Breakfast links: Trains, cars of the future, roads of the past

High trail, grass tracks

The Maryland MTA released drawings showing the Purple Line coexisting with a leafy Capital Crescent Trail, including “grass tracks” and the trail on the north side of the rail line (despite Chevy Chase’s requests) so it can be at a higher elevation. (Silver Spring Trails)

Car of the future even more dangerous to peds, bikes?

Another “car of the future” article says you may “never worry about an accident, thanks to the car’s bulletproof magnesium shell.” But what about all the non-indestructible pedestrians and bicyclists you might hit? The “car of the future” will also automatically drive itself; perhaps that’s enough, perhaps not. (Fox News, Bossi)  (Tip: Bossi)

AASHTO: More highways, and more, and more

Calling freeways “the new Main Street” (really), AASHTO is calling for massive new road construction that would pave an area the size of Maryland. (Streetsblog)

WashTimes vs HOT lanes

The Washington Times again editorializes against HOT lanes in Virginia, noting that other lanes in Orange County and San Diego failed, and decrying the lack of scrutiny over Virginia’s contracts.

Dog poop forensics

A Baltimore condo building may DNA test all residents’ dogs to determine who’s leaving dog poop on the grounds. Sometimes I wish I could do this for the people who leave poop on my property, or in plastic bags in trash barrels (which DPW will not collect). (Baltimore Sun)

Graphic texting ad coming to South Carolina

AAA Carolina spent nearly a year trying to get permission to air the very graphic UK texting ad that shows teens dying after the driver’s attention slips. AAA Mid-Atlantic is opposed to texting, too, but wouldn’t it be nice if they were as aggressive about this? (Hollywood Reporter, Ken Archer)  (Tip: Ken Archer)

Bad contractor destroys two houses

A row house collapsed in the Mount Vernon Square area and damaged the party wall with another house, likely forcing demolition of both houses after a contractor failed to follow the permitted plans for underpinning the foundation.  DC needs to better monitor contractors who perform dangerous work like this. (Life in MVS, City Desk)