The past few days the Washington Post has run a few interesting transportation related articles that caught my eye. While most are NoVa specific, the outcome or ramifications of each could have further reaching effects.
1. The price tag for Metro to Wiehle just got bumped up another $54 million dollars. In the bigger picture, $54 million is a very small percentage of the $1.63 billion cost estimate, but for a project that's still not off the ground and a no-bid contractor with an ugly track record or being way, way over budget (Big Dig anyone?), this is certainly not a good sign.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
2. Variable speed limits on the Beltway. In a unique effort for the region, a new electronic controlled system of variable speed limits will be introduced, thanks to the Woodrow Wilson Bridge Project. The goal is to optimize traffic throughput in sections of the beltway that will be closed due to construction. The theory is that when vehicles traveling at normal highway speeds are forced into less lanes they will cause a greater jam than if they are forced into fewer lanes while traveling at reduced speeds. If this actually works (big IF), this concept could be applied to some of our other highway congestion areas. Keep an eye on this one.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
3. Dr. Gridlock addresses two issues, calculating the cost of mass transit and speed cameras. For those of you who are concerned about rising transportation costs, the first item is worth a look - you may find that you can save a lot of dough. I'm pretty sure the second item will be met with a cold reception, but I'm a fan of electronic traffic enforcement systems and I completely agree with the good doctor's response. I'd love to see these make a much stronger showing in Virginia (Kudos to the Commonwealth for bringing the red light cameras back - although they've been very sloooow to implement them).
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
4. Souped up bus stops with heating, lighting, and even wi-fi. The first three of twenty-two planned Super Stops on Colombia Pike were recently approved with construction to begin in the Fall. With high fuel costs and looming environmental disaster, efforts such as this which encourage public transportation are desperately needed. The big challenge facing buses is that, quite frankly, people don't want to ride them. Upscale improvements such as this should help - and I'd recommend including similar upscale improvements to the buses themselves. Keep an eye on this one as well, as it may be a good indicator of how willing people will be to take the bus if the bus experience is improved.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
I'd love to see it happen though. I'd rather drive 40 in a normally 60mph area than sitting bumper-to-bumper for the next hour and a half.