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North South Rail Link
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Compiled by Louise Lewis, North South Rail Link Committee

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Sierra Club. To submit items to the Members' Forum, contact the Chapter Director.

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Quotes of note

"You begin to wonder if we weren't building the roads that generate the sprawl, would you need to build the roads to serve the sprawl." Hank Dittmar, Director of STPP's Quality of Life Program, The Washington Post, May 26, 1998. To obtain a copy of the article, "Is the Road to State Sprawl Paved with U.S. Highway Funds?" visit the website at www.washingtonpost.com

"The single biggest sector in North Carolina throwing money into politics is the coalition of contractors, developers, road builders, realtors, and land speculators. They're the growth and sprawl lobby." --Bob Hall, Research Director for Democracy South, a non-profit watchdog group investigating the influence of money in politics (3/14/98).

Train Ridership is Up

Ridership on the nation's intercity passenger trains increased by 5.8% in the first three months of 1998, matching a similar trend over the previous three months and resulting in an overall increase of 6.4% compared to the first half of FY97. Ridership gains were strongest in the midwest and along the east coast, and were in spite of sharp drops in gasoline prices that shift potential train passengers into autos.

Sustained passenger usage, a growing realization of Amtrak's potential for needed mobility options, as well as the promise of local economic development around revitalized rail stations has also translated into wider political support from state governments.

Costs Of Sprawl Makes National News

According to an article in this week's USA Today (4/29), "small but growing numbers of people feel so trapped by hellish commutes that they are inching back and finding refuge in older suburbs and city neighborhoods. " Despite recent U.S. Census statistics that show continuing general trends of Americans moving to "exurbs," national news stories have begun to highlight the growing awareness and resulting costs from sprawl with increasing sophistication. An article in last week's U.S. News and World Report (4/27 investigates a litany of hidden subsidies that "fuel the growth" of unplanned suburban development and note that "according to recent market research, most ordinary Americans...are increasingly fed up with the congestion and sprawling commercial development that too often come as part of the package." According to the same survey, those frustrated with strip malls and traffic jams would "in principle" prefer "neighborhoods clustered around a. village center."

That's the point of yet another USA Today article earlier this month (4/7), highlighting the so-called New Urbanist trend to retrofit suburbs with traditional town centers in places like Gainesville, Florida. Explains architect Robert Kramer: "We wanted a place where people could live and work and shop and not have to drive." That's exactly what convinced Gainesville Attorney David Coffoy to move his office to the new town center. Coffey, who lives nearby, has cut his commute from eighty minutes by car down to the three he now needs to get to work on his bicycle.

For copies of the articles visit http://www.usatoday.com and http://www.usnews.com

Increased Speed Limits Yield Increased Fatalities

A new National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report concludes the elimination of the national maximum speed limit in the 1995 NHS bill has indeed resulted in an increase in fatalities; 350 additional deaths (a 9% increase) were reported on Interstate highways in states that raised their speed limits (AASHTO Journal 4/17)...a diverse coalition of older Ohio suburban communities are lobbying to redirect state transportation spending toward existing communities to preserve farmland and revitalize existing cities and towns; according to Cleveland Heights Councilman Kenneth Montlack, "edge cities are literally created by state highway funds" (Columbus Dispatch 4/26)...Syracuse, New York's Centro bus system will finally install bike racks on 25 of its vehicles after months of campaigning by local cyclists; the move will mean that nearly 140 transit systems nationwide will have some type of bike-on-bus accommodation (Post-Standard 4/28; more info: http://www.cnywatchdog.org /jabby)...historic and active rail passenger stations in Meridian, MS, Sebring, FL, and Greensburg, PA, have been reopened after the completion of ISTEA-funded renovations; Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith was married on the station balcony the day after its opening ceremony, the newlyweds departed for their honeymoon shortly afterwards on Amtrak's Crescent train (NARP News 4/98)

U.S. Transit Ridership Continues Increase

After several years of decline in the early 1990s, public transit has shown strong increases in ridership for the second year in a row, with over 8 billion total trips in 1997, up by 2.8% from the previous year. Fourth quarter ridership gains were among the most impressive, up 4.1% over the same period in 1996. All forms of mass transit showed significant increases in 1997, with light rail ridership growing by 5.8% as a result of the popular new Dallas system as well as expanded services elsewhere. Bus ridership also continued its comeback after years of stagnation, up 3.3% over '96. Houston, New York, Orange County, CA, and St. Louis all posted bus ridership increases of 5% or more. In addition, dozens of smaller bus systems posted increases above 10%.

Trends in ridership throughout the 1980s and '90s closely mirror variations in federal transit spending as well as the price of gasoline. U.S. transit ridership reached an all time high during WWII with nearly 25 billion annual trips, bottomed out in the early 1970s before the oil crisis, and has increased slightly amidst fluctuations since then.

Detailed ridership statistics can be downloaded from the American Public Transit Association's web site: http://www.apta.com. For more information contact Amy Coggin at APTA, 202.898.4116, or via e-mail: acoggin@apta.com

Timber firms lose subsidy

Brief: House Republican leaders agreed to end a federal government 's purchaser-credit road building program, a subsidy to timber companies who buy and cut trees on federal lands (GREENLines 6/4)

Bicycle commuters on the increase

The number of bicycle commuters in the U.S. has doubled in the past eight years to a total of seven million, according to The Commuting Market, a study by Elliot Gluskin. (Connections, March 1998)

New British Study: Closing Roads Cuts Traffic

A report due to be released in the coming weeks in Britain concludes that the closure of roads in urban areas actually leads to a decrease in traffic on surrounding streets, contradicting widespread computer models used by urban planners that automatically assume increased congestion. Researchers analyzed 60 case studies in cities worldwide, finding that on average traffic decreased by 20% after roads and bridges were closed, in some cases as much as 60% After the recent closure of London's Hammersmith Bridge to all vehicles except buses and bicycles, it was found that 21% of previous auto commuters no longer drove to work.

The findings follow a major 1994 study by the British government's Standing Advisory Committee on Trunk Road Assessment that determined increases in roadway capacity actually generate more traffic The British Parliament is today (1/30) scheduled to debate a bill proposing a 10% reduction in traffic by 2010, a measure that has the support of two-thirds of MPs (The Economist 1/24). Just how this will happen is the subject of a much-anticipated Government white paper due out this spring. Prime Minister Tony Blair has already targeted traffic reduction as one of his "tough choices," signaling his commitment to the issue late last year by merging several departments into a cabinet-level Department of Environment, Transport and Regions.

For more information visit the following web sites: http://www.newscientist.com (search archives for 1/24 road closure article); http://www.foe.co.uk   and http://www.detr.gov.uk

New Roads Yield More Traffic

Do new roads really reduce traffic congestion longer-term? A major study by the British government completed two years ago decided they don't, and over 70 new road construction projects were canceled nationwide as a result. Last summer, a U.S. study added to a growing body of evidence declaring the failure of similar policies on this side of the Atlantic. The article, "Road Supply and Traffic in California Urban Areas," determined that every 10% increase in road capacity was followed by a 9% increase in traffic volume within a five year period.

The article was published in Transportation Research, Vol. 31A, No. 3, 1997, pp. 205-218. Transportation Research A is one of the more popular transportation professional journals and can be found at most transportation agencies or university libraries. Copies are also available from Elsevier Science (fee charged); call (888)437-4636, fax (212)633-3680, http://www.elsevier.com

Rails-to-Trails Seeking Clearinghouse Manager

The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is seeking a manager for the National Transportation Enhancements Clearinghouse (NTEC) in Washington, DC. The position requires a unique set of skills and offers a tremendous opportunity for someone who wants to make a major contribution to transportation reform efforts.

Job involves management of nationwide data collection project, provision of technical assistance to practitioners, marketing of services to new constituencies and venues including the internet, and supervision of one staff person . Salary in low 30s; excellent benefits. Send resume and cover letter to: Hal Hiemstra/Bob Patten; RTC, 1100 17th St NW, 10th floor, Washington, DC 20036

"Smart Growth" for Missouri

Urban sprawl has dominated post World War II development patterns across the United States. Debates over growth and development have pitted pro- and anti-growth forces against each other on the playing fields of fiscal responsibility, environmental protection, preservation of community character, economic growth, public infrastructure investment, and provision of public services. Recently, the debate has been change by the emergence of a new perspective: Smart Growth. Smart Growth makes the link between development and quality of life. Smart Growth recognizes that how buildings are built and where development takes place are the factors that make development either a community asset or liability. Smart Growth advocates seek growth and development where it will build community, protect environmental amenities, promote fiscal health and keep taxes low, maximize return on public and private investment, and encourage economic efficiency.

Smart Growth is a response to the past half century of suburb-building and city deconstructing. It is a synthesis of practices and principles, some new and some old, which have the effect of creating healthy, attractive living environments which are economically efficient fiscally sound, and environmentally responsible. Smart growth embraces concepts like "walkable" neighborhoods, reasonable mixes of land use, transit-friendly development, accommodation for bicycle and pedestrian travel, a variety of housing types and prices within neighborhoods, clustered development, integration of on-site storm water management with greenways and open space, restoration and re-use of existing buildings, re-investment in existing infrastructure, infill development, a focus on brownfield rather than greenfield development, energy- and resource-efficient buildings, and life-cycle costing of building design and components.

To learn more about Smart Growth join the Smart Growth Network, an initiative of the Environmental Protection Agency in partnership with the Urban Land Institute, International City/County Management Association, Natural Resources Defense Council, and a number of other organizations. Smart Growth Network c/o ICMA 777 North Capitol Street NE, Suite 500 Washington DC 20002-4201 Phone 202-962-3591 Fax 202-962-3500 E-mail: nsimon@icma.org

AAA Attacks Use of Transportation funds for Cyclists and Pedestrians

AAA's "Crisis Ahead" campaign is aimed at increasing federal funding for highway construction to straighten and widen smaller two-lane roads nationwide without regard to the impacts on pedestrians, bicyclists, land use, or scenic and historic concerns. Four lane roads with "gentle curves," 12 foot-wide lanes, and a roadside "clear zone" of up to 30 feet are "more forgiving of driver error, such as failure to stay in the proper lane or running off the road," explains AAA's Crisis Ahead: America's Aging Highways and Airways.

The 39 million member organization has also joined the American Highway User's Alliance, endorsing their platform attacking the 1.7% of federal transportation funds used for bicycle and pedestrian facilities through ISTEA's transportation enhancements program. "AAA simply cannot support diverting these gas tax revenues that are so desperately needed to repair our transportation system," explained AAA President Robert Darbelnet in a letter responding to a former member who had canceled her membership due to the organization's position on ISTEA.

Solutions for Traffic

Excerpts from The Economist, December 6th 1997 "Jam Today, Road Pricing Tomorrow"

"Road transport accounts for about a quarter of the manmade gases that may be contributing to global warming. … More important, and more certain, is the enormous local damage (in terms of pollution, noise, ugliness and wasted time) caused by traffic congestion -- and the great cost of the orthodox solution to that problem, which has been to keep on building roads.

"Cars in America may be 90% cleaner than they were a generation ago, but this improvement has been largely wiped out by growth. More and more rural areas are being buried under concrete in a vain attempt to tackle congestion on motorways and other major routes. The underlying problem is clear enough: cheap car-travel has been based on an illusion. Only by making drivers pay for the costs they impose on society can the demand for motoring be brought into line with restricted supply.

"If roads continue to be operated as one of the last relics of a Soviet-style command economy, then the consequence will be worsening traffic jams and eventual Bangkok-style gridlock. If, on the other hand, roads were priced like any other scarce commodity, better use would be made of existing space and the revenues raised could be used to improve public transport. "

"If road pricing is to be made politically acceptable, both the methods of charging and the use of the revenues must be easily understood and made totally transparent. Borrowing against future streams of charging revenues will allow much needed improvements in public transport to be brought forward. So long as road pacing is introduced as part of a package of other measures, then it should be possible to persuade drivers that paying is better than being stuck in ever-worsening jams."

Accessibility vs. Mobility

From Public Investment, the journal of the American Planning Association., Sept 97

In the neighborhood that stresses accessibility, residents walk to the grocery store, ride the bus or train to work, pick up the laundry on the way home from work, and bike to Saturday's errands. Residents are likely to own just one car and drive fewer than 900 miles per month. In fact, many residents don't own a car at all.

In the neighborhood that stresses mobility, residents live in a more sparsely populated setting with one-acre lots on cul-de-sacs and circuitous, two-lane roads without sidewalks. They depend on several cars to perform the same tasks that the access-rich resident performs on foot, bike, bus, or train. Mobile residents devote significant portions of their day (and their incomes) to driving to work, to the shopping mall, to schools and churches, to the park and the movies. They log thousands of miles on their cars, emit air pollutants and consume energy at an extraordinary pace.

"…Researchers have found that households in mobility-based neighborhoods in Metropolitan Chicago pay on average $662 per month for transportation, not including the capital cost of their motor vehicles. Households in a typical accessible Chicago neighborhood spend about $380 per month on transportation. If one "lived locally" and relied entirely on public transportation, almost all of that $662 per month could be saved, equaling as much as $7,000 per year."

"A 1996 Federal Transit Administration (FTA) study of the San Francisco BART system and the Portland, Oregon, MAX system found that "BART access is worth $15.78 more for every foot closer to the station on average. This means that an average home in our study area would be worth over $15,000 more if it were 1,000 feet closer to BART than its original location." (Hickling Lewis Brod 1996)."

"… closeness to highways has a negative effect on housing values within the study area.. The regression analysis shows that homes further from a highway interchange are worth $7.94 more on average for every foot further from the freeway interchange [than from their original location]. (Hickling Lewis Brod 1996)."

The Next Frontier: Environmental Discrimination

From a letter written collaboratively by six members of the environmental justice class at Greater Egleston High School to the Boston Globe 1/19/98.

"…We have learned a great deal about the dangers of burning diesel fuel which fuels MBTA buses. The tiny particles that are released into the atmosphere during combustion can cause respiratory disease and are a major trigger for asthma attacks."

"More than 500 MBTA buses are housed at the Bartlett Street, Albany Street, and Cabot bus depots, which are only three of 15 bus and truck depots located less than two miles from Dudley Square. Often-times, these buses sit idling, spewing exhaust illegally for as long as 30 minutes (Massachusetts law limits idling time to 5 minutes)."

"In addition, many out-of-service buses wind through our neighborhood every day as they make their way to MBTA garages."

"…To us it is no surprise that asthma hospitalization rates in Roxbury are five times higher than the state average."

Ohio Sierra Club Seeking Transportation Analyst

The Ohio Chapter of the Sierra Club is looking for an individual to continue its Transportation and Livable Communities Campaign. The position requires media, communications and organizing skills, as well as environmental, public policy or planning background. Salary up to $28K/yr, depending on experience, with excellent benefits. Send resume and cover letter to: Hiring Committee, Ohio Sierra Club, 145 N. High Street, Suite 409, Columbus, OH 43215.

Making It Easy to Write Congress

http://www.ifas.org/activist/

A new service, "The Electronic Activist" provides a state-by-state list of e-mail addresses for elected officials. According to Barbara Simon of the Institute for First Amendment Studies in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, the top 10 states "hit" were: California, New York, Washington, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, New Jersey, Illinois, Florida, and Massachusetts.

New High Speed Rail Equipment

From High Speed Rail, published by Amtrak, Jan 1998.

The development and manufacture of the new high-speed trainsets is in full gear. In 1997, Amtrak approved the design of the new trainsets, each of which will include two power cars, a first-class car. an elegant Cafe car and four business class coaches. The first power cars are being crafted at a plant in Plattsburgh, New York. Meanwhile, assembly of several coaches has begun in Barre, Vermont.

Built in America with domestic labor and materials, the manufacturing of the high-speed trainsets is establishing a whole new industry for the United States. In addition to the plants in New York and Vermont, additional materials are being supplied from manufacturers throughout the country.

Rail News and Trivia

Amtrak's new electric power system between New Haven and Boston will include 14,000 underground foundations and 1,500 miles of wire - enough to span the distance between Washington, DC and Denver.

Upgrade of the Northeast Corridor's high-speed track will include 140 miles of continuous welded rail and 335,000 new concrete ties.

57 bridges will have been rebuilt when the high-speed rail construction project is complete. 127 curves will be realigned to straighten track.

Amtrak earned a $1.2 million credit for its high speed trainset with Bombardier/GEC Alsthom by completing site preparation for a specialized maintenance facility at its Ivy City, Washington, D.C., coach yard ahead of schedule. Amtrak says the seven-month project, concluded in August 1997, came in under budget, injury-free, and did not affect on-time performance for the nearly 200 weekly Amtrak and commuter trains running through Ivy City yard.

A Texas study predicts by 2010, driving from San Antonio to Dallas could take longer than it did before I-35 was built. (NY Times 1/31/98).

Los Angeles' new rail system ("Blue Line") is celebrating its seventh anniversary this month, has become a victim of its own success. Ridership averages 46,000 boardings on a weekday -- about double the number who rode the trolley-like line after it opened in July 1990 as a reincarnation of the old "Red Cars." Transit officials expect ridership to grow as additional spokes of the county's rail system open up, including subway extensions to Hollywood in 1998 and North Hollywood in 2000.

The Dallas transit system (DART) reports a 44% increase in overall ridership in FY97 due in large part to the popular new light rail system; bus ridership has also increased as a result (APTA 12/22). The composite cost of owning and operating a 1997 car was 44.8 cents a mile, or $6,723 a year (AAA 1/23).

Americans now own more cars than there are licensed drivers

from Surface Transportation Policy Project's Progress, Nov/Dec 1997 Clean Cars, Smart Growth: A Necessary Partnership by Hank Dittmar, Executive Director

"Our ever expanding metropolitan areas … mean that we are driving more and farther too— an increase of almost 40 percent in the past twelve years, according to the 1995 National Personal Transportation Survey."

"Our nation 's dependency on the automobile has profound personal and environmental consequences that have been well documented in these pages. For the American family, reliance on the automobile means spiraling household budgets (owning and operating the average car costs over $6500 a year according to the AAA), increased time spent behind the wheel in congestion, frustration, stress, and road rage."

"For society as a whole, auto dependency means the loss of about 42,000 persons per year to accident fatalities and billions in working time due to auto related injuries, billions of dollars in productivity lost to congestion, a foreign trade deficit primarily caused by reliance on foreign oil and the loss of open space, farmland and scenic and historic areas to development triggered by new highway infrastructure."

"Environmental impacts include water pollution, almost fifty percent of our urban and suburban air pollution, and the loss of wetlands to road construction. As to climate change, almost one-third of our carbon dioxide emissions come from the transportation sector.

Asphalt Nation Review

"Jane Holtz Kay's book has given us a profound way of seeing the automobile's ruinous impact on American life. Asphalt Nation is terrific." Jane Jacobs, author of The Death and Life of Great American Cities.

"In one of the best books ever on the subject, Jane Holtz Kay shows how transportation policies have destroyed that elusive but crucial thing we call place. The good news is that she also shows how we can reclaim our cities and towns through preservation, good planning, and transportation policies that get us out of our cars and back onto trains, buses, bicycles --and on our feet." Richard Moe, president, National Trust for Historic Preservation.

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