The Next Bubble...

Ok, I was going to write this post a long time ago, but I never got around to it.

So, we know now that the housing market was in fact a bubble and that homes were greatly over-valued, etc.

Well, we here in the United States have quite a few bubbles that are still waiting to burst, in my opinion.

One such bubble could be that of our infrastructure. How can something like infrastructure possibly be considered a bubble, you ask? After all, it is in dire need of repair and maintenance...

That's just it though... Take transportation infrastructure. Since people and jobs keep moving, the infrastructure constantly needs to be built and re-built. This is a great stimulus for contractors and design firms who will always have a source of projects.

Here's the bubble part: There is an industry that is motivated to keep designing and building more and more roads, rails, transit, etc. The problem now is that resources (especially public funds) are and should be much more scrutinized. Have we built too much infrastructure to be sustainable without devouring vast budgets or begging the feds for stimulus? Eventually the public will realize that maybe people got a little overambitious with projects and need to cut back. Is building a million or billion dollar roadway project really worth it to "save" 5 minutes off of everyone's commute? How much additional revenue will really be generated? Is anyone following up on the accuracy of the studies making claims of the merits of various projects?
What happens when gas prices go sky-high and demand for roads are reduced? What happens when a town's population and tax base decrease leaving crumbling roads as a reminder?

True, big projects are monuments to engineering... but what people need is everyday functionality and economy of which they can still be proud. The re-phasing of an intersection or a well-placed sidewalk can be so much more valuable than a new interchange.

We can keep adding lanes and treating symptoms while spending more and more resources with each expansion, or we can get creative, get back to basics and work with what we've got. Instead of adding lanes, why can 't we add reliable (maybe even profitable!) transit service? If a road is not that important, pave it less or downgrade it--maybe turn it into a bicycle-highway. No one likes to move backward, but in tight times, we need to move back to reality to move forward. Then we can focus our resources on the really critical, most-bang-for-our-buck, infrastructure.

If we want to be smart and sustainable about the way we are investing our resources in infrastructure, then we need to stop building throw-away roads, throw-away houses, and throw-away suburbs.--I'll ponder this more in a future post.

What do you all think?

Time for private companies to fill the public transportation gap?

With gas prices skyrocketing and more people looking to ditch their cars in any way possible, it's a shame that so many public transit agencies are short for the cash they need to improve operations and infrastructure. Freight rail companies are now enjoying an increase in their freight rail business.

What I'm wondering is, why don't some railroads try their hand at some regular passenger rail service again? Is there just too much red tape or are the freight companies perhaps unwilling to sacrifice their level of freight service? At any rate, I think now would be a great time for some forward-thinking railroads to look into the possibility of operating some small-time commuter rail service along some strategic routes.

Is it a simple matter of getting some used rail coaches and installing a few parking lots and platforms? I'm guessing it's a lot more complicated than that (passenger cars need power, while boxcars don't).

There are likely a lot of logistical issues, but I think certain railroads could at least consider the possibility of providing some commuter rail links where state-run agencies are behind due to funding issues and heavy regulations.

Anyway, it's perhaps wishful thinking at this point. What do you think? Feel free to post a response.

Selling Out for Sameness

How many streetlights do you count?

I have no idea how many streetlights there are in this photo, but I know there are enough to light up the night sky for miles around. Now, how many feet of sidewalk do you see in this photo? Bike lanes? Charming family-owned restaurants? Uniquely memorable street corners?

Well, I think you get the point. Sprawl is a problem that plagues many parts of the US, including Columbus, OH (this particular picture). Only after living in New England for the past 13 years do I realize just how much I appreciate the diversified transportation options, uniqueness of space, and locally-owned businesses found in this region of the country.

When I go back and visit parts of the country like those in the picture above, I am deeply saddened (and sickened) as I see the people of this great country trading in the heart and soul of their communities for commercialization and sameness. Obviously, this did not happen overnight--no one would have stood for that. Nevertheless, it seems that many people have decided that they'd rather eat OK food that tastes the same in California or Ohio than find the best meal ever after trying a few local places.

I'm not sure if these attitudes are simply generational, but it is my hope that they are changing. I know it sounds trite but ,"Variety is the spice of life."

Further, since when should it be easier to drive to the corner store than it is to walk? Columbus, OH has excellent roads, but without a car, you can't get anywhere (buses don't count). In my mind, that is a failed transportation system. I made the mistake of attempting to go for a run around the area in that picture, and all got was a heap of frustration and a piece of glass in my shoe (fortunately, no cuts). In order to stay fit, people have to get in their car and drive to a park or gym. What a waste! It's no wonder us Americans have an obesity problem; our communities cater to obesity (pun intended).

The development in that picture has been built within the past few years, and it is still under construction in places. The people designing/approving/building it know better, but the culture seems to allow corners to be cut when it comes to transportation options and livability. Why are we shooting ourselves in the foot?

Thankfully, there seems to be smart development spreading. So there is hope.

Where do you think we are headed? What's it like in your neck of the woods?

Inaugural Post

Hello and welcome to Derailed Perspective. This is the place where you get to step back and get a fresh perspective on well... anything. It is my hope that this blog causes people to think outside the box and outside their boxes. The beauty of this is that it is a two-way street. Your replies will allow me to see another angle on whatever the subject happens to be!

To better understand our world, we must see it from many angles. By knowing where we're coming from, we can figure out where to go. So, let's get started!