Breakfast links: Future of the suburbs is transit

Suburban walkable places the future?

David Brooks says, “urban downtowns will continue their modest (and perpetually overhyped) revival, but the real action will be out in the compact, self-sufficient suburban villages.” Chris Leinberger says that’s actually mostly right, but the big question is whether we’ll have transit and bike and walking infrastructure to and around those villages. (NY Times, TNR via Streetsblog DC)

Pound foolish

The FTA’s “cost-effectiveness” formula forced Charlotte to use 2-car trains instead of 3-car trains on its new light rail line in 2007. But ridership nearly doubled projections, and now it will cost $67 million just to retrofit the original line. Whoops. Fortunately, the current FTA is using this as exhibit A for changing the formula. (Greenwire)

Transit “poison pill” still not dead

We briefly noted this a while back, but the Maryland State Senate might derail the state’s transit projects, the Purple Line and Baltimore Red Line, with a “poison pill” provision to require restudying the lines as heavy rail pushed by Baltimore Senator George Della of Canton. The House rejected the language, but it still goes to conference. (City Paper, Getting There, MPW)

Washington Circle of Death

An SUV driver hit a pedestrian in Washington Circle; she later died from the injuries. Washington Circle has high-speed traffic and poor pedestrian conditions. Will anyone examine pedestrian safety here? Will we ever get to look at the police report? (GW Hatchet)

Small steps for safety

The Maryland SHA will put in signs and expand a median at a Viers Veirs Mill Road intersection that’s had 70 pedestrian

collisions and two pedestrian deaths since 2003, but won’t put in a stoplight as residents have requested … and Montgomery police will increase speeding enforcement in Briggs Chaney. (Gazette)

Leaning house of Shaw

A Shaw rowhouse with an absent owner has started to lean dangerously, creating worries it could collapse. (ABC7 via DCist)

Nextboooooos?

Google Maps, which already includes the Circulator, now makes arrival-time estimates as well. Are these based on any kind of algorithm or just schedule estimates? (Georgetown Metropolitan)