Author: rburkholder

  • Cost of Congestion Study: Another Perspective

    Here is why I think this is an important, possibly historic effort. For the first time in many years, leaders of both the business community and transportation agencies are sitting at the same table, in the same room, having a discussion about the issues we face as a region.

  • If You’re Happy and You Know It…

    “What does happiness have to do with transportation?” you may ask. I will tell you but first bear with me for a description of a new paradigm for public policy outlined by London School of Economics professor in his new book entitled “Happiness.” It may be hard to believe that there was a time when…

  • Peak Oil Conference in Denver

    The first national conference of the Association for the Study of Peak Oil-USA was held this weekend in Denver. I went for two reasons: first, this conference was sponsored by Denver Mayor Hickenlooper and included as attendees bankers, oil and gas company executives, as well as other elected officials; and, second, it included specific discussion…

  • Don Stathos Cycles Away

    A great friend of cycling died today. Don Stathos (that is Don standing behind Tom McCall, signing the Oregon Bicycle Bill), author of the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Bill, tireless member of the Oregon Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (over 30 years), shepherd of Oregon’s groundbreaking Bicycle lifestyle, lifelong Republican who believed in American values…

  • Population Growth and Regional Traffic

    Yesterday’s Oregonian had a good front page story on traffic, capturing the essence of the issues facing this region and others: roads filling up as population and rates of car ownership increase along with the decline of major national investment in new transportation infrastructure. Whether you think these trends are “good” or “bad” the key…