June 8, 20223 yr 2 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said: Animated gifs are great explainers I get the math. But the GIF was deliberately designed to eliminate the context of why we have spent trillions on streets and not those other things. Also, 9000 people per hour on a sidewalk might happen in NYC and 7500 per hour on a bike lane might happen in Amsterdam; I guarantee you it doesn't happen in Akron, not even during the Towpath Century ride.
June 8, 20223 yr 30 minutes ago, Gramarye said: But the GIF was deliberately designed to eliminate the context of why we have spent trillions on streets and not those other things. Also, 9000 people per hour on a sidewalk might happen in NYC and 7500 per hour on a bike lane might happen in Amsterdam; I guarantee you it doesn't happen in Akron, not even during the Towpath Century ride. Of course, it depends on context -- spending money on a bike lane is still more efficient than a car lane in an urban area like Akron, not so much in Columbia Station. But if you have a problem with "traffic not moving fast enough" it seems like it would be more efficient to spend your money on alternative modes of travel than another car lane.
June 8, 20223 yr 4 hours ago, Gramarye said: I get the math. But the GIF was deliberately designed to eliminate the context of why we have spent trillions on streets and not those other things. Also, 9000 people per hour on a sidewalk might happen in NYC and 7500 per hour on a bike lane might happen in Amsterdam; I guarantee you it doesn't happen in Akron, not even during the Towpath Century ride. The critique of sidewalks being underutilized also applies to most roads. The vast majority are carrying many fewer vehicles than their capacity. But they are much more expensive to maintain than sidewalks or protected bike lanes. Nearly all forms of transportation are subsidized. (The only exceptions are a few high speed rail lines and maybe a couple metro systems.) With that in mind, it is extremely important to have honest conversations that fully account for all the public and private expenses, and the externalities, of each form of transportation in order to make well informed decisions about the spending of government dollars. Focusing nearly all of our public spending on roads results in a spectacularly inefficient system that is hard for governments to maintain AND pushes significant costs to citizens AND dramatically increases our societal health care costs (because of reduced walking). What we want to see is more balanced spending on transportation that appropriately factors all of those elements in. And we don’t have to fix everything all at once! We just need to be making progress. As an example, the residential development of Cleveland’s near West side, downtown, and the University Circle area will result in a dramatical reduction in vehicle-miles-traveled, because at least some portion of those residents would have otherwise lived in the suburbs. I keep thinking about how many more apartments would be reasonable in those neighborhoods if we had a better transportation system in place. That’s a future worth working towards. When is the last time I-71 turned a profit?
June 9, 20223 yr 23 hours ago, Foraker said: Of course, it depends on context -- spending money on a bike lane is still more efficient than a car lane in an urban area like Akron, not so much in Columbia Station. But if you have a problem with "traffic not moving fast enough" it seems like it would be more efficient to spend your money on alternative modes of travel than another car lane. Exactly. Amsterdam is consistently rated as one of the best cities for drivers. It's because of its excellent transit and cycling infrastructure, so local streets and roads rarely clog with cars. It's a relatively equal choice between the three modes. As for walking, architecture and design make a difference. People walk where it is both comfortable and interesting. In Akron, the few blocks that make up the downtown core attract pedestrians, but you don't have to venture very far from there for the walking environment to become boring and oppressive. Other examples: It's no surprise that the #1 tourist destination in Texas is the San Antonio Riverwalk. It's also no surprise that (so I'm told), during the good weather months it's difficult to impossible to find parking within a half-mile of downtown Kent on a Friday or Saturday evening. Create a space that is comfortable to be in, and people just go, because they like it.
June 9, 20223 yr 20 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said: Focusing nearly all of our public spending on roads results in a spectacularly inefficient system that is hard for governments to maintain AND pushes significant costs to citizens AND dramatically increases our societal health care costs (because of reduced walking). I would add that air pollution and noise affect health too. We all know that asthma rates, for example, are worse in urban and traffic-heavy areas. As for noise, there is more and more research coming out about the effect of noise on health. It creates stress, higher cortisol levels, etc.
June 10, 20223 yr Regarding the municipal accounting issue: In local government accounting, the information necessary for honest evaluation of the true financial health of our local governments is buried or excluded. This hurts us all... ...Most state and local governments in the U.S. are required to pass a balanced budget. However, a budget that fits the statutory definition of a “balanced budget” (following GASB guidelines) may not, in fact, be financially sustainable. A more appropriate goal, according to the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) should be a structurally balanced budget, defined as a budget where recurring revenues are sufficient to cover recurring expenses. Yet the data needed to determine recurring and future revenue and expenses is not clearly presented in most government financial reports... ...In the coming months, Strong Towns will provide data, resources, and tools to help you make sense of your local budgets, and empower you with the information to help you ask the right questions, evaluate options, and make better decisions about how to build prosperity in your town... https://www.strongtowns.org/journal/2022/6/8/mds2022-your-citys-accounting-is-unnecessarily-obscure-its-time-to-pull-back-the-veil?utm_content=buffer122dc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer
June 16, 20222 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
June 19, 20222 yr This is true because you choose this lifestyle and keep paying higher prices. When you you stop paying is when the market price has been exceeded. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 8, 20222 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
July 25, 20222 yr America's toxic hyper-individualism + car dependency = this.... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
August 16, 20222 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 5, 20222 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
September 7, 20222 yr 11 minutes ago, DarkandStormy said: The taxes per acre must be dwarfed by the infrastructure maintenance costs per acre!
September 8, 20222 yr 13 hours ago, DarkandStormy said: And I'm willing to bet a fortune that people in Columbus will still complain about "lack of parking"
September 25, 20222 yr California Just Struck a Major Blow to Car Culture By decoupling parking from new residential construction, its new law could reduce housing costs, too. ABIGAIL WEINBERG For decades, many California cities, like Los Angeles and San Diego, have been synonymous with sprawl. But by eliminating parking minimums in areas near public transit, the Golden State just took a major step to change that. Barring a few progressive exceptions, most California cities required all new construction to include a certain number of parking spaces. This didn’t just encourage people to drive everywhere—it also inflated the cost of housing, since a single parking space can cost tens of thousands of dollars to build. Yesterday, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law AB 2097, which will ban parking requirements for new housing within a half-mile of public transit, effectively eliminating parking minimums in large swaths of California’s cities. In a statement announcing the new law, Newsom linked the housing shortage to the climate crisis, noting that the farther people have to commute every day, the higher their greenhouse-gas emissions. Thanks to AB 2097, he said, “We’re making it cheaper and easier to build new housing near daily destinations like jobs and grocery stores and schools. This means more housing at lower prices, closer to walkable neighborhoods and public transit.” https://www.motherjones.com/environment/2022/09/california-gavin-newsom-ab-2097-housing-parking-car-culture/
October 12, 20222 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 5, 20222 yr People in Ohio don't get that those trucks are aimed at and made for people in Texas. They barely fit on our rural roads. On some they just don't.
November 8, 20222 yr Americans are outcasts "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 20222 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
November 18, 20222 yr 2 hours ago, KJP said: Cute, but does it reinforce stereotypes about overcrowding and unpleasantness of buses?
November 23, 20222 yr On 11/18/2022 at 4:17 PM, Foraker said: Cute, but does it reinforce stereotypes about overcrowding and unpleasantness of buses? Only if cars keep dominating our public spaces. And since Americans need a monetary reason to care... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
December 27, 20222 yr Seen on Twitter... How to explain car-oriented transportation planning: “Welcome to the restaurant. Let me tell you about our menu. Pizza is all-you-can-eat, and it’s free. Everything else costs $50 each, is a tiny portion, and takes 8 hours to prepare. So, what can I get you?” "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 18, 20232 yr "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
January 27, 20232 yr This is a fantastic idea that apparently has been around for a while. I wasn't aware of any major cities in Ohio with a program like this, but Toledo has a downtown district where golf carts can legally drive in the street, and there is an essentially-free golf cart taxi service in the downtown area! It may have been reported here before, but it bears revisiting. (Hey, 3Cs... you want to make downtown living better?) Quote Ordinance 500-18 establishes boundaries in Point Place, the Old West End, and the Downtown area for the operation of golf carts on city streets. City council members voted to eliminate those boundaries and allow for the operation of golf carts on all city streets that have a speed limit of 35 mph or less. Golf carts must be inspected and meet certain conditions in order to be on the road. https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/golf-carts-allowed-toledo-city-streets-35-mph-lower/512-dc672c40-8150-499d-b743-cc8ba75d46c7 Quote T-Town Caddy, which provides a free shuttle service in downtown Toledo and adjacent neighborhoods, will now offer rides on modified carts capable of transporting wheelchairs and service animals. https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2019/04/16/downtown-toledo-golf-cart-shuttle-wheelchair-accessible-options/stories/20190416157 Quote The carts are equipped with fun, multi-color lighting, speakers for music, and we can operate rain, snow, or shine due to our weatherproof covers and heat! Our fleet of micro-transportation vehicles travel around, taking our customers to their favorite hot spots from the Old West End, downtown restaurants and bars, and The Docks for tips! ($5 min) https://www.ttowncaddy.com/
February 3, 20232 yr Wow "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 4, 20232 yr People really underestimate their ability to cause an accident as opposed to them being hit by someone randomly. It never crosses their mind that big stuff like SUVs and trucks are more likely to be in single-vehicle accidents, hit other vehicles and turn over. And they carry more momentum when they crash which increases crash severity. And they are more likely to be hit by others since they take up more space.
February 4, 20232 yr On my recent attempt to drive home on the toll road to Ohio during the terrible bliizzard in Northern Indiana on the Friday before xmas, there were hundreds of vehicles skidded into the side of the road and in the median. Anything top heavy was on its side or upside down. I did not see one sedan that had flipped. Mind you traffic was lucky to be going about 20mph in those conditions so it wasn't speed. It was simply the downward elevation change from the road bed. Shuddered thinking about how those tall vehicles probably had children in them, as opposed to sedans with mostly one or two people in them.
February 4, 20232 yr Ironically, European pedestrian safety standards have probably contributed to this problem for even for normal cars. The high/blocky hoods so common nowadays are a direct result of meeting these standards. It's a tough compromise, the cars are safer for adult pedestrians at the cost of being able to easily see children. Very glad our crossover has a front camera on the grille that works at low speeds pretty much the same way a back camera usually does, widespread adoption of these and object detection sensors would help considerably. Unnecessarily giant pickups are a different problem, it would be nice to see some sort of standards set for forward visibility. While we're at it, set some standards for how much damage such vehicles cause to smaller vehicles in an collision.
February 4, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, mrCharlie said: Ironically, European pedestrian safety standards have probably contributed to this problem for even for normal cars. The high/blocky hoods so common nowadays are a direct result of meeting these standards. It's a tough compromise, the cars are safer for adult pedestrians at the cost of being able to easily see children. Very glad our crossover has a front camera on the grille that works at low speeds pretty much the same way a back camera usually does, widespread adoption of these and object detection sensors would help considerably. Unnecessarily giant pickups are a different problem, it would be nice to see some sort of standards set for forward visibility. While we're at it, set some standards for how much damage such vehicles cause to smaller vehicles in an collision. How are high/blocky hoods safer for adult pedestrians?
February 4, 20232 yr 1 minute ago, X said: How are high/blocky hoods safer for adult pedestrians? Yeah, that doesn't make sense. I think I'd rather roll off the hood of a low profile vehicle than slammed by a truck with a FORD emblem bigger than my head.
February 4, 20232 yr The European "blocky" pedestrian standard is a bit of a myth since cars sold in America are not subject to them and there are plenty of supercars sold in Europe such as Lamborghinis and Ferraris that clearly would not comply. What the European standards do is forbid cars that would break people's legs off such as an '82 Firebird or an ACR Dodge Viper with the front splitter attached. While SUVs and crossovers do sell better in Europe than in the past, they are subject to engine displacement tax that punishes large engines in a way that the US tax system doesn't. That makes them less desirable.
February 4, 20232 yr 13 hours ago, metrocity said: On my recent attempt to drive home on the toll road to Ohio during the terrible bliizzard in Northern Indiana on the Friday before xmas, there were hundreds of vehicles skidded into the side of the road and in the median. Anything top heavy was on its side or upside down. I did not see one sedan that had flipped. Mind you traffic was lucky to be going about 20mph in those conditions so it wasn't speed. It was simply the downward elevation change from the road bed This may also have something to do with people who drive huge pickup trucks and SUVs do not know how to safely handle their vehicle in snow and somehow thing because they are big and 4 wheel drive that they can do whatever they want. While it's not shocking since the majority of Americans never see, let alone drive a stick shift car, I'm amazed at the number of people who only use "D" on their automatic transmissions. I still drive my car like a manual (8 speed automatic), and more so in snow and ice conditions.
February 4, 20232 yr 11 hours ago, metrocity said: Yeah, that doesn't make sense. I think I'd rather roll off the hood of a low profile vehicle than slammed by a truck with a FORD emblem bigger than my head. They found low bumpers caused people to get swept onto the car, smashing their head on the hood or windshield. The goal of the Euro safety standards was to raise the impact point of the bumper on your leg where you can take a greater force. It also reduces the chance of hitting your head on the hood and windshield. It was targeted mostly at sedans and hatchbacks. Edited February 4, 20232 yr by Mendo
February 4, 20232 yr Since the supercars have such long hoods the idea is that people will slide up instead of get hit directly I guess. Vs. getting hit by an old Mini where the windshield would bash straight into you.
February 4, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, Mendo said: They found low bumpers caused people to get swept onto the car, smashing their head on the hood or windshield. The goal of the Euro safety standards was to raise the impact point of the bumper on your leg where you can take a greater force. It also reduces the chance of hitting your head on the hood and windshield. It was targeted mostly at sedans and hatchbacks. It looks more like the real goal was to give the hood area extra interior space so that when your head hits it in a crash, the hood deforms, decelerating your head in a controlled manner, without hitting the engine block below, which causes too rapid a deceleration and thus brain trauma. I looked at several sources and they give different hood height adjustments for this, from 20 mm to 10 cm. Either way, this isn't the problem with SUV's and pickups.
February 4, 20232 yr Ah, supercars are mid-engine so therefore the head gets hit by the relatively soft frunk.
February 4, 20232 yr 47 minutes ago, X said: Either way, this isn't the problem with SUV's and pickups. No argument there. The Euro standard gets blamed way too often.
February 4, 20232 yr 1 hour ago, GCrites80s said: Ah, supercars are mid-engine so therefore the head gets hit by the relatively soft frunk. Yeah, but there are still some issues with the windshield and windshield wiper motors, apparently.
February 5, 20232 yr Yeah sorry, should have been a bit more specific about the Euro standards changing the design of smaller cars (and no doubt some crossovers), particular anything sold across multiple markets. Looking at (for instance, because I'm familiar with them) a 2000s Subaru vs the same model from the 2010's, you'll see a much higher, flatter, blocker hood. This is directly the result of meeting pedestrian impact standard standards, the difference in forward visibility between generations is quite noticeable, and it certainly hasn't done the styling of these cars any favors. Couldn't agree more this isn't the reason for ridiculous SUV and pickup forward visibility.
February 5, 20232 yr Not to nitpick (again) but the Subaru horizontally opposed engines should have no problem being 10cm below the hood line even without raising it since they're so much lower than a V or inline.
February 5, 20232 yr 6 minutes ago, GCrites80s said: Not to nitpick (again) but the Subaru horizontally opposed engines should have no problem being 10cm below the hood line even without raising it since they're so much lower than a V or inline. A lot of the accessories on Subaru engines are (or were) top mounted, and the standard is any hard impact point. I suspect in the case of Subarus, the changes are more related to impact height and are quite pronounced because of how low the hoods were previously. I'm certainly not saying the pedestrian impact standards are a bad thing, but reduced forward visibility is definitely a side-effect. Other otherwise very beneficial safety standards (rollover and side impact standards) have had similar side effects on outward visibility (higher beltlines, thicker pillars). Unfortunately this makes a lot of modern small cars feel claustrophobic and difficult to see out of, less of a problem for crossovers and SUVs with their more upright seating and taller windows. I suspect this could be one of the contributing factors (along with the snowball effect - getting a taller vehicle to see over the other taller vehicles) pushing people towards towards larger, higher vehicles.
February 5, 20232 yr Yup "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
February 5, 20232 yr A lot of the most recent designs do have smaller pillars and lower door lines (such as the 2018+ Accord) but it will take a while for the design elements to propagate through all model lines and even longer for the perceptions to change regarding "small car = gunslit windows". Personally I don't like those upright seating positions. They make me feel like I'm driving a bar stool.
February 6, 20232 yr On 1/27/2023 at 5:04 PM, Foraker said: This is a fantastic idea that apparently has been around for a while. I wasn't aware of any major cities in Ohio with a program like this, but Toledo has a downtown district where golf carts can legally drive in the street, and there is an essentially-free golf cart taxi service in the downtown area! It may have been reported here before, but it bears revisiting. (Hey, 3Cs... you want to make downtown living better?) https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/golf-carts-allowed-toledo-city-streets-35-mph-lower/512-dc672c40-8150-499d-b743-cc8ba75d46c7 https://www.toledoblade.com/local/community-events/2019/04/16/downtown-toledo-golf-cart-shuttle-wheelchair-accessible-options/stories/20190416157 https://www.ttowncaddy.com/ I live in this area, and the golf carts are very popular in the Old West End during summer, and many families rent them for the Old West End Festival weekend (always the first weekend in June - come visit!)
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