Posts by David Alpert — Founder
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Sci-fi coast to coast high speed rail network
Imagine that long-distance, very high speed rail lines (airplane speeds or better) were practical and relatively cheap to build. What might the resulting transit-like intercity service look like? Working on the recent DC fantasy maps reminded me of this map which I created years ago. Here it is, dusted off for your pleasure. Click on the map for a larger version. More… Keep reading…
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Strike two for NoVa transit
The Post’s Get There has a list of the transportation projects in jeopardy now that the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the law authorizing the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority. Between an anti-transit USDOT and a largely anti-transit state legislature, it’s tough to be Northern Virginia. Keep reading…
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Pay-as-you-drive insurance
One obstacle to transit ridership is that cars are mostly a sunk cost. Once you’ve already paid for the car or car loan, registration, insurance, maintenance, etc., the incremental cost of driving the car more is small (though growing, as gas prices rise). The variable costs are also largely hidden: you pay for gas ahead of time, not when you make the drive vs. train decision,… Keep reading…
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“There is not going to be a Quaker Oats Metro station”
Councilmember Jim Graham (rightly) put to rest speculation that DC may rename the Navy Yard Metro station after the corporate sponsor who buys naming rights to the new ballpark. Meanwhile, New York announced plans to rename every station on the 4 and D trains after corporations with all the money going to the Yankees. OK, they didn’t, but if Hank Steinbrenner were to hang out… Keep reading…
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Metro adopts “common sense writ large”
WMATA will now encourage transit-oriented development on its land around Metro stations, instead of just selling it for the money and ignoring land use. By encouraging mixed-use development, it will create more future riders, which is better for Metro and the region. Via Matthew Yglesias (and welcome, Yglesias readers!)… Keep reading…
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14th and U project moving forward
Yesterday, the HPRB approved the general form of the proposed project on the southwest corner of 14th and U. Almost everyone who testified, as well as the HPRB staff and board members, were pleased with the improvements that architect Eric Colbert made to the project since the initial sketches. The rear of the building, away from 14th Street, is 7 stories on the southern end and… Keep reading…
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Parking review part 2: But for spillover, we all agree
In my earlier parking post, I concluded with this key slide from the Nelson\Nygaard presentation that kicked off the zoning review process (at right). The minimums in the zoning code operate on the premise that since some people will drive and park, we need to provide parking. If we don’t, they’ll park on the street, interfering with residents. Therefore, we must require… Keep reading…
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Bryant Park’s restoration
In the 1970s, New York’s Bryant Park in Midtown was called “needle park” for the enormous drug trade in the park. Residents and tourists steered clear. Today, it is a jewel of an urban park, packed with people eating lunch on every nice weekday, jammed for Monday night summer movies, and a pleasant and safe place year round. What changed? Architecture and private… Keep reading…
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Parking review part 1: Parking choices matter
Which kind of city do we want DC to be in the future? Left: 27th and O in Georgetown. Right: 7th and O in Shaw. Driving-oriented versus pedestrian-oriented streets. Source: Nelson\Nygaard presentation Our parking policy decisions decide which city we will be. Keep reading…
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Another regional rail plan
Inspired by the recent spate of transit plans from here and other blogs, Track Twenty-Nine has a Regional Rail plan that includes a tunnel through downtown so commuters can directly access the job centers around Metro Center and Farragut. Keep reading…