Portland Transport

A Full-fledged Mode?

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 00:33:06 -0800

Should I add a 'Broadband' entry over in the list of modal categories? According to this article telecommuting is a mode of its own.

Metro Council Approves 30-year Vision for High Capacity Transit

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:03:03 -0800

Yesterday the Metro Council approved a plan that ranks 16 potential High Capacity Transit corridors.

Included in the 'near term' category are corridors on Barbur, Powell and paralleling Highway 217.

A "MegaBus" for Oregon?

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:15:13 -0800

We've always heard that the Celts were thrifty. Apparently what Ryannair did for air travel in Europe the Mega Bus enterprise has started doing likewise for surface travel. And now it is also operating in three major population centers in the United States with internet fares for inter-city travel. They even offer lottery type promotions for the prize of a one dollar fare---via the Internet of course.

MegaBus---in keeping with thrifty operations--operates double-decker buses with a total passenger capacity of 81. Apparently some versions carry up to 94 passengers. A typical long distance passenger bus in the US carries 50 passengers

MegaBus (owned by Stagecoach Group, Ltd) cites three attractions for the economically, eco-conscious traveler:
-More than six times more fuel-efficient than easyJet
-Produces seven times less CO2 emissions
-Offers cheaper fares for budget travellers

Mega Bus's US operations (by Coach, USA) has three main regions of service:
1.Began in Chicago, in March 2006, with daily routes to Milwaukee, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Cleveland, St. Louis, Ann Arbor, Columbus, Louisville, Toledo, Detroit, Kansas City and Minneapolis.
2.On August 8, 2007, Megabus introduced service to the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, San Diego, and Tempe, Arizona
3.On May 30, 2008, Megabus began service from a hub in New York City, with service to Atlantic City, Baltimore, Boston, Buffalo , Philadelphia, Toronto, and Washington, D.C.

But Oregon is not an area of high density corridors connecting numerous large population centers. So would MegaBus, or something similar work?

My thought is that a mix of daytime and overnight service using a double decker format could break even. True, we don't have a large number of higly populated cities. But what we do have is a fewer number of routes---and plenty of recreational destinations along the way. For example there might not be a lot of travelers chomping at the bit to go from Portland to Klamath Falls, via US Hwys 26 and 97. But there are a number of popular recreation destinations---popular with hikers and bicyclers in the summer and skiers and snowshoers in the winter. Along the mentioned route are: Mt. Hood, Kahneeta and Warm Springs, Billy Chinook Reservoir, Redmond, Bend, Century Drive, SunRiver, Metolius River. Bachelor Butte, Wickiup Reservoir, Oregon Cascades Recreation Area, La Pine. Mt Thiessen wildeness area, Sprague River, Crater Lake National Park, Upper Klamath Lake, and Klamath Falls, of course.

An Oregon Coast route is practically a no-brainer. And the I-5 route, of course.

On more remote destinations--such as to Ontario or Burns or the Wallowas---- an overnight service with sleeping capacity could work. Simply spacing seats about thirty percent further apart will allow them to recline fully. Another option would be to have seats facing each other that also fold down into a bench, when the table is lifted out of the way. I have also thought about the possibility of sleeping compartments: It would seem that a two level design would open up possibilities. (Being alert for "camp robbers" could become necessary at night, and I would not leave valuables anywhere that isn't secured..... And no playing of old Eagles hits, late at night, either) If you wanted to attract recreational travelers adequate storage for a bit more gear would be requisite. This would be an opportunity for the carless to get somewhere fun and for recreationalists to leave the car at home.

So there you have it---a bit of Old England and the Wild West all in one.

Ordering Ahead

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 06:25:54 -0800

We're still waiting for the check from the Federal Transit Administration (amazing how the bureaucrats can keeping you hanging even after the Secretary says he's giving you $75M), but City Council today authorized contracts for the two long lead-time items for the Streetcar Loop.

Now on order: 6 shiny new streetcar vehicles from Oregon Iron Works and rail from the one mill in Austria that rolls the form of T-rail that we prefer (yes, we're trying to figure out how to get an Oregon vendor for it).

Congestion Reduced, Again

Thu, 09 Jul 2009 00:20:40 -0800

For the first time ever, the Texas Transportation Institute is reporting that traffic congestion has decreased for two years in a row.

I wish this pointed to some amazing change in American behavior, but of course it's a product of our economic situation (and gas prices, more so last year than this year).

The Oregonian has both coverage on the local angle and deconstruction of that coverage by one of its bloggers.

Ask and You Shall Receive

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:25:47 -0800

Not more than a few hours after yesterday's post suggesting animation as a weapon against the Columbia River Crossing, this link came across my transom:

http://vimeo.com/5419774

They're by Nick Falbo, who did the great Google Earth material on the CRC a few months ago.

I love the creativity of our community. Keep 'em coming!

Graphical Advocacy

Tue, 07 Jul 2009 09:21:08 -0800

What's the single highest capacity road lane in the country? The Lincoln Tunnel bus lane during morning commute in New York City.

This clip by Streetfilms advocating for more dedicated transit capacity in NYC's tunnels is a terrific example of using (mostly) animation coupled with some video as an advocacy tool.

Anyone out there have the skills to create to create a similar piece explaining the perils and pitfalls of the Columbia River Crossing?

Expanded Streetcar Discussion

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 09:44:25 -0800

The release of the City-wide Streetcar System Plan provoked some discussion in other venues in the blogosphere. Here is one of the more interesting ones at Human Transit.

An Interesting Suggestion from Congressman DeFazio

Mon, 06 Jul 2009 00:50:50 -0800

Lost in the hubub last week around Light Rail and Streetcar, here's an interesting suggestion made by the Congressman: replenish the Highway Trust Fund with a transfer tax on crude oil securities.

Video: Green Line First Ride Event, Part 2 of 2

Sun, 05 Jul 2009 11:16:05 -0800

Part 2 features excerpts of speeches by TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen, Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Rep. Earl Blumenauer (D-OR-3), as well as a rare cab-view while the train is in motion.

Video: Green Line First Ride Event, Part 1 of 2

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:27:00 -0800

The Green Line expansion of the MAX Light Rail system from Downtown Portland to Clackamas Town Center will open later this summer. On June 30th, a "First Ride" preview event occurred where a couple of hundred individuals including a number of public officials rode the route.

Part 1 features interviews with TriMet General Manager Fred Hansen, Councilor Greg Chaimov (City of Milwaukie), Representative David Wu (D-OR), and TriMet Director for Capital Projects Neil McFarlane.

Video: Streetcar Unveililng, with Interviews

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 12:21:00 -0800

Video of yesterday's streetcar unveiling, with short interviews with Rep. DeFazio and Rep. Blumenauer. In particular, I asked both representatives about funding opportunities for improving transit access in existing corridors which are not slated for streetcar or light rail projects.

Public Comment Draft of Streetcar System Plan Released

Thu, 02 Jul 2009 04:26:52 -0800

A forty-five day public comment period began yesterday on the Streetcar System Plan, leading to a Planning Commission hearing on August 14th and City Council consideration in September.

The plan, a 20-50 year vision of where Streetcars might run in Portland, has been 20 months in the making, with work by staff, a System Advisory Committee, neighborhood-based district working groups and several rounds of open houses and public surveys.

As a member of the System Advisory Committee I feel very good about the Streetcar network that is being recommended. The network would extend, mostly on the east side of the Willamette, out Sandy to the NE and Hawthorne/Belmont to Foster to the SE. Major N/S connections would exist on 82nd and 122nd, and branches would go North to St. Johns and perhaps South to the Sellwood Bridge (connecting to the Lake Oswego line).

In my mind, the interesting question is: which links to build first?

The plan identifies a core network, mostly in inner NE and SE Portland that based on traditional planning would probably make sense as the first step in building out a system.

But many on the System Advisory Committee and some of the district working groups members are wondering if the the traditional thought process is the best approach?

Developing the 'inner' network, while likely creating a great transit experience and development opportunities, would largely reinforce what are already existing relatively good land use patterns.

It would also reinforce the idea that public investment happens downtown and in the inner east side, not in Portland's more far-flung neighborhoods.

Could Streetcar be applied in North Portland (a proposed corridor would run from St. John's to the Yellow Line MAX on Lombard) or in outer East Portland (perhaps from Lents to the Powellhurst-Gilbert neighborhood) to create vibrant pedestrian-friendly main streets and foster private investment in more sustainable development patterns?

An early goal established by the System Advisory Committee was equity, it's hard to see how building a network from the center out delivers on that goal.

There's no question that building from the edges in is much more challenging. The Portland Plan would need to supply land-use plans that would respond to Streetcar as a catalyst, and new approaches to funding would need to be developed. Tools like urban renewal that work at the center of the City are unlikely to be mainstays at the edges.

I hope the next few months will be an opportunity for a vibrant discussion on where public investment in Streetcar can bring the greatest short- and long-term benefit to Portland.

Video: Secretary LaHood's remarks at today's Streetcar Unveiling Event

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 16:02:16 -0800

Red, White and Blue Streetcar

Wed, 01 Jul 2009 13:18:26 -0800

I attended my second 'first ride' in two days as Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood visited Portland for the first passenger trip on the first made-in-USA Streetcar in 60 years. Our congressional delegation effused over job creation, sustainability and mom and apple pie in front of the vehicle built by Oregon Iron Works.

A full photo roll after the jump.

The vehicle is expected to enter revenue service on Portland's streets in early July.