BIKE: Rail Issues (3)

[Patrick Goetz]

Nawdry wrote:
> This does not mean that LRT is a substitute for these cities' core rapid 
> transit systems, but it does suggest that, even with grade-separated 
> rapid transit, modern European cities recognize the effectiveness and 
> usefulness of surface-based LRT systems - in these cases, as 
> supplementary high-quality public transport systems.

My point exactly.  Thank you.  This is why Austin (and Houston, for that 
matter) need a "core rapid transit system" -- i.e. a Metro -- before 
even thinking about a surface rail system.  I'm not excited about 
surface rail for all the reasons mentioned previously, but would be 
willing to live with and support it if we had the kind of land use and 
transit-orientation to support it. We need a Metro first, though.  In 
point of fact, I never use the trams in the European cities I visit, but 
do use the subways and elevated trains.  As a bicyclist, I'm quite sure 
I'd never use them if I lived there, either, except perhaps when it's 20 
below, or colder.

As for Lyndon's other assertions, I don't have the time or energy to 
respond to every point.  I don't recall ever championing Bombardier, nor 
being a fan of automated systems, and the jury is still out on the LVM. 
  I'm still 100% certain this system will be a great success within the 
next 12 months despite the high level of corruption involved in its 
deployment.  Lyndon's comments about the Seattle monorail are just sad 
-- feel free to research this issue yourself.

I've been on the Frankfurt U-bahn several times, and the core sections 
are subway  with some parts elevated, as I remember, although this isn't 
indicated on the map.  The newest lines (U6 and U7) are also subway. 
It's only out in the "suburbs" that it switches to being a surface rail 
system.  I've been on this train several times and never once 
encountered a surface rail section, hence didn't even know they existed. 
  (http://www.urbanrail.net/eu/ffm/frankfrt.htm)  I can't speak to every 
city for which Lyndon claims "LRT systems ARE the core rail transit 
systems", but based on the example of Frankfurt, I suggest the reader 
take his examples with a grain of salt.