Transportation
Greater Greater Washington writes about how people get around the Washington region, whether on Metro, buses, streetcars, driving, walking, biking, or any other method.
One of the region’s strengths is the wide range of options for travel. There are many walkable places in DC, Maryland, and Virginia where people could choose transit, walk or bike, or if they don’t have their own car, grab a shared vehicle or hail a ride. This reduces the need to own cars, saving people money and reducing traffic congestion.
As our region grows, it is imperative to continue to make these options safe, economical, and available to even more people. It is imperative to ensure safe sidewalks and bicycle infrastructure, expand transit options, and add housing near existing transit stations.
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Don’t start dancing yet, Georgetown: Barnes Dance not always the answer
DDOT is installing a Barnes Dance at 7th and H Streets, NW, an intersection with particularly high pedestrian volume. Georgetown Metropolitan suggested one at Wisconsin and M. Should DC spread these far and wide? Not so fast. A Barnes Dance, also known as a pedestrian scramble, can improve pedestrian safety. But, as with most changes, there are tradeoffs. With all the turns at… Keep reading…
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Barnes Dance debuts
At 10 am today, DDOT’s new Barnes Dance at 7th and H Streets NW in Chinatown went live. Unlike a traditional Barnes Dance, this configuration allows pedestrians to cross during the Barnes Dance (all-pedestrian) cycle and during each street’s green cycle. Keep reading…
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MetroAccess cuts remain
While many transit advocates breathed a collective sigh of relief when they learned that WMATA Interim General Manager Sarles’ FY2011 proposed operating budget included far fewer service cuts than were originally outlined in former General Manager Catoe’s proposed budget, several significant service cuts remain, including cuts to MetroAccess. Here is what… Keep reading…
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What do Metro employees really make?
WMATA provided data about employee salaries, bonuses, overtime and benefits for fiscal year 2009. Is the $100,000 bus driver a myth, or reality? Does Metro depend on a lot of overtime? Are bonuses incredibly high, or used primarily as a symbolic recognition of a job well done? Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Bikes, cars, hate and crime
Parking dispute turns into arrow shooting; Charges coming for Oxon Hill crash; Bike hate in the B’s; Private trolleys once again?; WMATA back in the hole; Ride On back on, parking fees off; Pro-transit on the purple route. Keep reading…
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Proposed Metro Matters much better, but with a loophole?
Maryland has announced they will pay their share of capital money under Metro Matters for FY 2010 and support funding a new FY11-16 agreement at the $5 billion level. The proposed new agreement also provides more assurance that jurisdictions will pay for projects, but there are still some questions about the details and whether a jurisdiction can back out too easily. WMATA… Keep reading…
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How could Metro improve wayfinding?
Yesterday, I discussed some of the ways other transit agencies deal with wayfinding. Based on the comments, many of you feel that signage is fine at present. Others think it can improve. Generally, the test of wayfinding is its ease for the absolute novice. While everyone is going to have to study a map or station list at some point, it needs to be easy to navigate a station once a person… Keep reading…
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Don’t permanently slow Metro for minor added safety
A driver slammed on his car’s brakes on the Capital Beltway yesterday after coming too close for comfort to another car in front. The maneuver successfully avoided a collision. In response, AAA called for all drivers to travel no faster than 40 mph indefinitely. Of course, this didn’t happen, because it’s silly. Drivers come a little too close for comfort… Keep reading…
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Sarles focusing on “basics” of safety, reliability, finances
WMATA General Manager Richard Sarles sat down with bloggers from Greater Greater Washington, Unsuck DC Metro, DCist, and We Love DC last night for an on-the-record chat about Metro’s challenges and his short-term 6-month plan to address them. Mr. Sarles presented his plan (PDF) to improve the system’s safety, reliability and financial stability over the next… Keep reading…
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Breakfast links: Colors and signs
Stand over there; Green means park; New signs for New York; Local AAA now says “share the road”; Yes! to Fairlawn; Since when is it about accountability?; Purple Line will run big in election; McDonnell backs tolls. Keep reading…