cartky.org

If you give people nothing, they will go into the street.

Here's a sketch solution that gives the citizens of Louisville the same protection we give our road workers. This doesn't have to be the solution, but it seems workable based on my four visits to the site:

[editor's note: CART does not endorse candidates. Nevertheless, we view discussion of the proposal put forward yesterday as well within the scope of our organization]

Thursday, Dr Daniel Mongiardo gave a presentation to the CART membership calling for a massive investment in public transportation both state-wide and locally. This article deals with the first phase of the local plan, specifically, the construction of rapid access monorail (RAM) serving Louisville.

RAM cars are about the size of a van, with a seated capacity of 12 people, or a standing capacity of about 30 people. From a user's perspective, riding RAM is about like an elevator - you step in, after some seconds the doors close, and you're on your way. Peak speed is in excess of 50mph. The RAM sits atop a lean rail on a concrete pylon. The pylon is fairly compact, maybe a large telephone pole.

1800-2000

Source: U.S. Census

Rail Historian R. D. Schooling sends along this graph of Louisville's population. Note that this graphs the old city limits.

Amazing to see that our density has almost been cut in half since 1960. Also interesting to see that this trend has essentially played itself out. 2010 might be the last census in which Louisville's old city limits lose population. What then?

Photo deep-linked from the Courier-Journal

The Courier-Journal posted this story yesterday about the convtroversy over the ad benches that have been appearing along Louisville's state highways. 

The Cincinatti company claims they are aboveboard and have their ducks in a row:

Bruce Graumlich, president of the Bench Billboard Co., said he would only answer questions posed in writing. He said that his company has “sought and received permits” for the benches and that all are “lawfully placed.”

However, the benches, which have been placed on state highways, are not permitted, says KYTC:

CART joins many other organizations to call attention to KIPDA's bone-headed choice of location for their new headquarters. 2pm. On the sidewalk in front of Shelbyville Road Plaza. More info on the issue.

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has changed its policy (2p pdf) to cautiously endorse Modern Roundabouts. The Modern Roundabout is an intersection technology like "4-way stop" and "stop lights". However, in some places it will outperform these older technologies in almost every way.

Says "Making Places":

It turns out that roundabouts may be part of the panacea for our greatest traffic woes. Across America, towns and cities of all shapes and sizes have been choosing modern roundabouts over antiquated signalization equipment and expensive grade separated interchanges. The choice of a roundabout, or a modern roundabout, rather, makes sense for several reasons: they have proven to improve the flow of traffic, reduce cost, improve safety, and enhance the quality of place.

The roundabout in the video is right here in Kentucky, at Norton Commons. I rode it and it was a lot of fun. I'm so well-trained to STOP at intersections, it took concious effort to roll through the YIELD sign the first few times. The biggest revalation was just how relaxed everyone was about driving there. There were no Leadfoot Louies gunning it for the lights.

Read More to Learn Why is there no Truck in this picture!

East Bay Express unloads on the anti-condo crowd:

If you live in an urban area, you can't call yourself an "environmentalist" and continue to act like a NIMBY by blocking new housing.

I can feel the finger-wagging from here. Consider this an ad-hoc 4th installment in the SFBay Lessons series - this one talking about land use. Though the article is preachy, that fits right in with the series so far.

[Ed's Note: Copied & pasted from Steve Davis's article at Transportation for America.]

In the revolutionary transportation bill of 1991, Congress officially declared that Eisenhower’s Interstate Highway System had been completed, signaling an end to one of the greatest national investments in history. Unfortunately, we didn’t have a new national vision to take it’s place, and our transportation system has been operating as a ship without a rudder since.

We’re in desperate need of an overarching strategy that determines when, how, and where transportation dollars are spent. As of now, we have no firm plan. No vision. No goal for what the billions in taxpayer dollars should accomplish. That can all change with the National Transportation Objectives Act of 2009 introduced last week by three members of the U.S. House of Representatives, Russ Carnahan (D-MO), Rush Holt (D-NJ), and Jay Inslee (D-WA).

These three Representatives made a great step towards a 21st Century transportation system by introducing this bill, but this legislation needs us to stand behind it to have a real impact. Let’s send a message to Congress loud and clear that this is the kind of vision the American people support.

(from Bike Louisville & Business First of Louisville) "Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government is seeking public input on a plan to preserve River Road and improve accessibility for bicyclists, walkers and joggers.

The meeting, part of a yearlong study led by Gresham, Smith and Partners, is scheduled for June 16^th, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Gingerwoods Event Hall, [next to Henry's Ark] 7611 Rose Island Road. The study concerns a seven-mile stretch of River Road, from Zorn Avenue to U.S. 42.

[update] See the River Road Scenic Byway Corridor Improvement Study (3.1 MB PDF file)

I'd rate this article Must Read: "Louisville: A Tale of Two Cities".

Urbanophile, a highly respected regional blogger, takes on the Ohio River Bridges project. He makes some great points. I refer you to his article and 8664's review of it.

Edit: fixed typeo in title: "Urbanophile siezes up Ohio River Bridges, 8664", heh heh.