[sustran] Re: Negative thoughts on metro in general (and on from there)

[Eric Bruun]

No disagreement about that. But I didn't say that, either. I was only
reacting to Eric Britton's and a few others' comments that seemed to
say no more metros anywhere.  Eric


On Thu, 9 Mar 2000, Negron Poblete Paula wrote:

> 
> I don't think metros are the worst choice we can make, but let's get a bit real.
> Imagine a third world metropolis,which has multiple
> deficiencies: health,education, urban transport,culture, etc. Does it seem fair
> to invest a hughe amount of money in a subway system instead of investing in
> some other aspects that are equaly important? Does it sound sobad to invest in
> alternative modes like express buses or double buses?
> 
>  ___________________________
> Paula NEGRON POBLETE
> Faculte de l'Amenagement
> Universite de Montreal
> 
> On Thu, 9 Mar 2000, Eric Bruun wrote:
> 
> > 
> > 
> > Eric, et. al.
> > 
> > I don't have the time to spend either, much as I would like, but I
> > have to make a comment.
> > 
> > Up to now, I have almost always agreed with you. But "Goodbye to 
> > Metros" is a bit much. Look at productive capacity - capacity times
> > speed (Productive Capacity), to see what the investment buys - if
> > tremendous capacity over long distances in a reasonable amount of time is
> > needed - nothing can outperform them. Of course, cost is a problem, but it
> > is not true that other modes have the same performance, that is my only
> > point.  This doesn't mean they always go to the right places, have
> > the right network configuration, or are properly connected to other
> > modes, but one can say this about any proposed rail or busway investment.
> > On the other hand, since the investment is permanent, one can eventually
> > revise the connecting network to improve the overall system over time.
> > 
> > Also, if you want to make service attractive in wealthier cities, you
> > might have to invest in high performance. Parkinson's law does not
> > always hold, either. Munich has had no increase in average trip length per
> > capita for 20 years, even with massive increases in rail service.
> > The secret is to take additional measures such as pedestrian malls,
> > high parking prices, etc. to deter additional driving. 
> > 
> > Eric Bruun
> > 
> > 
> 
>