one man's opinion (Atlanta: real estate, pollution, train)

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by SenseSoCommon

You are assuming a lot of things when you suggest what they could have done and what would have been the benefit or the casualty of those actions.
I do think the biggest problem in Atlanta is the connector.
If they can fix that problem I think it would alleviate much of what cause such back ups all over.

East-West Connector?

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by jsvh

Dallas is not a role model for avoiding traffic congestion.

Also, sounds like you got to Atlanta right after our attempts at "freeing the freeways" finished construction. Which got us a couple years of flowing traffic, but of course ultimately only made traffic worse in the long run due to induced demand.

But even if more freeways would actually improve things in the long run (which most evidence points against), there is not political will to get them built. That has already been tried: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlanta_freeway_revolts

So the new plan is "leave the highways crappy so no person or business wants to even consider moving here" ?

[NC2ATL60]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

East-West Connector?

Pretty sure they meant the downtown connector (I-75/85 downtown).

[NC2ATL60]

Originally Posted by OldAtlanta

Stay in Charlotte

Charlotte may end up more congested than ATL if they ever get this big. Less freeways, less transit options, smaller freeways (not as many lanes), etc. They are growing crazy fast too with the same growth patterns as ATL.

[jsvh]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

So the new plan is "leave the highways crappy so no person or business wants to even consider moving here" ?

No, the new plan is instead of freeways focus investment more in viable transit alternatives so people and businesses want to move here. And it is working. People and businesses are relocating disproportionality to places with good transit access.

Freeways in large cities will be a "crappy" option no matter how wide or how numerous we make them.

[architect77]

Originally Posted by NC2ATL60

Charlotte may end up more congested than ATL if they ever get this big. Less freeways, less transit options, smaller freeways (not as many lanes), etc. They are growing crazy fast too with the same growth patterns as ATL.

If Charlotte was the only metropolis in an otherwise rural, low-populated area like Atlanta it could possibly grow to Atlanta's size.

But that statistic that Charlotte is the center of the 6th-7tth most populated urban region in the country will prevent that from happening.

There are so many close-by smaller metro areas that are growing also.

it's sort of like why Baltimore has little chance of growing indefinitely.

[ddm2k]

Originally Posted by jsvh

No, the new plan is instead of freeways focus investment more in viable transit alternatives so people and businesses want to move here. And it is working. People and businesses are relocating disproportionality to places with good transit access.

Freeways in large cities will be a "crappy" option no matter how wide or how numerous we make them.

I believe that's a 2-way street: Transit doesn't build bus stops in the middle of nowhere. It's usually in proximity of some sort of shopping center, downtown, or handoff to another line/mode of transportation.

[ddm2k]

I am a staunch believer that public transit can only get us so far. Yes, there's New York City. And yes, there are people in other cities without cars - not by choice. The biggest hurdle will be SELLING THE IDEA of public transportation to people who OWN AUTOMOBILES to alleviate traffic congestion.

As an owner of a private auto, I would have a hard time giving up use of my personal vehicle, with all of the pro's:

- 100% control of climate
- 100% control of direction/destination
- 100% control of schedule
- Secure cargo space
- Private environment - can talk on hands-free without creating or being affected by noise pollution
- Reaches all the way to my destination address (useful in inclement weather)

[bigup]

Originally Posted by ddm2k

I am a staunch believer that public transit can only get us so far. Yes, there's New York City. And yes, there are people in other cities without cars - not by choice. The biggest hurdle will be SELLING THE IDEA of public transportation to people who OWN AUTOMOBILES to alleviate traffic congestion.

As an owner of a private auto, I would have a hard time giving up use of my personal vehicle, with all of the pro's:

- 100% control of climate
- 100% control of direction/destination
- 100% control of schedule
- Secure cargo space
- Private environment - can talk on hands-free without creating or being affected by noise pollution
- Reaches all the way to my destination address (useful in inclement weather)

Owning a vehicle and utilizing transit aren't mutually exclusive--I take public transit to work on most weekdays, but drive on the weekends when traffic isn't as bad. And I don't think that driving always gives you quite the "100%" control in the ways you mention.

[waronxmas]

Originally Posted by architect77

But that statistic that Charlotte is the center of the 6th-7tth most populated urban region in the country will prevent that from happening.

Lol, what are you talking about? This isn't true unless you use funny math.