Breakfast links: Benefits not always visible

iSee subway stations

A new iPhone app shows you the nearest NYC subway stations as balloons floating in midair, superimposed upon the camera’s view, as you point the phone in different directions. Extraordinary Observations observes that this would be even more useful for bus stops. (@perkinsms)

Oh, there’s a Metro station there?

Fairfax anti group FairGrowth criticizes the traffic impact of converting residences to offices in the proposed development at the Vienna Metro, but manages not to mention the word “Metro” once anywhere in their letter (PDF). Yes, if you totally ignore the existence of public transit, then dense projects would seem to generate more traffic.

Cantorism in NoVA

Northern Virginia’s “more lanes all the time” advocacy group, the Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance (not Authority or Commission) bashes the bike funding in the region’s TIGER stimulus grant because, they claim, only new freeway miles would generate “economic recovery.” (FABB)

Hands off our pike

Arlington is trying to take over Columbia Pike from VDOT. That will make it easier for them to build a planned streetcar, which VDOT is impeding while not actually contributing much money to the upkeep of the road. (DCmud)

Medical Center Metro entrance lives to fight another day

TPB voted to keep its options open about the pedestrian underpass vs. direct elevator entrance to the Medical Center Metro station. Montgomery Councilmember Marc Elrich made the change at last week’s meeting, with an assist by Duchy Trachtenberg, Nancy Floreen, and Roger Berliner. (ACT, Cavan)  (Tip: Cavan)

Nobody wants to live here, except lots of people

Despite the recession and periodic predictions that walkable urbanism won’t work in Rockville, a new apartment building in downtown Rockville has the fourth-fastest leasing rate in the State of Maryland. (Rockville Central, Ben)

Don’t drink and dial

Do you talk on the phone while driving? Despite research showing that cell phone use — whether with headsets, texting, or hands-free — is as dangerous as driving legally drunk, people keep doing it and many states refuse to restrict the practice. And enforcement is next to impossible. Is fighting distracted driving the 21st century equivalent of anti-smoking campaigns, which entailed enormous public education campaigns and long legislative battles, the Times asks?  (NT Times, Stephen Miller)  (Tip: Stephen Miller)

Underground pipe to waterfront park

Seoul has uncovered a paved-over stream, improving the surrounding neighborhoods and the environment. Other cities including many in the U.S. are doing or considering the same. (New York Times)