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This should be a fun thread that hasn't been done on here before I think. It seems like we're entering into the golden age for transit expansion plans with new cities without transit and cities with transit all trying to improve their networks or build brand new networks to improve transportation across the nation. It seems like every city is trying to build some form of rail or bus rapid transit to move people in a faster more efficient way as density increases in cities across the nation.
Please rank each CSA's expansion plans over the next 20 years based on the following:
Heavy Rail Train Expansion plans: 5 points X miles
Light Rail Train Expansion plans: 3 points X miles
Commuter Rail Train Expansion plans: 1 point X miles
(fictional) Rappahannock City Light Rail Line: 23 mile's
23 miles X 3 points (for light rail) = 69
Total Points: 69 points
I was thinking this would give us a better idea of which CSA region's actually have the most things in the pipeline. I hope it's not too complicated. Enjoy and have some fun with it. I will try to keep a running tally based on points. Let the games begin!
If you don't feel like doing the math, just post the plans and mile's and I will do it for you as I update the rank for the CSA's across the nation.
Last edited by MDAllstar; 03-15-2014 at 10:56 AM..
My guess is the leaders are LA, DC and NYC. LA might get the top spot because of all the transit expansion plans in the IE and OC... Though if lower tier BRT doesn't count I don't know if either of them add points to the CSA. I think OC has a street car or two planned. Does HSR count for anything?
Chicago recently got chunks of money in a proposed FTA budget for BRT along Ashland Ave (16 mi when all finished) and a rebuild of the red and purple lines on the north side. Not sure if it counts as "gold standard," though.
Lots of agencies have plans. But only a few have mechanisms already in place to make those plans a reality. AFAIK only two agencies have heavy rail lines currently under construction - WMATA and NYCT. And AFAIK only one other agency has realistic plans to start heavy rail construction anytime soon - LACMTA. Those three would have to be at the top in terms of usefulness, quality, and riders added due to expansion.
But to go with the exercise in the OP it should be pretty easy (but time consuming) to go to wikipedia and get expansion totals and calculate the results.
Lots of agencies have plans. But only a few have mechanisms already in place to make those plans a reality. AFAIK only two agencies have heavy rail lines currently under construction - WMATA and NYCT. And AFAIK only one other agency has realistic plans to start heavy rail construction anytime soon - LACMTA. Those three would have to be at the top in terms of usefulness, quality, and riders added due to expansion.
But to go with the exercise in the OP it should be pretty easy (but time consuming) to go to wikipedia and get expansion totals and calculate the results.
BART is currently building expanding into San Jose as we speak.
We also have some very cool rail projects that total about 105 miles.
Also, I dont see why commuter rail tracks get less points. Especially since this discussion is CSA level?
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