[Mpls] Re: Streetcars / Broken Windows

[Mike Jensvold]

>
>         This is pretty much an urban myth- criminals stay out of Kenwood 
> because they know there's zero tolerance for them  there, not because 
> that neighborhood is well kept. The criminals that broke into a truck in 
> front of my house last night did so because there was something they 
> wanted inside and they knew the jail was full, not because they spotted a 
> few broken windows in the 'hood. Actually it helps to have a home in the 
> 'hood look sorta dumpy- the thugs won't expect anything of great value 
> inside. For that reason I have covered the BMW emblems on a couple 
> motorcycles- the local thugs thusly assume they're worthless Japanese bikes.

Yes, I generally agree, though its hard to argue against a balanced approach.



>         And streetcars are perfectly capable of high speed runs just like 
> light rail.

Well, it depends how they're designed, and we're falling into semantics, 
but the "Streetcars" that Hales talked about Went 15-30 mph versus 50 or 
more for "light rail"



>>Experience with streetcars in Portland and other American cities has 
>>shown that they attract a broad range of riders, not just the "transit 
>>dependent" as busses tend to do.
>
>         Another urban myth, thoroughly debunked by the park 'n ride lots 
> full of expensive late model cars.


Its not that rich people will never ride the bus, its that they won't 
routinely ride them to go shopping, to the park, library, etc.  The larger 
point is that a streetcar circulating in the central core would work better 
than an equivalent bus route.


>>He also pointed out the success in Portland (and the benefit for 
>>businesses) of attracting bright young people who are looking for an 
>>urban lifestyle.  He mentioned that it is possible to sit a few feet from 
>>a street car line and sip a latte, while doing the same next to a diesel 
>>bus would not be very pleasant.
>
>         How would he even know it's a diesel bus? We should be suspicious 
> of people who advocate for there own pet form of transit by taking cheap 
> shots at other's. BTW, those of us who drink real coffee enjoy big bore 
> diesel accompaniment.

You could run them on bacon grease but the point is combustion engines tend 
to be louder than electric motors.



>>In response to a question, he dismissed as impractical proposals like 
>>"personal rapid transit" (promoted by council member Zimmerman) Such 
>>automated systems have to be elevated and are difficult to access from 
>>the street, and enhancing street life is one of the main aims of public 
>>transit.  Elevated systems are unpleasant to be underneath, and have 
>>tended to destroy, rather than enhance street life.  They have failed in 
>>cities like Detroit.
>
>         Agreed, although PRT does deserve further privately funded research.

Who would stop privately funded research? (Perhaps the president might have 
deep religious convictions on transportation)



>>The question of cold weather was raised, and he said that while Portland 
>>had been unprepared for an unusually large snowfall of six inches last 
>>year, it is possible to prepare for snowfall and plow the tracks when 
>>necessary.
>
>         Streetcars have coped well with Minneapolis climate for over a 
> century. Unfortunately the same cannot be said for Metro Transit's LRT 
> lemons... Streetcars can also be locally built and rebuilt unlike Metro 
> Transit's Mexican made LRTs. In fact, we have the good fortune of having 
> one of the nations leading resources in rebuilding and operating 
> streetcars right here, the Minnesota Transportation Museum.

You may have a point but it seems too early to write them off.

Mike Jensvold

East Isles