Traffic is a nightmare.... (Houston: rental, airport, rail)

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by Meyerland

There were railroad tracks north of I 10 that they took out many years ago. I am sure I 10 gobbled up that land. I wondered at that time why they didn't put in a train system at that time. ( the actual tracks were in poor condition at that time.)

That's the reason. The tracks were in such poor condition that they were no longer suitable even for freight service, which has a much lower standard than passenger service. The railroad that owned them basically gave them away because it would have cost too much to upgrade.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by fnh

Mass transit may not solve the problem of freeway congestion but it gives you options. For example, I would argue that the traffic congestion is far worse in Seattle, a city with decent public transit, but one can largely avoid it with myriad options for getting where you need to be.

One can avoid it, one million can't. The problem with rail is it is not scalable. At $100 million per mile, there is not enough money in the world to provide door to door service for most of the population in a city as geographically large as Houston. It is a pyramid-based subsidy that requires the contributions of hundreds if not thousands to provide for the needs of one.

Mass transit has never alleviated traffic anywhere. It has it's benefits. It's a wonderful solution for those who live and work near the route. (A bicycle is even better for those who live and work a mile apart.) It helps connect points of interest and facilitate tourists and business travelers. But it doesn't significantly alleviate overall traffic.

[wooliemonster]

Rail doesn't work in most cities around the world? I'll let them know ASAP.

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by wooliemonster

Rail doesn't work in most cities around the world? I'll let them know ASAP.

It hasn't alleviated traffic in them. I never said doesn't "work", I said traffic relief is not a valid justification.

[wooliemonster]

Car traffic obeys ideal gas laws and will expand to fill the available volume

[oceangaia]

Originally Posted by wooliemonster

Car traffic obeys ideal gas laws and will expand to fill the available volume

Right, because roads spawn cars. Same could be said about schools and stores and water lines and the electrical grid. Why build a new power plant? After all, demand for electricity will just increase...

[crono_clone]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

It hasn't alleviated traffic in them. I never said doesn't "work", I said traffic relief is not a valid justification.

You're right, nothing will ever "alleviate" traffic short of us inventing teleportation. But mass transit does allow for more density; those wanting mass transit to cause "no traffic" are really just wanting the road to themselves Selfish, lol.

[rhn]

A staggard work schedule dependent on geographic location, and employer support of such would be key in relieving the rediculous traffic. But it will never happen...too much greed and work work work mentality in this city.

As an example...

Workplace Location Work shift
Downtown: 8AM-5PM
Inner Loop: 7AM-4PM
Outside Beltway: 6AM-3PM

Or the other way around...whatever flows best. If roads cant handle it and mass transit doesnt work, this is the only option I see

[Tassy001]

Originally Posted by rhn

A staggard work schedule dependent on geographic location, and employer support of such would be key in relieving the rediculous traffic. But it will never happen...too much greed and work work work mentality in this city.

As an example...

Workplace Location Work shift
Downtown: 8AM-5PM
Inner Loop: 7AM-4PM
Outside Beltway: 6AM-3PM

Or the other way around...whatever flows best. If roads cant handle it and mass transit doesnt work, this is the only option I see

Also, let employees in positions where they can work from home, do so.

[Dopo]

Originally Posted by oceangaia

That's the reason. The tracks were in such poor condition that they were no longer suitable even for freight service, which has a much lower standard than passenger service. The railroad that owned them basically gave them away because it would have cost too much to upgrade.

The most expensive part is the right of way,
the tracks don't cost anything