulu<br><br>--- On <b>Thu, 11/12/09, Robert Milligan <i><<a href="mailto:mill@continuum.org">mill@continuum.org</a>></i></b> wrote:<br></div> <blockquote style="BORDER-LEFT: rgb(16,16,255) 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px"><br>From: Robert Milligan <<a href="mailto:mill@continuum.org">mill@continuum.org</a>><br>Subject: [All] A Rapid Streetcar Form of Light Rail ?<br>To: "* GREN" <<a href="mailto:all@gren.ca">all@gren.ca</a>><br>Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 2:52 AM<br><br> <div id="yiv997955985"> <div>Hi All,</div> <div><br></div> <div> <div>"<span style="LINE-HEIGHT: 14px" class="Apple-style-span">The rapid streetcar concept takes the same features of light rail - speed, attractiveness, permanent tracks which draw large private investment and dedicated lanes - but uses slightly smaller vehicles and doesn't require massive relocation of underground services due to the lighter vehicles.<span style="LINE-HEIGHT: normal" class="Apple-style-span">" (See</span></span></div> <div>below inclusion)</div> <div><br></div> <div>This looks interesting as a possible way to lower costs, maintain performance, increase stop frequency & quiet critics?</div> <div><br></div> <div>Robert</div> <div><br></div> <div>PS: This is from a recent email (slightly improved) that I sent to GREN about T4ST.</div> <div><br></div> <div>"... Susan (Koswan) recently wrote an op-ed pro light rail article because most members support it. However, the complexity of LRT suggests likely room for improvement in our position. Because the larger community may have some unique LRT insights, it is to GREN's advantage to solicit & hear all criticisms and ideas. Especially when some of their concerns appear to be valid -- or a large # of people think they are -- then they should be given serious consideration. Unaddressed angry "taxpayers" can be very disruptive of necessary social & environmental advancement -- as the "tea baggers" in the US demonstrate.</div> <div><br></div> <div>As my previous email on Light Rail said, I agree with members of T4ST -- most of whom will likely never use any form of transit unless they lose their job &/or have to work in the GTA -- who say that Light Rail as currently designed can cause some "grave problems". However, I differ with their implied exaggerated conception of a "grave problem". For example, their co-chair has a business on King St. between the K&W downtowns. His "grave problem" is that taxpayers -- including he, his wife & their clients -- will be inconvenienced by the new equivalent one-wayness of King street & a raised track. To me this is a very minor sacrifice that some taxpayer-drivers will be asked to make for the sake of LRT speed & safety (exclusive car dominance has existed for too long). ...</div> <div><br></div> <div>A "grave problem" for me would be for foresightless planning to make -- on key arteries -- unnecessarily decreases in road capacity (King: 4 lanes to 2) or necessary road capacity increases difficult (Ottawa: 2 lanes to 4). And this with new environmentally-neutral car propulsion systems & growing core-populations! Being more future-sensitive, we will need all the road space we can muster in order to avoid developing local traffic jams (making this area less desirable to live -- with attendant property value decreases [but resulting lower property taxes?] -- & visit). A very successful LRT will both attract more higher-level people as users but also not anger drivers in their green vehicles from transit-caused insufficient road capacity. Then we will better signify to the World that Waterloo Region has arrived as a modern municipal player on the World Stage. (I agree with T4ST on 1 thing though: using the name Golden Triangle.)</div> <div><br></div> <div>This group certainly merits watching especially as they want to have a Rapid Transit referendum as part of the 2010 municipal elections. Maybe we should invite them to address GREN? Try to attend their meeting this evening & speak your thoughts."</div> <div> <div><br></div> <div><br></div> <div> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12px"><br></div> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12px"><br></div> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12px"><a href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/">http://hamiltonlightrail.com/</a></div> <div style="TEXT-ALIGN: left; FONT-FAMILY: Helvetica; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 12px"><br></div> <div style="WIDTH: 800px; MARGIN-LEFT: auto; MARGIN-RIGHT: auto" id="bodycontainer"> <h1 style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://hamiltonlightrail.com/images/hamilton_light_rail_new.gif); PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(0,0,51); MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 400px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; BACKGROUND-REPEAT: no-repeat; BACKGROUND-POSITION: 0% 50%; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 32px; PADDING-TOP: 0px"><a style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 400px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 32px; COLOR: rgb(207,180,39); TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 0px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"><span style="TEXT-ALIGN: right; WIDTH: 400px; FONT-SIZE: 1px; VERTICAL-ALIGN: bottom">Hamilton Light Rail</span></a></h1> <form style="TEXT-ALIGN: right; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px !important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(0,0,51); MARGIN: 2px 0px 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px !important; WIDTH: 180px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px !important; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 32px; FONT-SIZE: 80%; PADDING-TOP: 0px !important" id="search_form" method="get" name="search_form" action="http://www.google.com/search" target="_blank"><input style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px !important; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px !important; WIDTH: 60px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px !important; PADDING-TOP: 0px !important" id="search_q" maxlength="255" name="q"><input style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px !important; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(51,51,103); MARGIN: 0px 0px 0px 6px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px !important; WIDTH: 60px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px !important; COLOR: white; PADDING-TOP: 0px !important" id="search_btng" value="Search" type="submit" name="btng"></form> <div style="BACKGROUND-IMAGE: url(http://hamiltonlightrail.com/images/header_small_new.gif); BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(207,180,39); MARGIN-TOP: 8px; HEIGHT: 82px; COLOR: rgb(207,180,39); CLEAR: both; FONT-SIZE: 1px" id="main_graphic_small">Light Rail. 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FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/update_coming_from_city_for_planned_rapid_transit_neighbours/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Update coming from city for planned rapid transit neighbours</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/variability_in_light_rail_costs_per_kilometre/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Variability in Light Rail Costs Per Kilometre</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/why_developers_like_light_rail/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why Developers Like Light Rail</a></li></ul></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: center; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 113px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/resources/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Resources</a> <ul style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LIST-STYLE-TYPE: none; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 154px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px"> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/an_economic_case_for_light_rail/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">An Economic Case for Light Rail</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/eight_reasons_everyone_should_support_light_rail/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eight Reasons Everyone Should Support Light Rail</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/hlr_presentation_video/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">HLR Presentation Video</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/light_rail_and_downtown_revitalization/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Light Rail and Downtown Revitalization</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/light_rail_presentation/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Light Rail Presentation</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/light_rail_quotes/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Light Rail Quotes</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/lrt_endorsements/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LRT Endorsements</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/presentation_the_case_for_lrt_made_in_hamilton__draft/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Presentation: The Case for LRT Made in Hamilton - DRAFT</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/published_light_rail_reports/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Published Light Rail Reports</a></li></ul></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: center; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 113px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/publications/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Publications</a> <ul style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 0px; LIST-STYLE-TYPE: none; MARGIN: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 154px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-TOP: 0px"> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/economic_case_for_lrt/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Economic Case for LRT</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/the_case_for_lrt_made_in_hamilton__draft/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Case for LRT "Made in Hamilton" - DRAFT</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: left; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 153px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; FONT-SIZE: 80%; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/why_everyone_should_support_light_rail/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Why Everyone Should Support Light Rail</a></li></ul></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: center; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 113px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/join/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sign Up</a></li> <li style="WIDTH: 114px; FLOAT: left"><a style="BORDER-BOTTOM: white 1px solid; TEXT-ALIGN: center; BORDER-LEFT: white 1px solid; PADDING-BOTTOM: 2px; BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(204,204,204); PADDING-LEFT: 0px; WIDTH: 113px; PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; DISPLAY: block; BORDER-TOP-WIDTH: 0px; COLOR: black; BORDER-RIGHT: white 1px solid; TEXT-DECORATION: none; PADDING-TOP: 2px" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/member/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Log In</a></li></ul></div> <div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: rgb(238,238,238); MARGIN-TOP: 28px" id="main_area"> <div style="PADDING-BOTTOM: 12px; LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2em; BACKGROUND-COLOR: white; MIN-HEIGHT: 822px; PADDING-LEFT: 12px; WIDTH: 574px; PADDING-RIGHT: 12px; PADDING-TOP: 12px" id="content_area"> <div style="BACKGROUND-COLOR: white; WIDTH: 1px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 822px" id="content_prop"></div> <h3 style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2em; MARGIN: 0px 0px 8px; LETTER-SPACING: 1px; COLOR: rgb(207,200,50); FONT-SIZE: 2em">Getting On the Right Track</h3> <div style="FONT-STYLE: italic; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; FONT-FAMILY: georgia, garamond, 'times new roman', serif; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 0px; FONT-SIZE: 90%">We can learn from Toronto and other cities and develop the right system for our city without the obstacles and negative side effects being incorporated.</div><p style="MARGIN-TOP: 0.5em; FONT-FAMILY: georgia, garamond, 'times new roman', serif; FONT-SIZE: 90%" id="byline">By Jason Leach</p></div><p class="initial"> <cite>Toronto Star</cite> article discusses the <a style="COLOR: blue; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.thestar.com/News/article/193046" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ongoing battle in Toronto</a> over dedicated streetcar lanes and their impact on neighbourhoods.</p></div> <div>Our proposal for a <a style="COLOR: blue; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/plan_streetcars_on_main_st" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">streetcar line from McMaster to Eastgate</a> is affordable and efficient, and will have a great impact on surrounding neighbourhoods. Here's why:</div> <h4 style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2em; COLOR: rgb(207,200,50); FONT-SIZE: 1.3em">1. Cost</h4><p class="initial"> 'rapid streetcar' using <a style="COLOR: blue; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.lightrailnow.org/features/f_lrt_2007-02a.htm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">modern streetcar vehicles</a> is much cheaper to build than a full LRT system. Toronto is proposing an LRT system, which, of course, is much cheaper than a subway.</p></div> <div>The rapid streetcar concept takes the same features of light rail - speed, attractiveness, permanent tracks which draw large private investment and dedicated lanes - but uses slightly smaller vehicles and doesn't require massive relocation of underground services due to the lighter vehicles.</div> <h4 style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2em; COLOR: rgb(207,200,50); FONT-SIZE: 1.3em">2. Dedicated lanes, not Walls, Curbs and Obstacles</h4><p class="initial"> rapid streetcar plan such as the one proposed to run both ways on Main Street would see streetcars in their own lane, but would still allow cars to make left turns at most streets and cross the tracks easily and safely. The raised curbs that are a feature of Toronto's streetcar lanes are rather clumsy obstacles for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.</p></div> <div>In Portland or most European cities with modern streetcars it is common to see street parking on the "other side" of the tracks against the curb as well as pedestrians crossing the tracks with their groceries or cyclists crossing the tracks as necessary.</div> <div>Obviously the train has the right of way, but we aren't talking about a bullet train speeding along killing people. Streetcars are designed to fit perfectly in the urban environment, not act as obstacles.</div> <div>Streetcars blend into the cityscape. Feel like jaywalking, crossing the tracks on your bike or dropping someone off? Make sure no train is coming and go for it.</div> <div><br class="webkit-block-placeholder"></div> <div>See more photos at <a style="COLOR: blue; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://www.urbanplanet.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t103.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Urbanplanet</a>.</div> <div>Note - the above photos from Portland show a streetcar that uses the same lanes as cars. Regardless, a double solid yellow line and signage would allow the same design to be used with a system using dedicated lanes. No curbs required.</div> <h4 style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2em; COLOR: rgb(207,200,50); FONT-SIZE: 1.3em">3. Neighbourhood/Retail Impact</h4><p class="initial">et's be brutally honest here. Main street is a shell of what it used to be and what it could be. In Toronto, some shopkeepers feel that the high curbs in the middle of the road and lack of parking have resulted in bad news for business in areas like Spadina that have always seemed to boom.</p></div> <div>In Hamilton, five-lane freeways, tiny sidewalks and timed lights <a style="COLOR: blue; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/019/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">have killed</a> once-bustling retail streets. We have parking coming <a style="COLOR: blue; FONT-WEIGHT: bold; TEXT-DECORATION: underline" href="http://hamiltonlightrail.com/article/498/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">out of our backsides</a>, but few customers and many less shops than there should be. </div> <div>Rapid streetcars would slow down the vehicle traffic on Main. Curb parking would be retained on the south curb along its entire length and folks could easily turn onto and off of side streets to find more parking.</div> <div>More importantly, people and businesses would begin to show up in large numbers as a result of the streetcar line. The line shown in Portland in the photos above has seen $1.5 billion in private investment within a five minute walk of the tracks since opening.</div> <div>Hamilton's east/west corridor has many underused lots and buildings. A streetcar along with a more pedestrian-friendly environment (think trees and benches along the entire corridor) would revitalize neighbourhoods that have been ignored for too long.</div> <div>LRT spaces stops apart quite far. A rapid streetcar would take a medium approach, having stops spaced out further than a typical bus route, but not as great a distance as with LRT.</div> <h4 style="LINE-HEIGHT: 1.2em; COLOR: rgb(207,200,50); FONT-SIZE: 1.3em">4. Transportation Options</h4><p class="initial">ven though walking or cycling aren't directly mentioned as a benefit of a rapid streetcar, they are natural byproducts of this project. Right now people have one realistic option for traversing Main Street - their car. Streetcars still allow for two eastbound vehicle lanes, but having lights controlled for the streetcars instead of autos would make it quicker to get from downtown to Eastgate or Eastgate to Mac in the streetcar.</p></div> <div>Furthermore, balancing the transportation modes on Main Street would automatically result in more cyclists and pedestrians. Cyclists would feel safer to ride their bikes on a normal city street whereas right now Main Street is not much different than the QEW. More shops, condos, restaurants and streetcar users means more people getting on and off trains, running errands, going out for coffee or just walking the dog.</div> <div>Main Street would start to look like a proper, urban street once again. Public art, benches, trees, flowers, patios and sidewalk displays would turn an empty, concrete canyon into a wonderful street for local residents and visitors.</div> <div>Hamilton is establishing a rapid transit office at city hall. I strongly urge those involved in the Transit Steering Committee and in this new transit office to research the modern/rapid streetcar concept. Bus Rapid Transit will be well-used east/west along the Mountain and various north/south routes such as Centennial/Hwy 20.</div> <div>Our urban east/west corridor is the most logical place for a modern streetcar system. The financial benefits would be incredible and the impact on Hamilton's economy would be fantastic.</div> <div>We can learn from Toronto and other cities and develop the right system for our city without the obstacles and negative side effects being incorporated. Hamilton's future is in the tracks.</div></div><br>-----Inline Attachment Follows-----<br><br> <div class="plainMail">_______________________________________________<br>All mailing list<br><a href="http://ca.mc883.mail.yahoo.com/mc/compose?to=All@gren.ca" ymailto="mailto:All@gren.ca">All@gren.ca</a><br><a href="http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca" target="_blank">http://gren.ca/mailman/listinfo/all_gren.ca</a><br></div></blockquote></td></tr></tbody></table></blockquote></div><br></body></html>