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Finding the Choice Riders
This post is a response to some comments on the open suggestions thread that run along the lines of “why are we shafting bus riders by putting all our resources into rail?” While I’m an enthusiastic supporter of continuing to expand the rail system (because it helps drive the long-term land use pattern that I…
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Task Force Looks at Tolling I-5 Crossing
The Oregonian reports that tolls for a new Columbia Crossing could be as high as $5/day for peak period crossings. Outside of peak hours the rate would be significantly lower. Will the driving public accept this kind of toll structure for a new bridge? In news elsewhere, IBM has apparently patented the idea of variable…
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Internet Strengthens Cities?
An article from Wired Magazine suggests that the Internet is a sort of social super-glue, facilitating connections between people. As a result, they want more face-to-face contact and find it in cities. In big cities, our communication tools are especially helpful because they keep us from getting lost in the crowd (which is not something…
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Car Free Conference [in Portland] Open for Registration
Early bird discount ends February 29th. Portland, Ore. Hosts International “Towards Carfree Cities” Conference in June 2008 Participants to discuss urban livability, sustainable transportation, and alternatives to private cars PORTLAND, Ore. (January 16, 2008)—The World Carfree Network, in collaboration with SHIFT, presents the Towards Carfree Cities conference series in Portland, Ore. on June 16-20, 2008.…
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Blue Ribbon Panel Call for Gas Tax Hike Shouted Down
The “National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission” appointed by Congress two years ago recommended $285B in infrastructure spending annually for the next 25 years to deal with the deteriorating transportation system. To fund the improvements, they proposed a $0.40 increase in the Federal Gas Tax, to be phased in over several years. Remarkably,…