Research update

The first semester of grad school is complete! Two papers were produced, one on participatory budgeting in Peru, and the other on the economy of my hometown and whether it is truly dependent on the huge military presence there. I was really pleased with the latter paper (as was my prof :) ) and am hoping to submit it to a journal.

So, now that all of that has passed, I am beginning to think more about the urban related topics that I want to dive into deeper than I already have for an actual thesis topic. I am regularly being asked, "What is your research interest?" or "Oh, what area are you focusing on?" My usual answer is something along the lines of where public transit and community cross paths. So, the social aspect of public transit. Still, that is too broad of a research topic.

So, having said that, I am soliciting ideas. I am always writing things down when talking with someone about this. I have a list of potential ideas, and the more I read news, the more I think to myself, "Oh THIS would be neat to look at in a different angle!"

These are potential ideas that I might explore further:

• Social interactions on public transit in rural vs. urban settings. Less frequent rural transit would mean riders would most likely see each other at the same times on their commutes as opposed to urban riders who have many schedule options and more frequent transit. Does this make for more relationship building? Something along those lines...
• Do different modes of transit (rail, bus, etc) promote more social interactions?
• How do varying transit stations or stops build community? What levels of the different types of  interactions (primary, secondary, tertiary) are promoted at different transit stations and stops? How can deeper social interactions be encouraged, producing more 'community'?
• Look at some cases (if any) where more social interaction/community was created as a result of transit coming in. 
• I read this article today about sleeping on the subways in New York. VERY fascinating. I think there is possibly something else in this that could be expanded...

I realize all of these are extremely broad areas and anything that I was to write a thesis on would have to be incredibly refined and narrowed. I also fully recognize that 'community' is something that is difficult to measure or quantify. But I am simply in the exploring stage, so any direction would be much appreciated!

Here's a Christmas related photo for inspiration:

Urban Policy: "Stifling Drivers" or "Irking" Them?

This New York Times article is getting quite the buzz on the transportation twittersphere this morning.

Grist even has an argument for why it is a misleading headline.

I revisited the article and the title has been changed to reflect the print edition! I still didn't see too much of a problem with the original. I think it is appropriate to say "stifled" (in this use: suppressed, curbed, withheld), because then they will see the tram or bus getting priority passing them on the street while they're sitting there bottled up. Next time, taking transit might be a better option over driving.

Nonetheless, it is definitely a fascinating article worth checking out. Displays the differences in American transportation thinking and all of the benefits our cities are potentially passing up.

Seattle's Transit

Again, I apologize for slacking on this blog. But here's a fun post about some observations from my recent trip to Seattle:

I recently took a trip to Seattle with my best friend from back east. I have been twice before, but for no longer than a couple of hours. This time, we spent three days, two nights in downtown and played tourist the whole time. Of course, the only thing I was there for was to check out the public transit and see how it measured up.

Being versed in the transit world, I have never really heard or seen anything special about Seattle's transit other than that awful video of the bus sliding down the hill this past winter. So my expectations were little to none. However, before the trip, we tried to plan as much as possible when we thought we might need to use the transit. This proved to be difficult over the internet since it turns out that Seattle's transit is actually comprised of a number of separate agencies. So, that right there just made the task seem a bit daunting.

Fortunately, we stayed in a really nice hotel in Downtown Seattle that was relatively close to everything we planned to do and see. Therefore, we walked the majority of the time. I forced my friend to at least ride the Link light rail just once, just to say we had done it.

Seattle has a pretty impressive transit system, despite the different modes being comprised of several agencies. Sound Transit operates the Express Buses, the two Link light rail lines, and the two Sounder commuter rail lines. In the downtown core, the Link and a good portion of the express buses travel through an underground tunnel. Seattle is well known for its historical underground, which I assume has produced this neat feature for the city. You can read more about Seattle's underground here or go on the Underground Tour if you're in town. I highly recommend the corny, but informative tour.

Anyway, the transit. We decided to ride the Link light rail on the way back from the Seattle Center to our hotel, assuming it was free in the downtown zone. We were told by the concierge at the hotel that transit inside the downtown zone was free, so you would assume light rail, like Portland's MAX, would be free inside the downtown zone. Not the case. The Link costs $1.50 for the zone we were in. Luckily, I happened to have found an Orca card on the ground earlier that day that still had a $7 remaining balance. Turns out, just the buses are free in the downtown zone. Ah well. It was light rail! In a tunnel! The touristy thing to do would be to ride it, right? So we did.

The even MORE touristy thing to do is to ride the monorail. The Seattle Monorail was built during the World Exposition in 1962. And trust me, it is very 1962-ish. It's privately operated and travels between the Seattle Center and the Westlake Center Station in downtown. Did I mention it costs $4.00 and only goes between two stops? Needless to say, we didn't ride this. We just walked below its concrete pylons and stopped at various donut shops along the way. I know, very classy.

I know this is somewhat of a scattered review of Seattle's transit. We did not take any ferries or ride any buses after all. I would enjoy spending more time there and venturing outside of the downtown core to see more of the city. However, to me, the major problem I felt was a major lack of communication. Things were simply unclear. There was confusion about where stations were, what mode of transit operated in these stations, what fare card or payment to use, etc etc. It was discouraging in some ways, at least for the acting tourists that we were. A simple but challenging suggestion might be to do a little better marketing and commucation for the system and try to make things more seamless.

Eugene City Council backs EmX Extension!

From the Register-Guard:

Mayor Kitty Piercy cast the decisive vote Wednesday in favor of building a controversial rapid-transit bus line in west Eugene, breaking a 4-4 tie on the City Council over Lane Transit District’s latest EmX project.

Then, in a subsequent vote, the council voted unanimously to select Sixth and Seventh avenues as the route to run the buses from downtown to West 11th Avenue. That was a victory for those opposed to running buses on 13th Avenue to West 11th, but it would be a more expensive route for LTD to operate. LTD has said it wants the West 13th route.

“I want us to have a complete transit system,” Piercy said after the meeting, adding that EmX will address city goals regarding compact development and lower carbon emissions. “Having EmX built out is very important to me.” [...]

This is huge news for the successful Lane Transit District! It's got two more approvals to pass before being finalized, but they should be a breeze.

I am personally excited for the chosen route down 6th and 7th, as it will run right past my apartment (though who knows where I'll be when it is constructed...)!

It's down to the wire for West Eugene EmX!

This weekend, I was at the Gateway Mall and ran into the LTD booth at Springfield's Business Expo. I spoke with a wonderful representative of the agency who knew who I was before introducing myself! I was pleasantly surprised. We talked transit, EmX, high-speed rail, etc.

She made sure to point out to me that there are several key meetings coming up that ultimately determine the future of the West Eugene EmX extension, starting with the Eugene city council this Tuesday. Here's the rundown of the upcoming meetings courtesy of LTD.

Locally Preferred Alternative – Public Meeting Dates

Open House - February 8, 2011

Joint Public Hearing - February 8, 2011

Joint LPA Committee Final Recommendation - February 14, 2011

Eugene City Council Action (if not on previous date) - March 9, 2011

MPO Action at MPC - March 10, 2011

Lane Transit District Action - March 16, 2011

If all goes well, we should have a final positive decision by March! Support WEEmX!

GREAT new promo video for Lane Transit District's EmX!

Gateway/Riverbend EmX is up and running!

Lane Transit District's new Emerald Express bus rapid transit line is up and running as of this past Sunday! The second of many planned EmX line in Lane County connects Downtown Springfield with the Gateway Mall and Riverbend areas of Springfield.

This week, I took a ride on the new line with a few of my coworkers. We rode the entire length of the Gateway line, and I just wanted to observe the way the line functions and interacts with vehicle traffic and the neighborhoods it traverses.
One interesting feature of the new line, is the alternating loop. As buses leave the Springfield Station heading north, the digital route display on each bus reads either Riverbend/Gateway or Gateway/Riverbend, denoting the direction the bus will travel in the loop. Just north of Hayden Bridge Station, there is a roundabout intersection that incorporates the EmX excellently into general traffic. At this point, the bus either goes north to Riverbend or west toward Gateway. Hopefully, if you're going to Pheasant Station, you don't take the Riverbend/Gateway line. I can see how this can easily confuse riders, and The Transport Politic mentions this in their write up of the new line. I hope this becomes clear to riders after ridership becomes regular, but as a start, it caught me off guard and took some figuring out.

There is also good incorporation through the Pioneer Parkway corridor with bike and pedestrian paths with new signalized crossings at bus intersections and main road intersections.

With the opening of the Gateway extension, it now only requires around 20-25 minutes to get from Downtown Eugene to the Gateway Mall on the EmX, AND there is no transfer required! There is 60% of right-of-way reserved for this new line and priority signaling, making the interference with traffic even less, and which makes BRT lines truly successful.

Overall, this is a great addition for the new system of EmX in the Eugene/Springfield area. Downtown Springfield will benefit from the extension, Springfield as a city will benefit, and more extensions in the region will only benefit riders, neighborhoods, businesses, and quality of life even more, despite what the opposition may think.

(Top photo courtesy of @angibrauerKMTR, others from LTD.org)

In the Reader

If you're anything like me and completely nerd out over transit maps and their design, you'll enjoy this article at The City Fix about Symbolism in the Transit World: Helping You Find Your Way.

Upon moving out to Oregon, I knew that Portland was one of the most livable cities in the country. I did, however, wonder where the kids were. There aren't many, and apparently there are downsides to this in some ways. The Conservative Planner takes a look at how this is common in the top 5 livable cities in the US.

City Limits has a great story about how the Obama Administrations urban policy initiatives are really happening whether you realize it or not.

An interesting look at how planning has become faith-based by "Exorcising the Suburban Dream". I do not agree with very much of what the author suggests other than the "principles" he says are the bylaws of our generation of planners. He criticizes them, but I think they are wonderful! Ha

• Thou shalt build upon thy dwelling a porch of such magnitude that it can serve as a gathering place.
• Thou shalt construct a path of 2 cubits (approximately 4 feet) wide near thy porch for followers to meet and pray that a cul-de-sac shall not influence thy offspring.
• A place for chariots shall be placed upon the buttocks of thy dwelling. Thy chariot must not be nearer to the dwelling than 4 cubits or thee will be smitten.
• Thou shall plant a tree half a cubit from thy curb and in front of thy porch.
• Create a place for gathering no farther than 600 cubits from thy dwelling.
• Thy dwelling shall have Craftsman trim.
• The path to heaven is taken by bicycle, light rail, or walking, not by powered chariot.
• A congregant must dwell in extreme closeness to thy neighbor.

Meanwhile in Florida...

A new governor was sworn in Tuesday morning. Republican bazillionaire, Rick Scott, took the office after a $73 million campaign and a full on $3 million inauguration ceremony followed by a freezing of all new government regulation in order to "be more growth-friendly". This is stalling much needed legislation from being created to manage important environmental things like the St. Johns River water supply.

Also, at this point in the future of Florida's high-speed rail, the recommended approach is the fiscally conservative one. The plan is not perfect as I've said before, but it is meant to be a pilot for the nation, and is something.

New Gateway EmX Opening Next Week!

I am so excited for January 9th to come! Lane Transit District's second EmX line will be opening and there will be an abundance of festivities taking place that day including free rides on the successful BRT lines continuing throughout the week! I just might spend my entire workday riding the new line...

I think the thing I am most excited about is that the junction for the two lines in the bottom right corner of the map is Downtown Springfield! That's my project area! The impact that the EmX will have and already has had on the district is so significant! As stated in my letter to the Editor last week, the positive things happening in Downtown Springfield will only be reflected with yet another line out to West Eugene and the many more LTD has planned.

In the Reader

Next American City takes a look at whether a new streetcar in Downtown Atlanta can save MARTA, the region's transit system. "MARTA is the largest transit system in the country with an almost complete lack of state or regional funding—perhaps its biggest problem."

If you didn't catch my post the other day about physicist Geoffrey West solving cities through math, then you better read it and expect your mind to be blown.

Via Magazine, a publication of AAA tours several Main Streets in California and Oregon and compares them with Walt Disney's Main Street USA.

2010 Census data is out! Great news for all of us statistics nerds and planners. The APA analyzes briefly how the redistricting works and why some states gain and some lose, even though it may not look like they should.

Common Ground, the seasonal publication of the National Realtor Association, takes an in depth look at economic growth and how it is stimulated by a variety of things including transit, art, zoning, public space, and public markets, all from the perspective of a Realtor. Check it out! (PDF - May take a bit to load)

And finally, an Op-Art piece from the New York Times about the controversial bicycle lane expansions taking place the Big Apple.

Green Dragon Bus: Is EmX a foe or friend?

The BRT bus in Eugene/Springfield is nicknamed "My Green Dragon". I love this caricature of it along with this article debunking the negative myths about it's service and proposed expansions.

The High-Speed Rail and Transit Debacle

Since President Obama has been in office, there has been a massive push from many parties to establish the groundwork for a high-speed rail system here in the United States. With the admirable leadership of Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood, the funding has become available and already dispersed to construct several rail corridors as pilots for the rest of the country, one being in my homestate of Florida between Tampa and Orlando. Though this line and the others are far from perfect and only a baby step in establishing a nationwide system (which honestly, seems more and more like a farfetched dream), it is SOMETHING!

However, over the past few weeks leading up to the midterm elections and the weeks since, there has been a sudden backlash against these high-speed rail projects as well as other public transit projects within cities. This anti-transit sentiment seems to be due solely to the fact that tax dollars are required to fund these projects.

Well, DUHH!

Do these governors who actually want to give back federal dollars because they think this is a waste of taxpayer dollars really believe that things will just happen? Even with a market like this? Some solutions are to just not spend the money (even though thousands of jobs would be created...) or to put it toward something like highways. Really?

Transit is not meant to make money. It is meant to be equitable. It's purpose is to help people go from point A to point B quickly, efficiently, and sustainably. Is this something that private, deep pocketed investors can provide? Maybe. But the role of government, at least in the United States, according to the Preamble of our Constitution is to "form a more perfect Union,...insure domestic Tranquility,...promote the general Welfare..." I am pretty confident that providing decent public transit is an obligation of our government.

Now, this does not mean that we are off the hook, of course. Do we realize how much we drive and take the plane? Do we realize how dependent we have become on these things? Do we understand the impact it is having on our future? Do we know that there are alternatives, like effective transit and inter-city rail out there? Do we let our government know that we want those alternatives? Are we willing to pay a bit more in taxes? Why not?

I think our politicians and those who are afraid of taxes need to grow a pair and deal with it. Establish the proposed gas sales tax. Levy an income tax in places that don't have one (ahem...Florida...). There, I said it! Call me a socialist, but I will just refer to you as a greedy, non-communal, and blind to the fact that we're actually not the best country in the world like you continue to believe. (I probably won't do that, because I'm nice)

But really, America. I continue to be ashamed that this is even an issue.

Vancouver, BC: "A Review"

A complete last minute decision was made the night before Thanksgiving last week to make the the train trip via Amtrak Cascades up to Vancouver after spending my Thanksgiving in Portland (I currently live in Eugene). I contacted my friend (whose blog you can read here) up there in Canada to make arrangements, and before I knew it, I was about to explore one of the most amazing, or MOST amazing city I have ever set foot in.

Here's a small list of things that I found unique about the city:

Architecture: I think the most noticeable thing about downtown Vancouver is its architecture. When looking at the skyline from across Burrard Inlet or False Creek, the city center is filled with what looks like a bunch of barely different cookie cutter skyscraper condo buildings. As my friend says, "Vancouver is so dull, but it's so magical." There's no better way to say it. Vancouver is bit dull, and the winter climate doesn't make it any less so, but it is so strangely fascinating, in such a beautiful way.

Here's what I mean:

Density: Vancouver is surprisingly dense.

At 5,335 people per km2 (13,817.6 people per mi2) in 2006, Vancouver is the fifth most densely populated incorporated city with population above 500,000 in North America, after New York City, San Francisco, Mexico City, and the adjoining cities of Boston/Cambridge/Somerville. Urban planning in Vancouver is characterized by high-rise residential and mixed-use development in urban centres, as an alternative to sprawl. This has been credited in contributing to the city's high rankings in livability. (wikipedia)

I don't think much more explanation is needed. I just am always pleased with a city when people actually live and enjoy living downtown. And seeing the density of downtown Vancouver, this is clear.

SkyTrain!: Vancouver's elevated rail/subway operated by TransLink is an incredible system that links downtown with the surrounding communities. With a current daily ridership of 344,800, it is the primary mode of transit for much of the region's population. It was built for the World's Fair in 1986, Expo 86.

Now, I have never visited Vancouver before this past weekend, but the impact that the transit system has had on urban development is evident. The system has clearly become a catalyst for town centers and higher density development along the three existing lines.

Here's a map of the planned system for 2020:

Progressiveness: From an outsider's perspective, Vancouver is one of the most progressive cities I have ever seen. Just from an exploration of the city, doing my best to live for a day in the shoes of a local, it was very easy to live. I mean this in the sense that everything one might need is close. Things are accessible via foot, bike, bus, train, seabus, etc. The city seems to be thriving and continuing to mold itself in a way that every city in the world should. Hosting the 2010 Winter Olympics certainly has helped Vancouver in that direction, but it is clear that residents, visitors, and city officials are taking note that the the future must be sustainable and livable despite the cost or challenges faced.

One thing is for sure: Vancouver certainly lives up to it's title of the Most Livable City in the World.