Talk:Transportation
From Pete Ashdown Campaign Collaboration Wiki
You mention the French TGV system as a good example of high-speed rail. The Shinkansen in Japan is another great example: it currently runs at 300 MPH, and in 41 years of operation, it's only had one derailment, which was caused by an earthquake. Even then, there were no passenger injuries or fatalities. Given that the technology exists to do high-speed rail safely, I'm baffled as to why we haven't already done it here.
- The Shinkansen is a great example of rail done right. I had the opportunity to use it on a family trip in 2004 and was very impressed with its efficiency. I think the whole problem behind rail in the US is that we've had the luxury of focusing on automobiles for the last 50 years. Other countries with less geographic area haven't had the same quantity of roadspace we have had and worked on a balanced transportation system earlier.--pashdown 07:39, November 3, 2005 (MST)
This page is getting long winded and needs to be edited down. I want to be clear that I am not against automobile use, simply against the continued imbalance between automobiles and other forms of transportation.--pashdown 09:00, 28 November 2005 (MST)
no need to dismiss the current commuter rail project in utah. it's a very popular initiative, even among conservatives. 63.166.224.66 15:53, 28 November 2005 (MST)
- I wasn't trying to be dismissive. I was trying to point out the need for a fast-rail initiative on a federal level. Do you think the comparison should be removed?--pashdown 16:18, 28 November 2005 (MST)
This page definitely needs some copyediting work, as it's pretty rambly. Also, note that one solution to addressing the Transportation problem is to simply reduce it. Transportation problems are caused not by insufficient roads or rails, but by people living too far from their workplace, shopping centers, and friends/family. Thus, one solution is to reduce these distances by promoting having people live closer to the places they need to get to.
Telecommuting is another cheap way to reduce transportation needs. Small reductions in the number of people on the roads can have major impacts on traffic problems; imagine if all office workers telecommuted just one day a week (20%) We have all the technology to do widespread telecommuting today; the issue is that large companies don't permit it, due to mistrust of their employees or other reasons. However, I think they would find if used appropriately it can improve productivity, morale, and health. BryceHarrington 15:03, 4 January 2006 (MST)
- Bryce is there a company willing to let me telecommute. I would be working tomorrow! Owning the vehicle I do it makes commuting hard but I love what I have. I would love to be able to ride RELIABLE mass-transit or work from home and not need to go at all. What about using a VPN with VoIP to telecommute? The more people at home, less on the roads, less traffic, better air!--Projektdotnet 13:44, 2 May 2006 (MDT)
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[edit] More to transportation than commuter/long haul passenger trains
There's so much more to a comprehensive discussion of non-auto responsible transportation. Some things to consider:
* Local mass transit, including subways, street cars, busses, etc. * Bicycle paths. * Safer sidewalks for pedestrians. * Long haul freight transportation on rail. * Incentives to reduce use of autos, such as carpool lanes, toll reductions for carpooling, reserved parking garage spaces for carpoolers, etc.
Other modes of transportation which should be mentioned, if only to say "status quo" also include
* commercial airliners * SUV vs. auto vs. hybrid safety/efficiency public policy discussion * auto rules: speed limit, drunk driving laws, gasoline tax, safety requirements, emission requirements, etc.
While I agree that an improved commuter rail and long haul rail lines are important and should be encouraged (perhaps improved/expanded on the Boston-NYC-Philly-DC-Charlotte-Atlanta-Orlando-Miami and Seattle-Portland-Sacramento-SF-San Jose-LA-San Diego lines first), it probably warrants a single paragraph, or even merely part of a paragraph on a main page dedicated to transportation issues within tUSA.
[edit] Eliminate Wasteful Investments & INNOVATE
Pete,
Please join me in pursuing this golden 21st Century opportunity in the US Senate between 2007 & 2009:
I have over 11 years of executive transportation experience, the last 8 were in global Heavy Haul & Lift and Munitions for the DOD. I believe I have the innovative answers you are seeking.
We have the technology today to restructure 50% of mass transit, globally utilizing LTA technologies using a fraction of the energy used today to perform the same task. DOD has been working on this concept to transport entire battalions, equipment, & supplies all in one movement.
Results:
(1) 25-50% reduction in fuel demand and greenhouse emissions; thus, collapsing the global price of fuel in 1 year after implementation.
Eliminate up 25% commuting to work of urban & suburban vehicle traffic and 99% of new infrastructure construction. Eliminate up to 50% of coast to coast, region to region, longhaul trucking, not to mention eliminating the US Postal ground fleet between major cities.
(2) Provides a systematic solution to supply rural communities with the delivery of goods and the pickup of manufactured goods while slashing the cost of transportation by utilizing land-to-port-to-land supply chain methodologies. Plus, much, much more.
(3) Cut global air & surface supply chain costs with an improved pickup & delivery schedule. Largest configuration can transport 1,000 tons over 100 kph or 800 mid-sized cars 4-5 times faster than container ships.
(4) Homeland Security: eliminate nuclear, hazmat, & secret military ground transport exposures to terrorist and improve public safety.
I estimate the market value of this transportation innovation to be in the trillions, globally.
Is anybody interested?
Regards, M
Mike Masters 2008 US Senate for Georgia
[edit] Dispatches
Currently, there are (3) Lighter Than Air (LTA) manufacturers that are competing for a large DOD contract, not to mention Boeing & Lockheed-Martin, which are trailing behind.
My pick happens to be in England for best performance and credentials. Current cost structure is a tad more than the cost of a Boeing 767, around $200m for the 1,000 ton model. Other smaller versions are available as well with smaller price tags.
Peacetime production is said to be (2) years, but I venture to guess with a G8 pocketbook and enough resources thrown at it could be done in 6 months, and the price cut in half.
Two parallel assembly line service crafts come to mind: Bulk Airships & Clippers. Financing, Manufacturing, & Implementation should be duplicated in each G8 nation. A fleet of BAs could be introduced in stages nation by nation based on need. Multiple fleets of Clippers is the main challenge.
These clippers would be designed for mass transit in metropolitan cities for hauling both people & freight as a dual purpose configuration or a single purpose configuration. Commuter Clippers would accommodate the commuter with many of the services already found in concourses to and from their destinations.
Freight Clippers would support the rural, suburban, & urban areas much like the Cargo container supply chain method of today; thus, replacing most overlapping local & regional trucking. Plus, delivering a cost effective transportation solution for rural manufacturing to the market, better than the old train days.
Added bonus: all Clipper & Bulk Airships would open a new market delivery system to the advertising industry... major value here.
Bulk Airships can transport perishables without refrigeration over vast distances... big value here too.
Best of all, wasted dollars on infrastructure can be channeled to this new mode of transportation for centuries to come and promote broadband commerce & tourism.
The Zeppelins are back with a vengeance without Hydrogen -- today they use Helium. A RPG rocket launcher won't even discharge inside one of these things... they have been very busy trying to blow it up for the DOD folks.
[edit] The Railroad Boys
[Forbes Feb 13, 2006 Issue: Riding the New Rail Boom - Pls forward to Goode & Moorman]
