[hotair2]

There is a new book written by a department at UA and St. Louis University. The 162 page book talks about the possibilities of a light rail system in NW Arkansas similar to that which other states enjoy.

The light rail system envisioned would connect Springdale, Rogers and Fayetteville. The light rail could revitalize downtown areas, especially in Springdale and Rogers. Images of the book show Springdale's Emma Street with an urban landscape with cafes, and businesses with the light rail moving down the center of the street.

The light rail would connect the business areas with the suburbs. We had light rail in Denver and it was great. You could get on the rail and travel downtown and shop, drink, whatever and the then get on the train and go back home. It was so convenient. I hope Arkansas and North West Arkansas gives this idea some thought. Any thoughts?

[Dr. Foosball]

This would be awesome. I hate the lack of public transportation in Arkansas.

I doubt the taxpayers will go for it though. Anything that costs money will be shot down.

What is the name of the book?

[hotair2]

Originally Posted by Dr. Foosball

This would be awesome. I hate the lack of public transportation in Arkansas.

I doubt the taxpayers will go for it though. Anything that costs money will be shot down.

What is the name of the book?

I believe the name of the book is:
NWA Rail: Visioning Rail Transit in Northwest Arkansas

The Community Design Center at the Fay Jones School of Architecture put together a 162-page book with maps, charts and graphics that illustrate what the area would look like with rail transit.

There was no mention of connecting the river valley. Would that not be awesome if they could also connect fort smith. I would not mind living here that much if it were connected to Fayetteville. You could go to a football game...have fun and catch the train home.

They are going to have to do something there such as light rail or growth will grind to a standstill because of the amount of traffic. Intelligent planners would see the amount of money that could bring in. I was excited about Fayetteville's previous mayor. I don't know much about the current one or the political structure in the other two cities, but there certainly would be some resistance from those people who are against progress. Springdale would probably be more receptive than Rogers. I don't know much about Rogers but I have heard that it is very politically insulated.

[ridicter]

I used to be adamantly against this idea; now I'm just very, very skeptical. The change of heart is that light rail will come eventually, and perhaps starting earlier would encourage high-density developments. The fact that this is even being discussed is very positive though...I definitely want to check out this book.

Here's my opinion:
Light Rail needs DENSITY, which is something NWA does not have at all. Consider the St Louis metrolink, which is relatively young. The STL metro area has the population of Arkansas but in a handful of counties.

In 2000, St Louis, the city, has a density of 5,616.0 ppl per square mile. Fayetteville had a density of 1336. A factor of 4 smaller. Rogers, 1158. Springdale 1463.2. Fayetteville's density as of 2006 looks about 1600. The 2 county density is much less than that.

So, it would be pretty difficult to pull off. And just my personal anecdote: even when I was living right by the metro in St. Louis, I rarely used it because it simply did not pass amenities I needed. It passed a grocery store area that was in a suburban development, but walking across those huge parking lots and riding and waiting for a train simply wasn't worth it--and I'm pretty gung ho about transportation. I used it going to the airport and downtown, but not daily.

The only area I see in the state worth building a light rail would be downtown Little Rock, and it would be a very small system, probably less than 5 miles. But most of downtown LR is dead/undeveloped/parking lots at this point--so this is a huge stretch too. However, because of its grid system, it has the capability to truly become dense enough to justify building light rail. A system like this: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...guide-ga-2.jpg.

That said, light rail might be a standard part of any city in 50 years, and other places, like Tyson's Corner in VA, are building whole cities and centers around public transportation.

How does NWA prepare for that when they don't even have a bus system?

[Dr. Foosball]

Originally Posted by hotair2

There was no mention of connecting the river valley. Would that not be awesome if they could also connect fort smith. I would not mind living here that much if it were connected to Fayetteville. You could go to a football game...have fun and catch the train home.

We have the excursion train that runs out of the Van Buren Depot through NWA (I am pretty sure it already stops at Emma Ave in Springdale). They could have that link up to one of the light rail stations twice a day on Saturdays. The last time I checked, the excursion train was too expensive for me to even consider; but, of course, it is a scenic tourist type thing so maybe a train meant for simple transportation could be cheaper.

[hotair2]

Originally Posted by ridicter

I used to be adamantly against this idea; now I'm just very, very skeptical. The change of heart is that light rail will come eventually, and perhaps starting earlier would encourage high-density developments. The fact that this is even being discussed is very positive though...I definitely want to check out this book.

Here's my opinion:
Light Rail needs DENSITY, which is something NWA does not have at all. Consider the St Louis metrolink, which is relatively young. The STL metro area has the population of Arkansas but in a handful of counties.

In 2000, St Louis, the city, has a density of 5,616.0 ppl per square mile. Fayetteville had a density of 1336. A factor of 4 smaller. Rogers, 1158. Springdale 1463.2. Fayetteville's density as of 2006 looks about 1600. The 2 county density is much less than that.

So, it would be pretty difficult to pull off. And just my personal anecdote: even when I was living right by the metro in St. Louis, I rarely used it because it simply did not pass amenities I needed. It passed a grocery store area that was in a suburban development, but walking across those huge parking lots and riding and waiting for a train simply wasn't worth it--and I'm pretty gung ho about transportation. I used it going to the airport and downtown, but not daily.

The only area I see in the state worth building a light rail would be downtown Little Rock, and it would be a very small system, probably less than 5 miles. But most of downtown LR is dead/undeveloped/parking lots at this point--so this is a huge stretch too. However, because of its grid system, it has the capability to truly become dense enough to justify building light rail. A system like this: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...guide-ga-2.jpg.

That said, light rail might be a standard part of any city in 50 years, and other places, like Tyson's Corner in VA, are building whole cities and centers around public transportation.

How does NWA prepare for that when they don't even have a bus system?

I see what you are saying in terms of density. However, Ideally you would like to infrastructure in place before the population density become too great and then try to make the rail deal with the sprawl. If you put the rail in early, you will get density around the rail. In other words, instead of trying to make the rail match the sprawl, eliminate the sprawl before it gets out of hand. It is true that it will difficult and underutilized at the beginning, but more businesses and communities will start locating around the rail...if the rail is laid out in a strategic manner. It has to go to where people want to go and you have to have centralized parking locations for people to park and get on the rail.

The rail is the best way to have controlled growth and reduce the amount of traffic and congestion, which will only get worse in that area of the state.

[hotair2]

Originally Posted by ridicter

I used to be adamantly against this idea; now I'm just very, very skeptical. The change of heart is that light rail will come eventually, and perhaps starting earlier would encourage high-density developments. The fact that this is even being discussed is very positive though...I definitely want to check out this book.

Here's my opinion:
Light Rail needs DENSITY, which is something NWA does not have at all. Consider the St Louis metrolink, which is relatively young. The STL metro area has the population of Arkansas but in a handful of counties.

In 2000, St Louis, the city, has a density of 5,616.0 ppl per square mile. Fayetteville had a density of 1336. A factor of 4 smaller. Rogers, 1158. Springdale 1463.2. Fayetteville's density as of 2006 looks about 1600. The 2 county density is much less than that.

So, it would be pretty difficult to pull off. And just my personal anecdote: even when I was living right by the metro in St. Louis, I rarely used it because it simply did not pass amenities I needed. It passed a grocery store area that was in a suburban development, but walking across those huge parking lots and riding and waiting for a train simply wasn't worth it--and I'm pretty gung ho about transportation. I used it going to the airport and downtown, but not daily.

The only area I see in the state worth building a light rail would be downtown Little Rock, and it would be a very small system, probably less than 5 miles. But most of downtown LR is dead/undeveloped/parking lots at this point--so this is a huge stretch too. However, because of its grid system, it has the capability to truly become dense enough to justify building light rail. A system like this: http://static.howstuffworks.com/gif/...guide-ga-2.jpg.

That said, light rail might be a standard part of any city in 50 years, and other places, like Tyson's Corner in VA, are building whole cities and centers around public transportation.

How does NWA prepare for that when they don't even have a bus system?

I don't what it is about busses but people hate taking a bus, but the same people will ride a train. In Atlanta most of my friends would ride the train, but not the bus. I think it had something to do with the perception that only poor people rode the bus, but the sophisticated rode the train. That is the best that I can do, but trains usually are more successful that busses for whatever reason.

[hotair2]

Originally Posted by Dr. Foosball

We have the excursion train that runs out of the Van Buren Depot through NWA (I am pretty sure it already stops at Emma Ave in Springdale). They could have that link up to one of the light rail stations twice a day on Saturdays. The last time I checked, the excursion train was too expensive for me to even consider; but, of course, it is a scenic tourist type thing so maybe a train meant for simple transportation could be cheaper.

I have heard that already have rails in place. This could cut the cost tremendously.

[ridicter]

Originally Posted by hotair2

I see what you are saying in terms of density. However, Ideally you would like to infrastructure in place before the population density become too great and then try to make the rail deal with the sprawl. If you put the rail in early, you will get density around the rail. In other words, instead of trying to make the rail match the sprawl, eliminate the sprawl before it gets out of hand. It is true that it will difficult and underutilized at the beginning, but more businesses and communities will start locating around the rail...if the rail is laid out in a strategic manner. It has to go to where people want to go and you have to have centralized parking locations for people to park and get on the rail.

The rail is the best way to have controlled growth and reduce the amount of traffic and congestion, which will only get worse in that area of the state.

I see what you mean.

I would be incredibly excited, personally, if NWA created a Light Rail system. It just can't be built with any realistic expectation to get a return...

Hopefully it will happen. Plus, I'm not sure if any city really has the culture and demographics necessary--other than Fayetteville (young,progressive), and maybe Springdale (low-income).

[Vic_Vega]

Yes true. The rails belong to the Arkansas & Missouri railroad.