High Speed Rail (HSR) is the favorite moniker to describe the new era of trains envisioned and partially down-paid by the recent stimulus. The idea, linking major regional corridors via fast trains that rival door-to-door times for air travel and put highways to shame, is a powerful elixir to the crunch of congested highways and airways that represented a failed – or to be more accurate, incomplete - twentieth century vision to satiate America's transport needs. Perhaps this vision, if implemented with undeterred gusto, can renew our perception of travel and convenience while simultaneously reinvigorating our gagged transportation system.
Amtrak
Crumbling Condition
A 'staggering' number of the bridges used by Amtrak trains in and around New York City are in poor or worse condition.
The New York Post
Guns on Trains Could Derail Amtrak
The Senate transportation spending bill, signed last week, contains a provision requiring Amtrak to allow guns on its trains or lose its funding.
The Hill
Amtrak Routes Now on Google Transit
A recent partnership between Google and Amtrak will allow users of Google Maps / Google Transit to see Amtrak routes as a possible mode of travel, Webwire reports.
Webwire
Going Backwards on the Tracks
Author Tom Vanderbilt suggests that train service has been headed in the wrong direction for the better part of a century.
Slate.com
How Far Can $1.3 Billion Take Amtrak?
Amtrak's list of projects that will get stimulus funding is just about finalized, but this financial boost is just the beginning. Three rail experts weigh in on how the initial $1.3 billion in grants will get spent, and how else the agency can use the money to achieve self-reliance.
LaHood Appears Before Senate Panel
Secretary of Transportation appointee Ray LaHood spoke to the Senate today about Amtrak, toll roads, and sustainability.
Grist
Trains Are Not Planes
Amtrak and other rail systems are using air travel as their model of service, which Alex Marshall argues is a big mistake given the advantages of rail that they fail to exploit.
Governing Magazine
Amtrak Reauthorization & Safety Bill Signed
Two weeks after Congress passed HR 2095, Bush signed this bill to double Amtrak funding and mandate safety technology to prevent Metrolink-like crashes. It may be a precursor to greatly expanded transit spending in the next administration.
Binghamton Press & Sun Bulletin
California Transit: It'll Drive You To Drive
Northern California planner and lawyer Joel Ellinwood has committed himself to riding trains and public transit whenever possible. He's learning a lot along the way.
California Planning & Development Report
McCain Votes Against Transit
John McCain was one of two dozen senators to vote last week against a bill that included $1.5 billion to fund D.C. transit.
Washington Post
Amtrak Funding Bill Passes
The Senate has passed a bill that will allocate $2.5 billion for Amtrak annually, with money going to operation, repairs, and new safety measures.
The Wall Street Journal
Rail Safety Bill Mired In Amtrak Politics
Federal legislation that would require and partially fund Positive Train Control technology, which, had it been installed by Metrolink, would have prevented the Sept. 12 crash, is held up in the Senate by a fiscal hawk wary of funding Amtrak.
The Wall Street Journal
'Live From A Moving Train' News Broadcast Set For 9/15
"Good Morning America" in cooperation with Amtrak will launch a 'Whistle-Stop' Tour at Grand Central Station on Mon, Sept. 15 - one full week live, two hours daily from a moving train featuring five station stops, making for a 'technology first'.
ABC News
Amtrak's Struggle To Catch Up To Demand
This article from Next American City looks at rising ridership on Amtrak and how the train operator is not quite ready to handle it.
Next American City
Biden Bodes Well for Rail
Transit supporters may have reason to rejoice in the selection of Sen. Joe Biden as Obama's V.P. pick.
Daily Kos
NPR's Talk of the Nation Highlights Amtrak Long Distance Travel
Former travel editor Catherine Watson is interviewed on NPR's "Talk of the Nation" about her Amtrak trip on three long-distance trains from Minnesota to New Mexico that illustrate the difference between travel and transportation.
National Public Radio - Talk of the Nation
Time to Take Rail Plans National
This article from the San Francisco Chronicle argues it's time for a national rail plan.
The San Francisco Chronicle
Amtrak in the Spotlight
The much-maligned rail system is being reconsidered, as gas prices and environmental awareness send people looking for solutions. But can Amtrak step up to the plate?
Newsweek
Amtrak Struggles To Meet Skyrocketing Demand
With unprecedented demand, Amtrak is hampered by years of neglect. The agency is unable to handle all the new customers resulting from high gas prices and plane tickets and is struggling to replace aged equipment and pay for increased fuel costs.
The New York Times
Planetizen picks
Contribute
- High Speed Rail Sprawl
- Town's Plan to Cap Residential Growth Violates State Law
- Rethinking Urban Alleyways in Seattle
- Seeking Solutions to California's Drought
- CO2 'Domes' Pose Problems for Cities
- Houston's Light Rail Funding Woes
- Freeways Responsible For Emptying Out Cities
- Should the World Trade Center be Rebuilt?
- New Argument for Public Transit: Better for Texting?
- Illinois Opens Door to New Nuclear Plants
Conventional Planning May Be Contributing to Cleveland's Decline -- Samuel Staley
Inside the City of RVs -- Nate Berg
Parking Policy Reform More Important Than LEED Certification -- Todd Litman
Exploring Web 2.0 in Urban Planning -- Chris Steins
Sprawl In Canada and the U.S.: A Comparison -- Michael Lewyn
Request for Statements of Qualifications for State Route 239 Phase 1 (Planning)
Contra Costa County Department of Conservation and Development
Mar 16, 2010
Request For Proposals - Comprehensive Zoning Update
City of South Gate
Mar 15, 2010
www.flickr.com
|
