https://austinrailnow.com/2024/12/30/utilizing-austin-central-texas-rail-resources-to-transform-public-transport/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/lrt-logo.jpgLRT-logohttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aus-lrt-sim_republic-square_atp-3.jpgAUS-LRT-SIM_Republic-Square_ATPhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/rpr_amtrak-wolverine-train-ann-arbor-stn_june-2019_mich-ctrl-lines.jpgRPR_Amtrak-Wolverine-train-Ann-Arbor-stn_June-2019_Mich-Ctrl-Lineshttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aus-lrt-sim_republic-square_atp-2.jpgAUS-LRT-SIM_Republic-Square_ATPhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aus-lrt-sim_republic-square_atp-1.jpgAUS-LRT-SIM_Republic-Square_ATPhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aus-lrt-sim_republic-square_atp.jpgAUS-LRT-SIM_Republic-Square_ATPhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/aus-lry-openday-sb-train-crestview-stn-20100322_lh.jpgaus-lry-Openday-SB-train-Crestview-stn-20100322_LHhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/usa-amtrak-aus-trn22-appr-dittmar-rd-0051-20120525_lh.jpgusa-amtrak-aus-Trn22-appr-Dittmar-Rd-0051-20120525_lh2024-12-31T20:44:17+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2024/04/23/downtown-austins-coming-light-rail-service-needs-republic-square-station/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/lrt-avg-dntn-stn-spacing-1.jpglrt-avg-dntn-stn-spacing-1https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/arn-from-daa-republic-sq-stn-access-map_annot-snip.jpgarn-from-daa-republic-sq-stn-access-map_annot-sniphttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/lrt-avg-dntn-stn-spacing.jpglrt-avg-dntn-stn-spacing2024-04-27T02:51:31+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2024/04/16/downtown-austin-alliance-proposes-additional-downtown-station/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/daa-wooldridge-stn-proposal-map.jpgDAA-Wooldridge-stn-proposal-mapWooldridge Station connectivity benefits proposed by DAA. Source: DAA via Austin Transit Partnership.2024-04-20T19:17:03+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2023/12/18/downtown-light-rail-plan-needs-more-stations/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/05_2023dec_aus-lrt-sim_guadalupe-republic-sq_atp.jpg05_2023dec_aus-lrt-sim_guadalupe-republic-sq_atp2024-04-17T19:21:16+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2022/11/20/proposed-cost-saving-light-rail-design-changes-downtown-and-south-congress-avenue/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/vkt_2_20221120_austin_lrt-s-congress_sim_g-barsky.jpgvkt_2_20221120_austin_lrt-s-congress_sim_g-barskyhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/vkt_0_20221120_aus-map2-orange-blue-line-altv-dntn-to-scongress.jpgvkt_0_20221120_aus-map2-orange-blue-line-altv-dntn-to-scongress2022-11-24T15:43:37+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2021/11/07/plan-now-for-conversion-inclusion-of-nw-corridor-red-green-lines-in-capmetros-new-light-rail-system/2021-11-07T18:33:12+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2020/11/30/success-at-last-austin-votes-to-install-light-rail-system/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/success-2_5-img_map_cmta-system-plan-approved-by-voters-20201103.jpgSuccess-2_5-img_map_CMTA-system-plan-approved-by-voters-20201103Map shows system plan of public transit system approved by Austin voters on Nov. 3rd. Graphic: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/success-0_5-img_graphic_58-yes.jpgSuccess-0_5-img_graphic_58%-YesCampaign poster for Austin's Proposition A transit ballot measure, showing LRT trains, with annotation after Nov. 3 victory. ACTPAC graphic, annotated by ARN. 2020-12-30T16:56:53+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2020/10/31/support-project-connect-mass-transit-plan-in-this-crisis-definitely-yes/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/2_0_graph_impact-prop-a-on-tax-rate.jpg2_0_graph_Impact-Prop-A-on-tax-rateActual impact of property tax rate change would average about 4% increase in total taxes. Source: City of Austin.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/0_5-img_sim_lrt-stn-abia-platform-pax.jpg0_5-img_Sim_LRT-stn-ABIA-platform-paxSimulation of light rail train serving ABIA airport station.2020-11-01T03:47:46+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2020/09/30/project-connect-plan-can-lead-the-way-toward-regional-electric-light-rail-system/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/0_5-img_aus-metro_map_austin-metro-region_arn.jpg0_5-img_AUS-metro_map_Austin-metro-region_ARNAustin metro area is a <em>regional area</em> and needs a complete, comprehensive, fully interlined <em>regional</em> electric light rail system for adequate, cost-effective mobility.2020-09-30T21:03:43+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2020/08/31/project-connects-light-rail-centered-plan-is-a-huge-step-forward/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/0_5-img_aus-lrt_sim_lrt-train-in-str-median-split-platf_prjcnct_20200831.jpg0_5-img_AUS-LRT_Sim_LRT-train-in-str-median-split-platf_PrjCnct_20200831Simulation of Austin light rail alignment in roadway median. Graphic: Project Connect.2020-09-03T17:58:20+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2020/02/29/austin-to-subway-or-not-to-subway/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/0_5-img-edited_map_downtown-tunnel_prjcnct_jan-2020.jpg0_5-img-edited_Map_Downtown-tunnel_PrjCnct_Jan-2020Map showing proposed downtown LRT subway. Source: Project Connect.2020-03-01T05:27:27+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2020/01/31/project-connect-study-ridership-potential-capacity-advantages-push-light-rail-into-lead/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/0_5-img_chart_lrt-v-brt-ridership-2040_prjcnct-20191211.jpg0_5-img_Chart_LRT-v-BRT-ridership-2040_PrjCnct-20191211Chart shows 2040 forecast ridership for both surface (top bar) and grade-separated (lower bar) options of BRT (left end of each bar) and LRT (right end of each bar). In both cases, LRT ridership substantially exceeds that of BRT. That disparity, plus capacity limitations of BRT, seem to tip scales toward LRT. Graphic: Project Connect.2020-01-31T17:37:30+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/06/28/why-light-rail-transit-is-crucial-for-the-orange-line-corridor/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/2sf2_5-img_arn_map_proposed-lrt-in-orange-line-corridor_ddobbs.jpg2sf2_5-img_ARN_map_Proposed-LRT-in-Orange-Line-corridor_DDobbsLRT in Orange Line corridor could link Tech Ridge on the north end to Southpark Meadows on the south. Map: Dave Dobbs.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/0_sf2_5-img_arn_map_proposed-lrt-starter-line-in-orange-line-corridor_ddobbs.jpg0_sf2_5-img_ARN_map_Proposed-LRT-starter-line-in-Orange-Line-corridor_DDobbsA logical and affordable first step to actually implement a bona fide "high-capacity transit" system in the Orange Line corridor could be a 6.2-mile LRT starter line from US183 to downtown. Map: Dave Dobbs.2020-01-30T21:28:57+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/12/03/project-connects-orange-line-operating-cost-assumptions-seem-to-fail-plausibility-test/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/3_5-img_table_prjcnct_om-cost-assumptions.jpg3_5-img_Table_PrjCnct_O&M-cost-assumptionsTable of O&M cost calculations from Project Connect's report. Screen capture by ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/2_5-img_graph_prjcnct-est-vs-actual-orange-line-lrt-n-brt-arn.jpg2_5-img_Graph_PrjCnct-est-vs-actual-Orange-Line-LRT-n-BRT-ARNGraphic illustration of disparity between Project Connect's O&M unit-cost estimates and actual reality of costs experienced by actual opertions of comparable peer LRT and BRT systems. Graph: ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/0_5-img_graphic_cover-prjcnct-om-cost-report-20191030.jpg0_5-img_Graphic_Cover-PrjCnct-O&M-Cost-Report-20191030Cover of Project Connect's O&M cost methodology and assumptions report. Screen capture by ARN.2019-12-04T18:53:26+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/11/26/austin-coalition-for-transit-supports-light-rail-transit-for-proposed-orange-line/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/0_5-img_act-logo-prjcnct-vision-map-orange.jpg0_5-img_ACT-logo-PrjCnct-Vision-map-OrangeACT backs light rail for Orange Line. Graphics: ACT logo, Project Connect map.2019-11-26T11:36:21+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/10/26/project-connect-orange-line-unique-purpose-and-potential/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/0_5-img-annot_projcon_map_vision-plan-with-orange-line.jpg0_5-img-annot_ProjCon_map_Vision-Plan-with-Orange-LineProject Connect's Vision Plan map shows proposed Orange Line alignment from Tech Ridge (north) to Slaughter Lane (south). Annotated by ARN.2019-10-26T11:57:00+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/09/29/an-alternative-basic-urban-rail-framework-for-austin/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/5-img_arn_map_alt-urban-rail-vision_annot4.jpg5-img_ARN_map_Alt-urban-rail-vision_annot4xxxxxx2019-09-30T10:35:14+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/08/15/blue-line-should-branch-from-orange-line-urban-rail-nix-the-redundant-infrastructure/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/5-img-x_arn_map_alt-blue-line-riverside-dean-keaton-annot.jpg5-img-x_ARN_map_Alt-Blue-Line-Riverside-Dean-Keaton-annotMap shows proposed urban rail configuration in Core Area connecting Orange Line (Tech Ridge to Slaughter Lane) with Blue Line (UT campus through Core Area and East Riverside to ABIA). Both lines would share First St. (Drake) Bridge over river, thus eliminating need for an expensive redundant Blue Line bridge. Blue Line would branch from Orange Line at Dean Keaton and at W. 4th St. to serve east side of Core Area and provide link to airport. Map: ARN.2019-08-15T18:43:09+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/07/29/future-proof-austins-mobility-with-urban-rail-not-infrastructure-for-techno-fantasies/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/5-img_graph_lrt-v-brt-op-cost-per-pax-mile.jpg5-img_Graph_LRT-v-BRT-Op-cost-per-pax-mileAverage operational cost of BRT is 11% higher than for LRT. Average costs calculated by ARN from data reported to National Transit Database, 2016.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/5-img-annot-x_arn_projcon-orange-line-in-regional-map.jpg5-img-annot-x_ARN_ProjCon-Orange-Line-in-Regional-mapOrange Line (north-south route indicated within black outline) shown within Project Connect's regional map of proposed system. Edited by ARN.2020-02-16T06:33:35+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/05/29/txdot-campo-8-billion-i-35-expansion-plan-wastes-money-and-robs-transit/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/0_se3_sim_i-35-expansion-dntn_txdot-via-auschron-screenshot.jpg0_se3_sim_I-35-expansion-dntn_TxDOT-via-AusChron-screenshotTxDOT rendering of I-35 expansion project through downtown Austin. Screenshot from TxDOT video via Austin Chronicle.2019-05-29T19:55:58+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/01/30/another-possible-design-for-light-rail-in-guadalupe-lamar-corridor/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/15b_arn_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-nlamar-crestview-2015_andrew-mayer.jpg15B_ARN_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-NLamar-Crestview-2015_Andrew-MayerProposed typical LRT alignment at Crestview. Graphic: Andrew Mayer. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/15a_arn_aus-urb-crestview-nlamar-airport-redline-intersection_google-earth-screen-capture.jpg15A_ARN_aus-urb-Crestview-NLamar-Airport-RedLine-intersection_Google-Earth-screen-captureAerial view of complex intersection of North Lamar with Airport Blvd. and Red Line alignment. Graphic: Google Earth. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/14_arn_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-nlamar-koenig-ln-stn-2015_andrew-mayer.jpg14_ARN_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-NLamar-Koenig-Ln-stn-2015_Andrew-MayerProposed Koenig Lane station (platform for northbound direction shown). Graphic: Andrew Mayer. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/13_arn_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-nlamar-nloop-alignment-2015_andrew-mayer.jpg13_ARN_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-NLamar-NLoop-alignment-2015_Andrew-MayerProposed typical LRT alignment in North Lamar. Graphic: Andrew Mayer. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12b_arn_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-guad-triangle-stn-btw-45th-51st-st-2015_andrew-mayer.jpg12B_ARN_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-Guad-Triangle-stn-btw-45th-51st-St-2015_Andrew-MayerProposed LRT alignment past Triangle, with station. Graphic: Andrew Mayer. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/12a_arn_aus-urb-triangle-wguadalupe-nlamar_google-maps-screen-capture.jpg12A_ARN_aus-urb-Triangle-WGuadalupe-NLamar_Google-Maps-screen-captureMap snippet shows West Guadalupe St. joining North Lamar at triangular land section now known as "the Triangle". Graphic: Google Maps. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/11c_arn_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-guadalupe-41st-st-2015_andrew-mayer.jpg11C_ARN_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-Guadalupe-41st-St-2015_Andrew-MayerProposed LRT alignment in segment of Guadalupe between 38th-45th St. Graphic: Andrew Mayer. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/11b_arn_aus-urb-guadalupe-38-45-st-mhmr-property_google-earth-screen-capture.jpg11B_ARN_aus-urb-Guadalupe-38-45-St-MHMR-property_Google-Earth-screen-captureAerial view of section of Guadalupe St. between 28th-45th St., showing MHMR bordering on west and established residential neighborhood on east side. Graphic: Google Earth. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/11a_arn_urb-aus-guadalupe-38-st-intersecn_google-streetview.jpg11A_ARN_urb-aus-Guadalupe-38-St-intersecn_Google-StreetviewStreet view of Guadalupe at 38th St. intersection. Graphic: Google Street View. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/10_arn_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-guadalupe-34th-st-stn-2015_andrew-mayer.jpg10_ARN_aus-lrt-sim-cross-sec-Guadalupe-34th-St-stn-2015_Andrew-MayerProposed 34th St. station (platform for southbound direction shown). Graphic: Andrew Mayer. (Click to enlarge.)2019-05-02T13:22:46+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/03/28/did-austins-new-smart-mobility-agenda-kill-light-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/rc2c_5-img_arn_min-lrt-pax-crowd-2013_transit-f-livable-communities.jpgrc2c_5-img_ARN_MIN-LRT-pax-crowd-2013_Transit-f-Livable-CommunitiesAttractive high-capacity light rail transit is changing mobility patterns, boosting economic development in cities like Minneapolis-St. Paul. Photo via Transit for Livable Communities.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/rc2b_5-img_arn_cover-smart-mobility-roadmap_coa.jpgrc2b_5-img_ARN_Cover-Smart-Mobility-Roadmap_coaCity of Austin's Smart Mobility Roadmap.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/rc2a_cmp_hou-lrt-pax-vs-av-traffic-jam.jpgrc2a_CMP_Hou-LRT-pax-vs-AV-traffic-jamLeft: Passengers waiting to board Houston Metro ight rail. Right: Simulation of "Smart City" traffic with autonomous and "connected" vehicles. Sources: L. Henry; Propmodo.com.2019-03-28T19:44:00+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2019/01/30/road-and-rubber-tire-transport-plans-thwarting-urban-rail-seems-to-fit-a-pattern/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/00_5-img-xz_arn_aus-hwy_183s-expressway-under-construction_fluor.jpg00_5-img-xz_arn_aus-hwy_183s-expressway-under-construction_fluorConstruction of U.S. 183 South expressway. Source: Fluor..2019-01-31T17:06:55+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2018/12/31/lets-fast-track-a-plan-for-urban-light-rail-and-make-it-happen/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/00_5-img_map_NLamar-Guadalupe-to-Republic-Sq-20180215_ProjCon2.jpg00_5-img_map_NLamar-Guadalupe-to-Republic-Sq-20180215_ProjCon2Map and graphics from Project Connect's Feb. 2018 proposal illustrates possible 12-mile initial light rail line from Tech Ridge (at left) routed south down N. Lamar-Guadalupe corridor to Republic Square in CBD (map is rotated 90°, with north to left and south at right). Other graphics show alignment design options and station attributes. Yet Capital Metro leadership has now withdrawn plan and restarted study process for another two years. Graphics: Project Connect.2018-12-31T16:01:58+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2018/11/29/lets-put-austins-urban-rail-planning-back-on-track/2018-11-30T00:47:55+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2018/09/19/reinstate-urban-rail-in-austins-planning/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/04_procon_ccag_chart-prelim-altv-mode-char-20140117_annot.jpg04_ProCon_CCAG_chart-prelim-altv-mode-char-20140117_annotProject Connect chart from 2014 includes warnings (annotated with red arrow) against "Unproven technologies". Graphic: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/03_projconnect_graphic_art-question-mark-claims-chart_cmta-vision-plan_20180914.jpg03_ProjConnect_Graphic_ART-question-mark-claims-chart_CMTA-Vision-Plan_20180914Slide from Feb. 14th Project Connect presentation shows hypothetical "Autonomous Rapid Transit (ART)" as question mark. Since mode is currently imaginary, characteristics and performance claims for it in chart are apparently based on pure speculation. Does a currently fictional technology merit inclusion in a presentation of critical public transport options? Graphic: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/02_cmp_procon_sys-plan-g-l-starter-line_2018-feb.jpg02_CMP_ProCon_Sys-plan-G-L-starter-line_2018-FebLeft: Project Connect draft system plan (presented in Feb. 2018) proposed multiple bus and rail routes, including long north-south light rail line (shown in purple north of the river and lavender to the south) stretching from Tech Ridge to Slaughter Lane. Right: Initial phase of LRT project (proposed Feb. 2018) would run from Tech Ridge to downtown at Republic Square, mainly following the North Lamar-Guadalupe corridor. Maps: Project Connect. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/00_projconnect_graphic_art-question-mark_cmta-vision-plan_20180914.jpg00_ProjConnect_Graphic_ART-question-mark_CMTA-Vision-Plan_20180914Project Connect slide illustrating "Autonomous Rapid Transit" technology at joint Capital Metro/City of Austin work session Sep. 14th represents currently hypothetical, undeveloped technology as question mark, yet proposes it for inclusion in new "Vision Plan". Meanwhile, plan with proven, available modes including light rail transit (LRT), presented in February 2018, has been withdrawn. Graphic: Project Connect.2018-09-19T22:30:36+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2018/05/31/capital-metro-strikes-three-blows-against-lamar-guadalupe-light-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/0_5-img-xz_arn_sledgehammer-smashing-glass_graceinthecity.jpg0_5-img-xz_ARN_sledgehammer-smashing-glass_GraceinthecityGraphic: Grace in the city2018-06-01T05:09:25+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2018/02/28/north-lamar-guadalupe-south-congress-light-rail-plan-seems-back-on-the-table/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/3_5-img_arn_corridor-quick-look-table_projcon.jpg3_5-img_ARN_Corridor-Quick-Look-table_ProjConTable shows demographic and other data bolstering potential of LRT in Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. Graphic: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/2_5-img_arn_map_lrt-tech-ridge-to-republic-sq_projcon.jpg2_5-img_ARN_map_LRT-Tech-Ridge-to-Republic-Sq_ProjConInitial phase of LRT project would run from Tech Ridge to downtown at Republic Square, mainly following the North Lamar-Guadalupe travel/development corridor. Map: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/0_5-img_arn_map_system-plan_projcon.jpg0_5-img_ARN_map_System-Plan_ProjConProject Connect's latest draft system plan envisions multiple bus and rail routes, including the long north-south light rail line (shown in purple north of the river and lavender to the south) stretching from Tech Ridge to Slaughter. Map: Project Connect.2018-03-01T21:34:47+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2018/01/31/plans-for-smart-city-could-be-dumb-choice-for-austin/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/0_5-img-xz_arn_austin-smart-mobility-prototype-car_austin-tech-alliance.jpg0_5-img-xz_ARN_Austin-Smart-Mobility-Prototype-car_Austin-Tech-AllianceAustin's "Smart City" vision is still mainly about cars and buses and roads. Graphic: Austin Tech Alliance.2018-01-31T21:32:30+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/12/31/how-capital-metros-planning-keeps-falling-short/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/0_5-img-z_arn_cmta-comnnections-2025-map_cmta.jpg0_5-img-z_ARN_CMTA-Comnnections-2025-map_CMTACapital Metro's proposed Connections 2025 map. Graphic: CMTA.2017-12-31T19:18:00+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/11/27/gentrification-syndrome-hurts-transit/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/0_arn_aus-bus-pax-bicycle-2017_cmta.jpg0_ARN_aus-bus-pax-bicycle-2017_cmtaPassenger using bicycle rack on front of Capital Metro bus, c. 2015. Photo: CMTA.2017-11-28T20:16:01+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/10/31/why-super-brt-in-i-35-would-betray-capital-metros-member-cities/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/00_5-img_arn_cmta_i-35-super-brt-sim.jpg00_5-img_ARN_CMTA_I-35-Super-BRT-simProject Connect rendition illustrates how "SuperBRT" might use high-occupancy toll (HOT) lanes alongside a highway such as I-35. But where are the stations? Graphic: CMTA online.2017-10-31T17:43:54+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/10/01/why-txdot-capital-metro-brt-plan-for-i-35-is-a-massive-boondoggle/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2_arn-z_min-bus-brt-i-35-rte535-stn-ohdview.jpg2_ARN-z_min-bus-brt-i-35-Rte535-stn-ohdviewMinneapolis Metro express-bus operation (slated for upgrade to Orange Line) has a single station in media of I-35W. Photo: Metro.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/0_arn-x_aus-hwy-sim-i35-rebuild-prj-mlk-blvd-downtown-from-decks-lanes-lowered-2016_mobility35.jpg0_ARN-x_aus-hwy-sim-I35-rebuild-prj-MLK-Blvd-downtown-from-decks-lanes-lowered-2016_Mobility35Rendering of rebuilt I-35 at MLK Blvd. with HOT lanes for use by "Super BRT" (shown in purple and yellow). Graphic: TxDOT.2018-08-21T16:07:15+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/08/31/officials-boost-roads-and-super-brt-put-urban-rail-on-side-track/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/3_cmta_annot_connections-2025-brochure_top-10-benefits_2017-jul.jpg3_CMTA_annot_Connections-2025-brochure_Top-10-benefits_2017-JulCapital Metro's Connections 2025 brochure includes "Super BRT" as an assumed project. Graphic: CMTA.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/2_5-img-z_arn_procon_traffic-jam-20170726-img_2708.jpg2_5-img-z_ARN_ProCon_Traffic-Jam-20170726-IMG_2708Project Connect-sponsored "Traffic Jam" meeting on July 26th at Huston-Tillotson University. Opportunity for audience participation was truncated. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/08/0_5-img-z_arn_aus-hwy-graphic-cross-section-i35-rebuild-prj-upper-deck-auxiliary-lanes-2015_mobility35.jpg0_5-img-z_ARN_aus-hwy-graphic-cross-section-I35-rebuild-prj-Upper-deck-auxiliary-lanes-2015_Mobility35Cross-section of one version of TxDOT's plan for massive rebuild and expansion of I-35. Center tolled "express" lanes (at bottom center of diagram) are proposed for use by "Super BRT" project to be funded and operated by Capital Metro. Graphic: Mobility35.2017-08-31T18:02:53+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/07/31/urban-rail-on-guadalupe-lamar-not-i-35-brt/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/0_arn_lrt-aus-map-annot_proposed-lrt-tech-ridge-to-southpark-meadows.jpg0_ARN_lrt-aus-map-ANNOT_Proposed-LRT-Tech-Ridge-to-Southpark-MeadowsMap from Austin Rail Now/Our Rail leaflet distributed at July 26th "Traffic Jam" shows 21-mile light rail transit line proposed as a "high-capacity transit" alternative to the "BRT" line in I-35 advocated by TxDOT and other road proponents.2017-08-01T11:27:05+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/06/29/east-austin-upscale-gentrification-worsens-affordable-housing-crisis-avoids-bona-fide-tod/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/0_5_arn_sim_plaza-saltillo-condos-se-end_cmta-via-aus-chron.jpg0_5_ARN_sim_Plaza-Saltillo-condos-SE-end_CMTA-via-Aus-ChronRendition of southeast portion of Plaza Saltillo development. Higher-density gentrification is replacing affordable housing and business locations under guise of "TOD". (Graphic: Plaza Saltillo project via Austin Chronicle.)2017-06-30T13:51:21+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/13/amsterdams-leidsestraat-shows-how-interlaced-gauntlet-track-can-help-squeeze-light-rail-into-a-narrow-alignment/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn5_ams-lrt-rte10-interlaced-trk-temp-bridge-hoge-sluis-20120303.jpgARN5_ams-lrt-Rte10-interlaced-trk-temp-bridge-Hoge-Sluis-20120303Interlaced track is also used in other narrow locations, some shared with motor vehicle traffic. Here a Route 10 tram leaves the interlaced track over the Hoge Sluis bridge, as an autombile waits to proceed over the same right-of-way.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn4_ams-lrt-leidsestraat-interlaced-trk-peds-20070519_revo-arka-giri-soekatno.jpgARN4_ams-lrt-Leidsestraat-interlaced-trk-peds-20070519_Revo-Arka-Giri-SoekatnoFocus on interlaced track construction in the Leidsestraat. Notice how the two tracks Notice how the two tracks virtually merge to form what almost seems like a single track — but there are separate parallel rails for each direction, laid next to each other. Also, only one rail in each direction actually cross each other (this type of passive, stationary rail crossing is called a frog).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn3_ams-lrt-double-to-singletrk-peds-leidsestraat-014-20060610-xbr_marc-sonnen.jpgARN3_ams-lrt-double-to-singletrk-peds-leidsestraat-014-20060610-xbr_marc-sonnenAnother photo showing crowds of pedestrians, an approaching tram, and a clearview of a transition from double-track to interlaced track. (Photo: Marc Sonnen.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn2_ams-lrt-map-leidsestraat_dd.jpgARN2_ams-lrt-map-Leidsestraat_ddLeidsestraat alignment runs about 500 meters (0.31 mile) in length, passing over several canals.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn1_ams-lrt-leidsestraat-2-views_cmp0.jpgARN1_ams-lrt-Leidsestraat-2-views_CMP0Two views of the Leidsestraat. LEFT: A #1 tram, heading away from camera, has just left the interlaced section onto double track, passing a #5 tram headed toward the camera and the interlaced section. (Photo: Stefan Baguette) RIGHT: You can see the stead stream of trams, sometimes just a couple of minutes apart, passing the heavy flows of pedestrians on each side. (Photo: Mauritsvink)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_ams-lrt-leidsestraat_roeland-koning.jpgARN0_ams-lrt-Leidsestraat_Roeland-KoningAmsterdam's Leidsestraat shows how gauntlet track allows bidrectional light rail operation in a very narrow alignment, even with very close headways. Also remarkable is how smoothly, efficiently, peacefully, and safely the tram line blends in with, complements, and serves all the pedestrians who walk alongside, behind, and even in front of the trams.2017-06-17T12:00:39+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/05/30/the-case-for-urban-rail-on-guadalupe-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/0_arn_cmp_g-l-mos-map-vs-slc-lrt-in-stn.jpg0_ARN_CMP_G-L-MOS-map-vs-SLC-LRT-in-stnTop: Map of Guadalupe-Lamar light rail starter line minimal operable segment (MOS), proposed in 2016. (Map: CACDC.) Bottom: Salt Lake City light rail line at downtown station could resemble system proposed for Austin. (Photo: L. Henry.)2017-05-31T19:30:51+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/about/2017-05-17T11:03:47+00:00weekly0.6https://austinrailnow.com/2017/04/30/reorganized-project-connect-2-0-opens-up-reaches-out/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2_arn_procon2_table_corridor-ranking-full-table-mcac-mtg-20170423_2682-z_lh.jpg2_ARN_ProCon2_table_Corridor-ranking-full-table-MCAC-mtg-20170423_2682-z_lhProject Connect's table of corridor rankings shown in slide at April 26th MCAC meeting. Photo: L. Henry. https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/0_arn_procon2_table_corridor-ranking-zoom-mcac-mtg-20170423_2682-z_lh.jpg0_ARN_ProCon2_table_Corridor-ranking-zoom-MCAC-mtg-20170423_2682-z_lhGuadalupe-Lamar corridor places at top of Project Connect's table of corridor rankings shown in slide at April 26th MCAC meeting. Photo: L. Henry.2017-05-01T21:15:55+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/03/26/traffic-jam-to-discuss-high-capacity-transit-becomes-bait-switch-push-for-road-plans/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/2_5_arn_promo-for-traffic-jam-march-4th_cmta.jpg2_5_ARN_Promo-for-Traffic-Jam-March-4th_CMTAPromotional notice for "Traffic Jam" event at Bullock Museum, 4 March 2017.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/0_5_arn_bait-and-switch-scam-warning-sign-xz_neonlink-com.jpg0_5_ARN_bait-and-switch-scam-warning-sign-xz_neonlink-comGraphic: Neonlink.com2017-03-27T21:57:14+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/02/28/transit-planning-cabal-style/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/0_arn_cabal-dark-illuminati-from-secret-invasion-dark-reign-z_marvel-database.jpg0_arn_cabal-dark-illuminati-from-secret-invasion-dark-reign-z_marvel-databaseGraphic: Marvel Database.2017-03-01T03:54:15+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2017/01/31/austins-shaky-economic-growth-presents-challenge-to-strategic-mobility-plan-remake/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/0_arn_coa-atd_graphic_aus-strategic-mobility-plan-2016-z.jpg0_arn_coa-atd_graphic_aus-strategic-mobility-plan-2016-zAustin Strategic Mobility Plan (title slide from official presentation)2017-01-31T22:25:15+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/12/31/as-austin-wobbles-into-2017-peer-cities-breeze-past-with-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/4_arn_slc-lrt-bdg-pax-dntn-2012113-0966_dd.jpg4_arn_slc-lrt-bdg-pax-dntn-2012113-0966_ddWith its LRT system, opened in 1999, Salt Lake City is one of many peer cities that have sped past Austin in their public transport development. Photo: Dave Dobbs.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/3_arn_aus-bus-brt-metrorapid-801-ut-campus-20141114-1498-z_lh.jpg3_arn_aus-bus-brt-metrorapid-801-ut-campus-20141114-1498-z_lhCapital Metro and Austin officials have touted MetroRapid bus service as "rapid transit". Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/0_arn_nfk-tuc-lrt-stc-cmp.jpg0_arn_nfk-tuc-lrt-stc-cmpNew-Start light rail transit (LRT) systems have proliferated in cities across USA while Austin urban rail planning has languished. LEFT: Norfolk's new LRT line opened in 2011. (Photo: D. Allen Covey.) RIGHT: Tucson's new SunLink streetcar opened in 2014. (Photo: Tyler Baker.)2017-11-13T21:58:08+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/11/30/capital-metro-back-to-1986/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/0_arn_otw-bus-brt-congestn-2011-z_flickr.jpg0_arn_otw-bus-brt-congestn-2011-z_flickrOttawa Transitway (BRT) bus congestion in downtown, 2011. Bus congestion has persuaded Ottawa to launch LRT project, now under construction. The possibility of severe bus overcrowding in downtown Austin led Capital Metro board to reject a proposed BRT line in I-35 in favor of LRT in 1989.2016-11-30T22:49:18+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/10/31/austin-national-model-for-how-roads-are-strangling-transit-development/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/3_arn_mov-aus-fwd-tv-ad-move-traffic-faster-xz.jpg3_arn_mov-aus-fwd-tv-ad-move-traffic-faster-xzAnother TV ad screenshot promoting "Mobility Bond" package promises that bonds will "Move Traffic Faster". Graphic: Screenshot of Move Austin Forward TV ad.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/2_arn_mov-aus-fwd-tv-ad-cut-travel-time-ver2-xz.jpg2_arn_mov-aus-fwd-tv-ad-cut-travel-time-ver2-xzTV ad promoting "Mobility Bond" package focuses on benefits for private motor vehicle traffic. Graphic: Screenshot of Move Austin Forward TV ad.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/0_arn_ctrma_systemmap-final-01.jpg0_arn_ctrma_systemmap-final-01Central Texas Roadway System – brand-new highways (mostly tollways) under construction and planned. Map: CTRMA.2016-11-02T18:53:13+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/09/29/citys-smart-corridor-prop-1-bond-plan-promising-way-more-than-it-can-deliver/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/09/0_arn_coa-smart-corridors-bond-funding-vs-projected.jpg0_arn_coa-smart-corridors-bond-funding-vs-projectedGraph shows disparity between funds budgeted in "Smart Corridors" bond package and projected actual cost of these projects. (Graph: ARN.)2016-11-01T00:38:42+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/08/31/austin-council-nixes-light-rail-bond-but-stay-tuned-for-2017-or-2018/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/2_arn_coa_mobility-bond-vote-ora-houston-20160818-xz.jpg2_ARN_COA_Mobility-Bond-vote-Ora-Houston-20160818-xzCouncilmember Ora Houston in City Council meeting of Aug. 18th, during which she was only councilmember to vote against proposed "Go Big" bond package. Photo: Screen capture from ATXN video.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/0_arn_coa_mobility-bond-vote-20160811-2-xz.jpg0_ARN_COA_Mobility-Bond-vote-20160811-2-xzAustin City Council votes unanimously for proposed "Go Big" $720 million bond measure on Aug. 11th. Photo: Screen capture from ATXN video.2016-08-31T21:59:10+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/07/27/guadalupe-lamar-urban-rail-needs-to-be-included-in-austins-mobility-bond-package/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/3_arn_lh-coa-mob-cmte-20160614-x.jpg3_ARN_LH-COA-Mob-Cmte-20160614-xLyndon Henry presenting comments to City of Austin Mobility Committee on June 14th. Photo: Screenshot from ATXN video.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/07/0_arn_coa-mob-cmte-ann-kitchen-20160614-xz_scrnshot-atxn.jpg0_ARN_COA-Mob-Cmte-Ann-Kitchen-20160614-xz_scrnshot-ATXNAnn Kitchen chairs City of Austin Mobility Committee meeting of June 14th. Photo: Sceenshot from ATXN video.2016-08-01T11:45:43+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/06/11/grassroots-effort-proposes-small-light-rail-starter-project-for-an-authentic-mobility-bond-measure/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/3_arn_lrt-aus-map-proposed-mos-crestview-4th-st-annot_arn.jpg3_ARN_lrt-aus-map-proposed-MOS-Crestview-4th-St-annot_arnWider-view map showing 5.3-mile LRT MOS route strategically serving busy local Guadalupe-Lamar corridor between Loop 1 (MoPac) and I-35. Graphic: ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/0_arn_cacdc_g-l-mos-lrt-alignment-2016-05-z.jpg0_ARN_CACDC_G-L-MOS-LRT-alignment-2016-05-z5.3-mile Minimum Operable Segment light rail line proposed by CACDC. Graphic: Screenshot from CACDC map.2016-06-11T13:52:41+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/05/04/austins-2000-light-rail-plan-key-documents-detail-costs-ridership-of-lamar-guadalupe-soco-route/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2_arn_aus-lrt-sim-s-congress-dntn-capitol-2000_lrn.jpg2_ARN_aus-lrt-sim-S-Congress-dntn-Capitol-2000_lrnCapital Metro's 2000 light rail plan envisioned urban rail running through the SoCo area. Simulation: Capital Metro.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/0_arn_fta_aus-lrt-map-2000-plan.jpg0_ARN_FTA_aus-lrt-map-2000-planCapital Metro's 2000 MOS (dashed line) and full Phase 1 light rail plan. Map: FTA. 2016-06-03T02:59:21+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/05/28/support-grows-to-include-urban-rail-in-november-mobility-bond-package/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/2_arn_coa-utc_recommendation-to-include-rail-in-nov-bond-20160510.jpg2_ARN_COA-UTC_Recommendation-to-include-rail-in-Nov-bond-20160510Resolution passed by Urban Transportation Commission recommends City Council consider including rail transit in November bond package. Screenshot by ARN from COA PDF.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/0_arn_coa-utc_jd-gins-presenting-resolution-to-recommend-rail-2218-20160510-z_coa-video_arn-scrnshot.jpg0_ARN_COA-UTC_JD-Gins-presenting-resolution-to-recommend-rail-2218-20160510-z_COA-video_ARN-scrnshotJ.D. Gins, member of Urban Transportation Commission, at May 10th meeting, argues for recommendation to Austin City Council to include rail transit in November bond package. ARN screenshot from COA video.2016-05-29T10:52:01+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/04/28/vision-for-an-austin-metro-wide-light-rail-system/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/2_arn_mayer_austin-light-rail-diagram.jpg2_ARN_Mayer_Austin-Light-Rail-DiagramProposed citywide urban rail system. Map: Andrew Mayer.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/0_arn_aus-urb-map-metro-area-arn-screenshot-google-maps.jpg0_ARN_aus-urb-map-metro-area-ARN-screenshot-Google-MapsAustin metro area. Graphic: Google Maps.2016-04-29T01:48:49+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/03/29/why-spending-4-7-billion-trying-to-improve-i-35-is-a-waste-of-money/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/8_arn_bos-hwy-big-dig-constr_imaginerpe-com.jpg8_ARN_bos-hwy-Big-Dig-constr_Imaginerpe-comBoston's "Big Dig" under construction past city's CBD. Project re-routed I-93 Central Artery into a central-city tunnel. Source: Imaginerpe.com.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/6_arn_aus-hwy-sim-i-35-tunnel_kut-org_via-cnu.png6_ARN_aus-hwy-sim-I-35-tunnel_KUT-org_via-CNURendition of Reconnect Austin's proposed "fully depressed" alternative design for I-35. Source: KUT Radio. https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/5_arn_txdot_i-35-overhaul-estd-cost-presntn-aus-city-councl-mob-cmte-20160203.jpg5_ARN_TXDOT_I-35-overhaul-estd-cost-presntn-Aus-City-Councl-Mob-Cmte-20160203TxDOT slide showing projected cost of proposed I-35 upgrade project. Source: ARN screen capture of TxDOT slide.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/3-aus-hwy-i-35-congstn-koenig-to-dntn-ohdview_tti.jpg3 aus-hwy-I-35-congstn-Koenig-to-dntn-ohdview_TTII-35 congestion, considered worst in Texas. Texas Transportation Institute has concluded that "additional capacity provides little relief...". Source: TTI.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/2_arn_stpp_roadway-congestion-index-mean-1982-1996.jpg2_ARN_STPP_Roadway-congestion-index-mean-1982-1996TTI Roadway Congestion Index (Mean) shows that roadway congestion has continued to rise despite intensive investment in capacity expansion. Source: STPP.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/03/0_arn_aus-hwy-aus-trf-hwy-i-35-congstn-20120312_austin-culturemap-com.jpg0_ARN_aus-hwy-Aus-trf-hwy-I-35-congstn-20120312_austin-culturemap-comI-35 traffic congestion — bad and predicted to get much worse. Source: Culturemap.com.2016-03-30T20:13:12+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2016/02/27/capital-metro-lets-have-2-12-more-years-of-analysis-paralysis/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/2_arn_cmta-todd-hemingson-vp-plng-devt-spkg-to-council-mobility-cmte-20160203-a-x.jpg2_ARN_CMTA-Todd-Hemingson-VP-Plng-Devt-spkg-to-Council-Mobility-Cmte-20160203-A-xCapital Metro's planning chief Todd Hemingson explains CCCTA study to Austin Mobility Committee on Feb. 3rd. Photo: ARN screenshot from official video.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/0_arn_cmta-ppt-title-slide-cccta-presentation-council-mobility-cmta-2016-feb-x.jpg0_ARN_CMTA-PPT-title-slide-CCCTA-presentation-Council-Mobility-Cmta-2016-Feb-xTitle slide of Capital Metro's CCCTA presentation to Austin City Council Mobility Committee on Feb. 3rd. Screen capture: ARN.2016-02-27T17:01:29+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/12/30/minneapolis-light-rail-possible-model-for-austin/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/20_arn_min-lrt-blue-line-trn-along-hiawatha-av-appr-stn-2015119-2052-z_lh.jpg20_ARN_min-lrt-Blue-Line-trn-along-Hiawatha-Av-appr-stn-2015119-2052-z_lhBlue Line train approaches station along Hiawatha Avenue alignment. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/19_arn_min-lrt-int-wheelchair-pax-aboard-trn-20151118-1979_lh.jpg19_ARN_min-lrt-int-wheelchair-pax-aboard-trn-20151118-1979_lhPassenger in wheelchair easily maneuvers chair into accessible space aboard car. In contrast to buses — no tiedowns, no operator assistance needed, no passengers ousted from their seats! Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/18-arn_min-lrt-wheelchair-pax-bdg-hennepin-av-stn-20151118-1978_lh.jpg18-ARN_min-lrt-wheelchair-pax-bdg-Hennepin-Av-stn-20151118-1978_lhPassenger in wheelchair boards train at downtown station. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/17_arn_min-lrt-int-pax-holding-bike-20151118-1957-z_lh.jpg17_ARN_min-lrt-int-pax-holding-bike-20151118-1957-z_lhIn some cases, smaller bikes are simply held by the passenger. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/16-arn_min-lrt-int-bike-in-rack-20151118-1955-z_lh.jpg16-ARN_min-lrt-int-bike-in-rack-20151118-1955-z_lhBikes can be hung on special racks inside the LRT cars. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/15_arn_min-lrt-hiawatha-ave-e38-st-xng-strview_google-maps.jpg15_ARN_min-lrt-Hiawatha-Ave-E38-St-xng-strview_Google-mapsFrom a surface view, this shows the intersection protected with crossing gates. Photo: ARN, from Google Street View.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/14_arn_min-lrt-map-hiawatha-ave-e38-st-xng-ohdview_google-maps.jpg14_ARN_min-lrt-map-Hiawatha-Ave-E38-St-xng-ohdview_Google-mapsIn this Google Earth view, Hiawatha Ave., with the LRT line paralleling it on its western edge, runs diagonally north-south through the center of the photo. The 38th St. LRT station can also be seen, while E. 38th St. crosses both LRT line and Hiawatha Ave. east-west, in the bottom third of the graphic. Note that Hiawatha and the LRT line intersect E. 38th St. at about a 60-degree angle, somewhat similarly to Airport Blvd and N. Lamar and the MetroRail Red Line in Austin. Photo: ARN, from Google Earth.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/13_arn_min-lrt-green-line-trn-washington-av-bridge_streets-mn.jpg13_ARN_min-lrt-Green-Line-trn-Washington-Av-bridge_Streets-mnGreen Line train crosses over Mississippi River on newly retrofitted Washington Ave. bridge. Photo: Streets.mn.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/12_arn_min-lrt-green-line-trn-hamline-stn-2015117-1942.jpg12_ARN_min-lrt-Green-Line-trn-Hamline-stn-2015117-1942Green Line's Hamline station accesses major mall on University Ave. at West/Hamline Ave., with two "big box" stores (Walmart and Target). Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/11-arn_min-lrt-trn-lv-mall-of-am_ymtram-mashke-org.jpg11-ARN_min-lrt-trn-lv-Mall-of-Am_ymtram-mashke-orgBlue Line train leaves the Mall of America station located in the parking garage of this mall, which hosts the most mall visitors in the world and is a popular tourist destination. Photo: Ymtram.mashke.org.2016-01-01T02:52:01+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/11/12/another-major-austin-community-recommendation-for-light-rail-transit-in-guadalupe-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/3_arn_cacdc-statement_graphic_mobilityatx-lrt-plan-2015_keye-tv.png3_ARN_CACDC-statement_graphic_MobilityATX-LRT-plan-2015_KEYE-TVCACDC statement applauding Mobility ATX report, as shown on KEYE-TV News. Screenshot: ATXRail.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/2_arn_mobilityatx-glasshouse-policy_partners-listing.jpg2_ARN_MobilityATX-Glasshouse-Policy_Partners-listingMobility ATX/Glasshouse Policy partners. Graphic: MobilityATX Findings Report.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/0_arn_mobilityatx-glasshouse-policy_map_lrt-plan-g-l-riverside-pleasant-valley.png0_ARN_MobilityATX-Glasshouse-Policy_map_LRT-plan-G-L-Riverside-Pleasant-ValleyLight rail transit alignment following North Lamar Blvd., Guadalupe St., Riverside Dr., and Pleasant Valley Rd. as proposed by MobilityATX. 2015-11-13T21:40:22+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/10/25/austins-competing-growth-factions-both-continuing-on-road-to-worsening-congestion/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/0_arn_campo-2040-plan_map_aus-regional-roadway-plan-2040.jpg0_ARN_CAMPO-2040-Plan_map_Aus-regional-roadway-plan-2040CAMPO's 2040 regional roadway plan emphasizes expanding web of roadways catering to real estate development, intensifying addiction to private motor vehicle travel, and accelerating sprawl. Map: CAMPO 2040 Draft Plan.2015-10-25T15:25:58+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/09/29/dedicated-transit-lanes-on-austins-drag-must-be-designed-for-light-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/5_arn_den-lrt-16th-stout-curbside-pax-2008-91147-x_peter-ehrlich.jpg5_ARN_den-lrt-16th-Stout-curbside-pax-2008-91147-x_Peter-EhrlichDenver: Passengers waiting to board LRT train running in curbside lane on Stout St. Photo: Peter Ehrlich.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/4_arn_aus-bus-bunching-3-buses-nb-lavaca-buslane-20140603-1277_lh.jpg4_ARN_aus-bus-bunching-3-buses-NB-Lavaca-buslane-20140603-1277_lhBuses use curbside reserved lanes on one-way Lavaca St. downtown. Curbside lanes on the Drag would be similar, but on two-way street. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/3_arn_ctr-coa_diagram-g-l-ded-transit-lanes_2015-may.jpg3_ARN_CTR-COA_Diagram-G-L-ded-transit-lanes_2015-MayDiagram from CTR report for curbside dedicated lanes on the Drag. (Screenshot from CTR memo.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/2_arn_map-aus-drag.jpg2_ARN_Map-Aus-DragMap shows the Drag area (Guadalupe St., running north-south in center). UT campus lies on the east, West Campus neighborhood on the west. (Screenshot from Google Maps.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/0_arn_strview-aus-drag-w24st-facing-north.jpg0_ARN_Strview-Aus-Drag-W24St-facing-northBusy section of Austin's Drag, Guadalupe St. at W. 24th St. Official city planning by CTR has proposed curbside transit lanes, with buses running on outside lanes as seen in this photo. (Screenshot from Google Streetview.)2015-09-30T12:25:21+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/08/29/austin-is-a-village-of-villages-and-they-need-to-be-connected-by-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/0_arn_coa_map_imagine-aus-centers-corridors-x.jpg0_ARN_COA_map_Imagine-Aus-Centers-Corridors-xCity of Austn's Imagine Austin "Centers and Corridors" map shows "regional centers", "town centers", neighborhood centers" and "activity centers". Center-city has three de facto villages, aka "town centers", that align in almost a perfectly straight line down the city's spine. Map excerpt: City of Austin.2015-09-02T19:14:52+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/07/27/texas-tribune-op-ed-urges-support-for-plan-b-light-rail-in-guadalupe-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/arn_tx-tribune-op-ed-conservative-case-for-rail-20150719-z.jpgARN_Tx-Tribune-op-ed-Conservative-case-for-rail-20150719-zTribTalk op-ed headline with photo of Houston light rail train. (Screenshot: ARN)2015-07-27T22:31:04+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/06/30/plan-for-galvanizing-austins-public-transport-development-light-rail-starter-line-in-guadalupe-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/0_aus-lrt-map_sf-lrt-n-judah_cmp.jpg0_aus-lrt-map_sf-lrt-N-judah_CMPLEFT: Map of proposed 6.8-mile light rail route in Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. (Map: ARN.) RIGHT: San Francisco light rail train in dedicated lanes in Judah St., similar to Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. (Photo: Eric Haas.)2015-07-02T00:28:49+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/05/31/poll-austinites-want-surface-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/0_arn_aus-urb-poll-zandan-poll-63pct-support-rail-2015-mar-z.jpg0_ARN_aus-urb-poll-Zandan-Poll-63pct-support-rail-2015-Mar-z(Sceenshot of poll results)2015-06-16T23:01:24+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/04/29/plan-now-for-light-rail-in-south-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/aus-urb-slamar-trf-2014_aus-mobility-z.jpgaus-urb-SLamar-trf-2014_Aus-Mobility-zCurrent view of traffic on South Lamar. Photo: Austin Mobility.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/arn_slamar-lrt-alignmt-cross-section-80ft.jpgARN_SLamar-LRT-alignmt-cross-section-80ftCross-sectional diagram showing how center LRT reservation could be inserted in South Lamar, maintaining traffic lanes and sidwalks. Design would use side-mounted traction electrification system poles for suspending the overhead contact system for LRT electric propulsion. Graphic: ARN. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/coa_map_slamar-corr-study-20141210.jpgCOA_map_SLamar-Corr-Study-20141210South Lamar corridor. Map: City of Austin.2015-04-30T02:42:31+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/04/23/texas-legislatures-transportation-policy-full-speed-backwards/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/0_arn_highway-patrol-tv-image-1955-z_flickr.jpg0_ARN_Highway-Patrol-TV-image-1955-z_flickrHighway Patrol TV series opening image. Graphic: flickr.2015-04-28T02:41:02+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/03/29/austins-urban-transport-planning-seems-struck-by-catastrophic-case-of-amnesia-and-confusion/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/5_arn_day-of-the-triffids-poster_imdb-com.jpg5_ARN_Day-of-the-Triffids-poster_IMDb-comEvaporation of Austin's light rail planning resembles a catastrophe of collective affliction, like the mass blindness portrayed in <em>Day of the Triffids</em>. Movie poster: IMDb.com.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3_arn_aus-c-of-c_graph_2013-mobility-report-increased-congestion-vs-options.jpg3_ARN_Aus-C-of-C_graph_2013-Mobility-Report-increased-congestion-vs-optionsAccording data from Texas Transportation Institute, even with implementation of infrastructure expansion in CAMPO 2035 plan, Austin metro travel time would increase 80% due to traffic congestion. Graph: Austin Chamber of Commerce 2013 Mobility Report.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/2_arn_proj-con_sim_h-r-urban-rail-lakeshore-dr.jpg2_ARN_Proj-Con_sim_H-R-urban-rail-LakeShore-DrUrban rail has been on the official planning agenda for decades. Throughout the first 10 months of 2014, the Highland-Riverside plan (envisioned in this simulated scene) was hyped incessantly. Graphic: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/0_arn_signpost-confused-lost-disoriented_richs-management-blog.jpg0_ARN_Signpost-confused-lost-disoriented_Richs-Management-BlogGraphic: Rich's Management Blog2015-06-17T13:43:12+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/03/30/stealth-plans-for-forced-busing-in-heavy-local-travel-corridors-may-be-wasteful-barrier-to-light-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/4_arn_sb3-bus-brt-court-street-platform-constr-2014-z_omnitrans-org.jpg4_ARN_sb3-bus-brt-Court-Street-Platform-constr-2014-z_omnitrans-orgConstruction for dedicated bus lanes, rarely shown by "BRT" promoters, is very similar to that for LRT, as this example from San Bernardino demonstrates. Yet effective capacity, ridership attraction, cost-effectiveness, TOD, and other benefits typically fall short of what LRT typically achieves. Photo: Omnitrans.org.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/0_arn_otw-bus-brt-jam-mackenzie-king-bridge-2011-sep-z_flickr.jpg0_ARN_otw-bus-brt-jam-MacKenzie-King-Bridge-2011-Sep-z_flickrConsequences of investing in bus-based "rapid transit" (BRT) can be seen in Ottawa, where bus bunching and huge bus jams like this one reveal massive size of fleet necessary to support "rapid transit" levels of ridership — ridership far more efficiently accommodated by urban rail . Similar plans for expanded BRT infrastructure in Austin pose similar need for light rail transit (LRT) alternative. Photo: Flickr.2015-04-02T14:50:09+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/03/26/austins-shadow-government-campo-disappears-light-rail-from-local-planning/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/3_arn_campo_urban-transit-projects-2040-plan_screenshot-z.jpg3_ARN_CAMPO_Urban-Transit-Projects-2040-Plan_screenshot-zLight rail/urban rail has simply vanished from CAMPO's 2040 Transportation Plan. Screenshot of Urban Transit page: ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/0_aan_disappearing-act-magician_pehub-com.jpg0_AAN_disappearing-act-magician_pehub-comGraphic: PEHUB.com2015-04-07T18:15:03+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/02/17/possible-timeline-for-installing-light-rail-transit-in-guadalupe-lamar-corridor/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2_arn_g-l-lrt-timeline-annot-final.jpg2_ARN_G-L-LRT-timeline-annot-finalHypothetical timeline.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/3_arn_transit-abbreviations.jpg3_ARN_Transit-abbreviations(Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0_arn_hou-lrt-constr-trk-2012-aug-xz_hou-metro.jpg0_ARN_Hou-LRT-Constr-trk-2012-Aug-xz_Hou-MetroLRT construction in Houston. A similar LRT line in the Guadalupe-Lamar could potentially be completed and in service in less than a decade. Photo: Houston Metro.2015-08-18T18:00:37+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/02/16/baker-campos-2040-plan-prescription-for-intense-and-auto-addictive-suburban-sprawl-development-far-into-future/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/3_arn_aus-urb-aerial-photo-swaus-suburbs-nr-lp360-barton-creek-resort-devt-2006-1120396-x_mopacs_skyscraperpage.jpg3_ARN_aus-urb-aerial-photo-SWAus-suburbs-nr-Lp360-Barton-Creek-Resort-devt-2006-1120396-x_Mopacs_SkyscraperpageOfficial transportation and land-use policies have encouraged Austin-area sprawl development patterns. Photo: Mopacs, via Skyscraperpage.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2_arn_campo_table-tsm-capacity-impact_20150128.jpg2_ARN_CAMPO_Table-TSM-capacity-impact_20150128Assumed capacity impacts of Transportation System Management measures. Table: CAMPO Technical Advisory Committee.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0_arn_aus-hwy-mopac-loop1-suburban-congestn-2013-xz_ctrma.jpg0_ARN_aus-hwy-MoPac-Loop1-suburban-congestn-2013-xz_CTRMASuburban highways, freeways, and tollways like Loop 1 (MoPac) have driven suburban sprawl, forcing dependency on personal motor vehicles for nearly all local transportation. CAMPO's planning continues to be focused mainly on promoting suburban growth through further roadway expansion. Photo: CTRMA.2015-02-17T00:31:06+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/02/10/long-saga-of-guadalupe-lamar-light-rail-planning-told-in-maps/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/9_arn_aus-lrt-map-g-l-urbrail-act-ctrs_adrian-skinner.jpg9_ARN_aus-lrt-map-G-L-urbrail-act-ctrs_Adrian-SkinnerAdrian Skinner map (Nov. 2013) shows important points that would be connected by urban rail in Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. Screenshot: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/6_arn_rapid-transit-project_aus-lrt-map-route-alternatives-2002-apr-z.jpg6_ARN_Rapid-Transit-Project_AUS-LRT-map-route-alternatives-2002-Apr-zRoute alternatives considered by the City-Capital Metro joint Rapid Transit Project, as presented in 2002. Guadalupe-Lamar remained the heart of the plan's route into the Core Area, as shown by the red line. Map: RTP. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/4_arn_cmta_aus-lrt-map-planned-1994-apr-296-z.jpg4_ARN_CMTA_AUS-LRT-map-planned-1994-Apr-296-zCapital Metro LRT plan for Guadalupe-Lamar and northwest, 1994. Map: CMTA. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/3_arn_tapt_cartrans-report-cover-map-1973_cmp.jpg3_ARN_TAPT_CARTRANS-report-cover-map-1973_CMPCARTRANS report (left) proposed LRT 19.2-mile route (right) stretching from north to south Austin and paralleling major central flow of travel along North and South Lamar, South Congress, and I-35. Photos: ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/2_arn_aus-hwy-freeway-plan-1962-annotated_txhd.jpg2_ARN_AUS-hwy-freeway-plan-1962-annotated_TxHDCentral Freeway (annotated here with yellow line in center of dashed red line). (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0_arn_aus-urb-map-g-l-corridor-annotated_google-earth.jpg0_ARN_AUS-urb-map-G-L-corridor-annotated_Google-EarthRed highlighting line demarcates North Lamar Blvd. and Guadalupe St., north-south central spine of Guadalupe-Lamar travel corridor. (Click to enlarge.)2015-02-16T20:22:53+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/02/09/dobbs-councils-feb-9th-data-dig-is-wasteful-ill-advised-exercise-of-top-down-insider-back-room-deal-making-trying-to-con-the-public/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/0_arn_logo-backroom-political-wheeling-and-dealing-x_moviezeal-com.jpg0_ARN_logo-backroom-political-wheeling-and-dealing-x_MovieZeal-comGraphic: MovieZeal.com2015-02-09T19:36:42+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2015/01/03/strong-community-support-for-guadalupe-lamar-light-rail-continues-but-officials-seem-oblivious/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/5_arn_sf-lrt-n-judah-line-ohd_dd-scrnshot-xz_google-satellite.jpg5_ARN_sf-lrt-N-Judah-line-ohd_DD-scrnshot-xz_Google-SatelliteLight rail in Guadalupe and North Lamar could be modeled after San Francisco's N-Line route in Judah St., seen in this satellite view from Google Maps. Screenshot: Dave Dobbs.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/4_arn_cmta_hemingson_redirect-urban-rail-grant-funds_20141215-x.jpg4_ARN_CMTA_Hemingson_Redirect-urban-rail-grant-funds_20141215-xCapital Metro's "Heart of the City" latest projects propose to usurp millions in urban rail planning funds for other purposes. Screenshot from video of Dec. 15th Capital Metro board meeting.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/3_arn_aus-lrt-map-proposed-g-l-corridor-2014-dec_brad-parsons.jpg3_ARN_AUS-LRT-map-proposed-G-L-corridor-2014-Dec_Brad-ParsonsMap of Guadalupe-Lamar corridor light rail route proposed by Brad Parsons.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/2_arn_travis-county_map_urban-rail-proposition-results-by-precinct-20141104.jpg2_ARN_Travis-County_Map_Urban-rail-proposition-results-by-precinct-20141104Screenshot of interactive map of Nov. 4th "urban rail" vote by precinct. Source: Travis County. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/0_arn_blindfolded-guy-in-suit-z_midwest-district-blog.jpg0_ARN_blindfolded-guy-in-suit-z_Midwest-District-BlogGraphic: Midwest District Blog.2015-01-03T17:13:21+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/12/11/resume-planning-light-rail-in-guadalupe-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/3_arn_coa_guad-transpn-corr-proj-event-alan-hughes-roberto-gonzalez-20141203-1505-xz_lh.jpg3_ARN_COA_Guad-Transpn-Corr-Proj-event-Alan-Hughes-Roberto-Gonzalez-20141203-1505-xz_LHAt Dec. 3rd Guadalupe Transportation Corridor Project public event, project manager Alan Hughes (center, in checkered shirt) discusses project issues over table with Drag corridor maps. At far right in photo is Roberto Gonzalez of Capital Metro's Planning Department. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/0_arn_aus-urb-drag-guad-w24-st-z_google-maps-streetview.jpg0_ARN_AUS-urb-Drag-Guad-W24-St-z_Google-Maps-StreetviewGuadalupe St. at W. 24th St., looking south. The Drag, passing one of the densest residential neighborhoods in Texas and busy commercial district, is major segment of high- travel-density Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. Photo: Google Maps Streetview.2014-12-11T12:36:37+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/12/09/san-franciscos-n-judah-muni-metro-line-shows-design-option-for-light-rail-in-austins-guadalupe-lamar-corridor/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/6_arn_sf-lrt-n-line-judah-st-nr-15-av-raised-resv-spanwires-20000909-16421-x_c-eric-haas.jpg6_ARN_SF-LRT-N-Line-Judah-St-nr-15-Av-raised-resv-spanwires-20000909-16421-x_c-Eric-HaasIn this view of a train near 16th Avenue, the slightly raised center median reservation can be seen more clearly. Over the train, transverse spanwires holding OCS can be seen; other cross-wires are general utility cables. Photo (copyright) Eric Haas.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/5_arn_sf-lrt-n-line-judah-st-nr-16-av-raised-resv-spanwires-20040607-33424-x_peter-ehrlich.jpg5_ARN_SF-LRT-N-Line-Judah-St-nr-16-Av-raised-resv-spanwires-20040607-33424-x_Peter-EhrlichIn this view of single-car train on slightly raised median near 16th Avenue, transverse spanwire that holds OCS power wire can be seen behind train, suspended between TES poles on either side of street. TES poles also serve as street light masts, a typical dual function. PHOTO: Peter Ehrlich.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/4_arn_sf-lrt-n-line-judah-st-trn-nr-10-av-aerialview-z_google-maps-satellite-view-scrnshot.jpg4_ARN_SF-LRT-N-Line-Judah-St-trn-nr-10-Av-aerialview-z_Google-Maps-Satellite-View-scrnshotAerial view of Judah St. corridor segment, showing central reservation with Muni Metro LRT train, motor vehicle lanes on each side, and sidewalks on each side of arterial. Photo: Google Maps Satellite View.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/3_arn_g-l-lrt-alignmt-cross-section-80ft-final02.jpg3_ARN_G-L-LRT-alignmt-cross-section-80ft-final02Cross-sectional diagram of major arterials in corridor, showing center LRT reservation, traffic lanes, sidwalks, and side-mounted TES poles for suspending the OCS. Graphic: ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/0_arn_sf-lrt-n-line-judah-st-nr-17-av-2car-trn-raised-resv-spanwires-20010512-16425-x_c-eric-haas.jpg0_ARN_SF-LRT-N-Line-Judah-St-nr-17-Av-2car-trn-raised-resv-spanwires-20010512-16425-x_c-Eric-HaasN-Judah Line Muni Metro light rail transit (LRT) train running in raised median on San Francisco's Judah St. Alignment in this constricted 80-foot-wide arterial includes space for 2 dedicated light rail tracks, 4 vehicle lanes, and shared sidewalk for pedestrians and bicyclists. Similar alignment design could fit dedicated LRT tracks, 4 traffic lanes, and sidewalks into Austin's Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. Photo (copyright) Eric Haas.2014-12-10T13:21:26+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/02/15/subway-cost-per-mile-nearly-9-times-higher-than-for-light-rail-says-study/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/0_arn_buf-lrt-subway-stn_buffny-tourism.jpg0_ARN_buf-lrt-subway-stn_BuffNY-TourismBuffalo's 6.4-mile LRT line, with 5.2 miles (81%) in subway, has never been expanded since its opening in 1985. On the whole, the heavy cost of subway (and elevated) construction has been a powerful deterrent that has delayed or prevented the expansion of totally grade-separated urban rail systems. https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/5_arn_median-cost-per-mile.jpg5_ARN_Median-cost-per-mileChart showing median cost results from Light Rail Now subway vs, LRT study. Graphic: Light Rail Now blog.2014-12-03T15:15:26+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/03/18/sxsw-transit-metrorail-trains-attracted-crowds-excitement-metrorapid-buses-nyah/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1_arn_aus-bus-but-west-campus-pax-bdg-ped-xng-20140206-1244.jpg1_ARN_aus-bus-but-West-Campus-pax-bdg-ped-xng-20140206-1244MetroRapid bus at a stop on the Drag. Passengers have not crowded aboard the new service as they have on MetroRail. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/0_arn_aus-lry-conv-ctr-stn-crowd-deboarding-20100322-2113x_lh.jpg0_ARN_aus-lry-Conv-Ctr-stn-crowd-deboarding-20100322-2113x_lhCommuting passengers deboard a MetroRail train. During SXSW, passengers have jammed onto trains, setting new ridership records. Photo: L. Henry.2014-12-03T15:13:28+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/11/20/lessons-of-the-austin-rail-bond-defeat/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/0_arn_ourrail_ad_vote-no-aus-prop1-z.jpg0_ARN_OurRail_Ad_Vote-No-Aus-Prop1-zCampaign sign from OurRail PAC, which advocates light rail in Guadalupe-Lamar corridor, but strongly opposed City's Highland-Riverside urban rail plan and the $600 million bond proposition to fund it.2014-11-20T22:28:27+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/11/02/why-austin-is-faced-with-a-worse-than-nothing-urban-rail-plan/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/0_arn_follow-the-money-z_via-blip-tv.jpg0_ARN_Follow-The-Money-z_via-Blip-tvGraphic via Blip.tv2014-11-20T15:20:22+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/10/11/how-soon-to-get-austins-urban-rail-on-track-after-nov-4th/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/0_arn_looking-ahead-binoculars_lifehacker-com.jpg0_ARN_Looking-ahead-binoculars_Lifehacker-comGraphic: LifeHacker.com2014-11-20T15:18:45+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/09/24/dobbs-density-travel-corridor-density-and-implications-for-guadalupe-lamar-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/0_arn_airphoto-guadalupe-drag-w-campus-wideshot-looking-nw-mlk-blvd-2008-1090519-2_romil_forum-skyscraperpage-com.jpg0_ARN_Airphoto-Guadalupe-Drag-W-Campus-wideshot-looking-NW-MLK-Blvd-2008-1090519-2_Romil_forum-skyscraperpage-comAerial view (looking north) of "Drag" section of Guadalupe St. (wide arterial running from bottom middle of photo to upper right). Western edge of UT campus is at far right, and extremely dense West Campus neighborhood occupies middle left of photo. In upper right corner, Guadalupe jogs northwest, then north again; main travel corridor eventually merges with North Lamar further north. Photo: Romil, posted in forum.skyscraperpage.com.2014-11-20T15:17:40+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/09/02/ut-should-pay-for-east-campus-urban-rail-not-austin-taxpayers/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/0_arn_procon-map-wcampus-halfmile-sanjac-stns-annot.jpg0_ARN_ProCon-map-WCampus-halfmile-SanJac-stns-annotProject Connect map showing half-mile radius from proposed urban rail stations. Except for a mainly commercial and retail sliver along the Drag, most of high-density West Campus residential neighborhood is beyond station access radius.2014-11-20T15:17:15+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/15/project-connects-gold-plated-austin-urban-rail-plan-shows-planning-process-way-off-course/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_gold-plates-x_gg2-net.jpg0_ARN_Gold-plates-x_gg2-netGraphic: GG2.net2014-11-20T15:14:41+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/02/three-incontrovertible-facts-about-urban-rail-proposals-in-austin/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3_arn_fta-new-start-profile-of-2000-cmta-lrt-summary-table_annotated-screenshot.jpg3_ARN_FTA-New-Start-Profile-of-2000-CMTA-LRT-Summary-table_Annotated-screenshotScreenshot from Federal Transit Administration's New Start summary table of Capital Metro's 2000 urban rail (light rail transit) plan. Projected daily ridership (circled in red) of 37,400 is more than double the 18,000 Project Connect claims for its current Highland-Riverside proposal — and more than triple a more realistic figure of 12,000. Annotation: ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2_arn_procon-urban-rail-hancock-highland-acc-map-snippet_arn-screenshot.jpg2_ARN_ProCon-Urban-rail-Hancock-Highland-ACC-map-snippet_ARN-screenshotCloseup of Highland ACC segment of Project Connect's proposed urban rail map shows how the proposed urban rail line (orange) would effectively duplicate the existing MetroRail Red Line paralleling Airport Blvd. (MetroRail drawn as red line, with Highland station shown as red dot near top of map). Project Connect line would terminate at ACC administration building on far east side of campus, with no plans for extension, and no available corridor for extension. Map: Screenshot by ARN, from Project Connect map.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_acc-map-zoom-snipped-annot.jpg0_ARN_ACC-map-zoom-snipped-annotACC's map from its own website (annotated by Austin Rail Now) shows ACC campus (marked with inverted blue "teardrop" with MetroRail's Highland station at its northwest corner.2014-11-20T15:13:34+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/07/21/project-connects-urban-rail-plan-is-worse-than-nothing/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/0_arn_procon-urban-rail-map-annot.jpg0_ARN_ProCon-urban-rail-map-annotProject Connect's "urban rail" plan would not only absorb vast local financial resources, but would install "dedicated bus lanes" as an obstacle to urban rail where it's actually most needed — in Guadalupe-Lamar. Graphic: Adaptation by ARN from Project Connect map.2014-11-20T15:12:21+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/07/09/why-project-connects-highland-urban-rail-would-do-nothing-for-i-35-congestion/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2_arn_aus-map-ctrl-city-i-35-annot-rev_google-maps_arn.jpg2_ARN_aus-map-ctrl-city-I-35-annot-rev_Google-Maps_arnCommuters on I-35 would need to drive through miles of heavy congestion to reach Project Connect's proposed urban rail P&R at Highland ACC — thus, little potential for "congestion relief". In contrast, Capital Metro's Tech Ridge P&R is located upstream of I-35 congestion. Alternative Guadalupe-Lamar urban rail plan would have North Lamar Transit Center P&R at US 183, upstream of congestion. Future urban rail extension up North Lamar to Howard Lane could provide another P&R upstream of I-35 congestion. Infographic map by ARN based on Google Maps.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/0_aus-hwy-i-35-dntn-congstn-20091109_kvue-tv.jpg0_aus-hwy-i-35-dntn-congstn-20091109_KVUE-TVI-35 is the most congested roadway in Texas. But is this really the main travel corridor for commuters from "Highland-Riverside" neighborhoods to the Core Area? And would Project Connect's proposed urban rail line have any perceptible impact? Photo source: KVUE-TV.2014-11-20T15:11:28+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/06/20/project-connects-urban-rail-forecasting-methodology-inflating-ridership-with-fudge-factor/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2_arn_procon_ridership-forecasting-meth-memo_screenshot.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_Ridership-forecasting-meth-memo_screenshotScreenshot of page 1 of Alliance Transportation Group's Technical Memorandum on Project Connect's ridership forecasting methodology.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/0_arn_icon-fudge-factor-ice-cream-z_watts-up-with-that-blog.jpg0_ARN_icon-fudge-factor-ice-cream-z_Watts-Up-With-That-blogGraphic: Watts Up With That blog2014-11-20T15:09:50+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/05/17/project-connects-wasteful-plan-ultra-pricey-urban-rail-decoration-in-the-wrong-route/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2_arn_lrt-maps-2000-vs-procon_cmp.jpg2_ARN_LRT-maps-2000-vs-ProCon_CMPLEFT: Capital Metro 2000 urban rail plan included initial minimum operable segment (MOS) running 14.6 miles down Capital Metro railway, Lamar, and Guadalupe to CBD, plus 5.4 miles of extension down South Congress to Ben White and branch into East Austin. Total 20.0 miles surface route (with adaptation of existing river bridge) would cost $1.2 million in current dollars ($60 million/mile). RIGHT: Project Connect plan proposes a 9.5-mile route from East Riverside, crossing river on new "signature" bridge, proceeding through east side of CBD, East Campus, along Dean Keaton and Red River to Hancock Center, then into open cut and tunnel, then along Airport Blvd. into Highland site. Total cost: $1.1 billion ($119 million/mile) in current dollars. https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/0_arn_lh_ccag-mtg-20140516_scrnshot-coa-video.jpg0_ARN_LH_CCAG-mtg-20140516_scrnshot-COA-videoLyndon Henry speaking to Central Corridor Advisory Group, 16 May 2014. Screenshot from City of Austin video.2014-11-20T15:07:53+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/05/03/project-connects-urban-rail-plan-costs-way-too-much-to-do-too-little/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2_procon-ccag-mtg-ldrshp-keahey-20140502-1261_lh.jpg2_ProCon-CCAG-mtg-ldrshp-Keahey-20140502-1261_lhKyle Keahey, Project Connect's Urban Rail Lead (bottom row, center) during presentation to CCAG. Top row, facing, left to right: CCAG leading members Bill Spelman (Austin City Council), John Langmore (Capital Metro), Maypor Lee Leffingwell, Sid Covington (Lone Star Rail). Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/0_aus-lrt-map-prop-procon-plan-20140502_keye-scrnshot.jpg0_aus-lrt-map-prop-ProCon-plan-20140502_KEYE-scrnshotMap of Project Connect's urban rail proposal, as shown by KEYE-TV. Despite blurry image quality, the convoluted, meandering character of the route, well to the east of central Austin and its core axis, can be seen. Screenshot: L. Henry.2014-11-20T15:06:59+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/04/14/austin-urban-rail-unfortunate-revelations-from-project-connects-april-12th-workshop/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1_arn_aus-lrt-map-proposed-2000-plan_lrn-library.jpg1_ARN_aus-lrt-map-proposed-2000-plan_LRN-libraryUrban rail (light rail transit) route proposed in 2000 was much straighter, simpler, cost-effective, and affordable, will no major civil works. Project was approved by majority of City of Austin voters, but failed in Capital Metro service area as a whole. Map: Light Rail Now library.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/0_arn_procon-workshop-erc-20140412-1255_lh.jpg0_ARN_ProCon-workshop-ERC-20140412-1255_lhAt April 12th "public workshop", attendees watch presentation from Project Connect Urban rail Lead Kyle Keahey. Photo: L. Henry.2014-11-20T15:06:06+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/02/10/science-seems-missing-from-project-connects-scientific-transit-planning/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1_arn_aus-urb-highland-red-river-duval-altvs-cmp-1_lh-google-maps.jpg1_ARN_aus-urb-Highland-Red-River-Duval-altvs-CMP-1_LH-Google-MapsBoth Red River (left) and Duval (right) are narrow 2-lane neighborhood streets, with barely space for local parking on Red River and bike lanes on Duval. L. Henry screenshot from Google Maps streetview.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/0_arn_procon-highland-alignment-altvs-2014-jan.jpg0_ARN_ProCon-Highland-alignment-altvs-2014-JanProject Connect's proposed "high-capacity transit" alternative alignments for "Highland" sector.2014-11-20T15:03:40+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/02/01/viewpoint-community-action-must-clean-up-public-agencies-transportation-planning-mess/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1_arn_n-austin-neighborhoods_lovenorthaustin-com.jpg1_ARN_N-Austin-neighborhoods_LoveNorthAustin-comMajor North Austin neighborhoods. Map: LoveNorthAustin.com.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/0_arn_aus-urb-trf-congstn-n-lamar-ampeak-metrorapid-20140127-x_steve-knapp.jpg0_ARN_aus-urb-trf-congstn-N-Lamar-AMpeak-MetroRapid-20140127-x_Steve-KnappTraffic congestion on North Lamar on morning of Jan. 27th, first day of full MetroRapid service. MetroRapid "rapid transit" bus can be seen in far distance at rear of traffic queue. Photo: Steve Knapp.2014-11-20T15:02:57+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/22/dobbs-why-are-we-squandering-our-best-asset/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/3_arn_aus-lrt-stc-map-proposed-urban-rail-roma-2008.jpgDAP_corridor plan_4.21.08 presOriginal urban rail "circulator" system in 2008 map of ROMA consulting team plan, contracted by City of Austin.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2_arn_aus-urb-map-pop-density-g-l-corridor_procon-mapbookv5.jpg2_ARN_aus-urb-map-pop-density-G-L-corridor_ProCon-Mapbookv5https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1_arn_uli-presentation-p42-fta-rules.jpg1_ARN_ULI-presentation-p42-FTA-rulesExcerpt from ULI presentation.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_aus-urb-n-lamar-trf-triangle-bkgrnd-20131205-1133_lh.jpg0_ARN_aus-urb-N-Lamar-trf-Triangle-bkgrnd-20131205-1133_lhNorth Lamar traffic (several blocks north of the Triangle). Guadalupe-Lamar travel corridor carries heaviest traffic flow of any local Central Austin arterial, serves residential concentration ranking among highest density in Texas, serves 31% of all Austin jobs — yet corridor was "dismembered" by Project Connect and excluded from "Central Corridor" study! Photo: L. Henry.2014-11-20T15:01:06+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/17/bus-paveways-on-guadalupe-lamar-project-connects-elephant-in-the-room/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_aus-bus-brt-testrun-n-lamar-koenig-20131220-1195_lh.jpg0_ARN_aus-bus-brt-testrun-N-Lamar-Koenig-20131220-1195_lhCapital Metro MetroRapid bus in test operation on North Lamar, Dec. 2010. Photo: L. Henry.2014-11-20T15:00:08+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/07/project-connect-needs-an-overhaul/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_procon_ccag-mtg-20131206-henry-lyndon-2.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_CCAG-mtg-20131206-Henry-Lyndon-2Lyndon Henry, technical consultant for Texas Association for Public Transportation, making presentation to CCAG on Dec. 6th. Screenshot from City of Austin video.2014-11-20T14:59:11+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/05/memo-to-ccag-pause-study-or-include-lamar-sector/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1_arn_procon_map-lamar-sector.jpg1_ARN_ProCon_map-Lamar-sector"Lamar" sector ("sub-corridor") includes a portion og Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. Map: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_pause-button.jpg0_ARN_Pause Button2015-02-13T12:01:59+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/03/questions-for-project-connect/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_procon_map-travel-demand-sectors-2035.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_map-Travel-Demand-sectors-2035Project Connect's data visualization of congestion in 2035 for study area sectors shows congestion in every direction. But wasn't this supposed to be a study to determine best travel corridor to serve core area, not a "beauty contest" among "competing" sectors of the city?2014-11-20T14:56:56+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/01/from-community-participation-then-to-community-exclusion-today/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1_arn_community-mtg-tor-scarborough-transit-20120306_torontoist.jpg1_ARN_Community-mtg-TOR-scarborough-transit-20120306_TorontoistReal community meetings, such as this one focused on transit options in Toronto, allow free and open discussion and facilitate questions and comments from the attendees. In contrast, Project Connect's events have squelched community discussion and sought to manage and muzzle discussion. Photo: Torontoist.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_procon_open-house-8attendees-2012.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_open-house-8attendees-2012As democratic involvement and real meetings have disappeared, public participation at Project Connect's events, such as this "open house", has withered. Photo: Project Connect. 2014-11-20T14:56:03+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/26/citys-2010-urban-rail-study-actually-examined-corridors-but-botched-the-analysis/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2_arn_coa-urs_cats-corr-study-map-p3-4-2010.jpg2_ARN_COA-URS_CATS-corr-study-map-p3-4-2010CATS map of actual potential rail corridors studied. Map: COA and URS.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0_arn_coa-urs_cats-corr-study-map-p3-4-2010-snip.jpg0_ARN_COA-URS_CATS-corr-study-map-p3-4-2010-snipCloseup of City's Central Austin Transit Study map, showing core, potential rail corridors, and City's version of route to "North Central Austin" (Hyde Park via Speedway). Guadalupe-Lamar was avoided. Map: Snip from COA document.2014-11-20T14:53:48+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/17/surprise-mayor-and-project-connect-select-same-routes-they-wanted-in-the-first-place/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2_arn_procon_eval-matrix-measures-2030-projectns-snip.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_Eval-matrix-measures-2030-projectns-snipSnippet of ProCon's evaluation matrix shows predominant emphasis on hypothetical future projections rather than current factual data.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1_arn_procon_aus-map-highland-erc-revealed-20131115.jpg1_ARN_ProCon_aus-map-Highland-ERC-revealed-20131115Project Connect's "recommendation" revealed on Nov. 15th. Photo: ProCon.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0_arn_shocked-guy-with-questions-cartoon.jpg0_ARN_shocked-guy-with-questions-cartoon2014-11-20T14:52:43+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/10/how-urban-rail-can-be-installed-in-the-guadalupe-lamar-corridor/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn1_hou-lrt-trn-fannin-nr-binz-ewing-trf-left-turn-20040205-28487-x_peter-ehrlich.jpgARN1_hou-lrt-trn-Fannin-nr-Binz-Ewing-trf-left-turn-20040205-28487-x_Peter-EhrlichHaving crossed intersection, Houston LRT train accesses station on Fannin St. as traffic control system allows queue of motor vehicles to make left turn over track reservation behind it.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_aus-lrt-sim-guadalupe-ut-tower-2000-x_lrn.jpgARN0_aus-lrt-sim-Guadalupe-UT-tower-2000-x_lrnRendition of LRT train on Guadalupe (the Drag) passing UT campus. Graphic: Capital Metro, via Light Rail Now.2014-11-20T14:50:34+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/18/no-urban-rail-on-guadalupe-lamar-then-get-ready-for-bus-lanes/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn3_hou-lrt-smith-lands-stn-fannin-st-20040205-28435-x_peter-ehrlich.jpgARN3_hou-lrt-Smith-Lands-stn-Fannin-St-20040205-28435-x_Peter-EhrlichHouston's MetroRail demonstrates that LRT can attract and carry more passengers faster, more effectitly and safely, more cost-effectively than high-capacity bus operations. Photo: Peter Ehrlich.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn1_prjcon_brt-500mn-twg-20120515_prjcon.jpgARN1_PrjCon_BRT-500mn-TWG-20120515_PrjConExcerpt from Project Connect presentation in May 2012 indicating planned $500 million package for MetroRapid "BRT" facilities, including Guadalupe-Lamar. Graphic: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_otw-bus-brt-oc-transpo-bus-queue-mackenzie-bridge-20110921_errol-mcghion_otw-sun.jpgARN0_otw-bus-brt-OC-Transpo-bus-queue-MacKenzie-Bridge-20110921_Errol-McGhion_Otw-SunOttawa's "BRT" Transitway delivers a "conga line" of buses onto urban streets. Photo: Errol McGhion.2014-11-20T14:48:52+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/19/why-the-metrorapid-bus-project-currently-is-not-an-obstacle-to-urban-rail-in-guadalupe-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn3_por_lrt-interstate-av-prescott-stn-20060618-32853-x_peter-ehrlich.jpgARN3_por_lrt-Interstate-Av-Prescott-stn-20060618-32853-x_Peter-EhrlichPortland's light rail transit line on 4-lane Interstate Avenue gives an idea of how urban rail could operate in reservation in G-L corridor. (Photo: Peter Ehrlich)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn2_aus-bus-brt-metrorapid-stns-n-lamar-tc-guad-39-st-2013_downtown-austin_mike-dahmus.jpgARN2_aus-bus-brt-MetroRapid-stns-N-Lamar-TC-Guad-39-St-2013_Downtown-Austin_Mike-DahmusMetroRapid bus stations are minimalist, low-cost, modular (movable). LEFT: Completed station at North Lamar Transit Center (Photo: Downtown Austin Alliance) • RIGHT: Bus stop on Guadalupe at 39th St. being upgraded for MetroRapid (Photo: Mike Dahmus)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn1_aus-bus-brt-map-metrorapid-g-l-corridor-2013_cmta.jpgARN1_aus-bus-brt-map-MetroRapid-G-L-corridor-2013_CMTAMetroRapid bus route (black line) planned for the G-L corridor. Red line denotes MetroRapid in the Burnet-South Lamar corridor. (Map: Capital Metro)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_aus-bus-brt-metrorapid-fleet-frontview-2013-x_filipa-rodrigues_kut-news.jpgARN0_aus-bus-brt-MetroRapid-fleet-frontview-2013-x_Filipa-Rodrigues_KUT-NewsNew MetroRapid buses, representing about 53% of total project cost, could readily be redeployed to other rutes or new premium-bus services. In the meantime, MetroRapid service on Guadalupe-Lamar could be re-purposed and presented as precursor to urban rail. (Photo: Filipa Rodrigues, KUT News)2014-11-20T14:47:15+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/01/24/baker-whats-behind-the-switch-from-urban-rail-to-brt/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0_arn_roger-baker-speaks-to-campo-board-20111114-x_winter-patriot_youtube-screengrab.jpg0_ARN_Roger-Baker-speaks-to-CAMPO-board-20111114-x_Winter-Patriot_YouTube-screengrabRoger Baker speaks to CAMPO committee, 14 Nov, 2011. Screengrab from YouTube video by Winter Patriot.2014-11-20T14:34:18+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/24/baker-connecting-some-dots-on-austins-urban-rail-planning/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4_arn_sim-ut-med-school-planned-20130509-z_via-kut-org.jpg4_ARN_sim-UT-med-school-planned-20130509-z_via-KUT-orgSimulation of future UT medical school development, providing expansion opportunities for University of Texas, Seton medical interests, and other real estate development investors. Graphic via KUT.org.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3_arn_coa_erc-map-plan-snip-z_via-goodlife-realty.jpg3_ARN_COA_ERC-map-plan-snip-z_via-Goodlife-RealtyEast Riverside development plan, promoted by City, is a bonanza for powerful real estate development interests. Gentrification is replacing lower-cost affordable apartments with expensive condos and upscale commercial and office developments, many with premium river views. Map: City of Austin via Goodlife Realty.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_connect-dots-cash.jpg0_ARN_Connect-dots-cashGraphic by ARN.2014-11-20T14:33:25+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/11/05/austin-flawed-urban-rail-plan-defeated-campaign-for-guadalupe-lamar-light-rail-moves-ahead/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/01_arn_ourrail9.png01_ARN_ourrail9https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/00_arn_kxan-news-urban-rail-bond-vote-58-42-20141104-z_lh-screenshot.jpg00_ARN_KXAN-News-urban-rail-bond-vote-58-42-20141104-z_LH-screenshotElection night graphic on KXAN-TV News showed heavy loss for Highland-Riverside urban rail bonds proposition. Final tally was 57%-43%. Screenshot by L. Henry.2014-11-11T11:23:12+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/11/02/derailing-the-mueller-urban-rail-express-preamble-to-project-connects-2013-high-capacity-transit-study/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2_arn_procon_map_mueller-urban-rail-phase1.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_Map_Mueller-urban-rail-Phase1Finalized in May 2012, 5.5-mile, $550-million Phase 1 urban rail starter line was proposed to connect downtown, UT East Campus, Hancock Center, and Mueller site. Graphic: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/0_arn_aus-lrt-map-proposed-stc-plan-2006-x_aus-chron.jpg0_ARN_aus-lrt-map-proposed-stc-plan-2006-x_aus-chronUrban rail concept started as a plan for a streetcar "circulator" system, shown in this early map from 2006. Map adapted from Austin Chronicle.2014-11-07T11:55:04+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/11/04/the-fraudulent-study-behind-the-misguided-highland-riverside-urban-rail-plan/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/3_arn_ut-campus-x_via-utrugby-com.jpgUniversity of Texas Austin campus at sunset-dusk - aerial viewStudent travel was omitted from Project Connect's evaluation process, although their ultimately recommended route connected UT, the state's largest university, with ACC, the city's major community college. Photo via UTRugby.com.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/2_arn_procon-ppt-slide-workshop-corridor-preference-20131105-xz_workingbird-blog.jpg2_ARN_ProCon-PPT-slide-workshop-corridor-preference-20131105-xz_Workingbird-BlogPowerPoint slide in Nov. 2013 Project Connect public presentation shows audience's overwhelming preference for "Lamar" — a proxy for the Guadalupe-Lamar travel corridor. Photo: Workingbird Blog.2014-11-05T21:21:12+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/10/28/who-are-those-guys-real-estate-development-interests-and-austins-urban-rail-boondoggle/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/13-arn_twg-gateway-planning-ppt-20120427-airport-blvd-fiskville.jpg13 ARN_TWG-Gateway-Planning-PPT-20120427-Airport-Blvd-FiskvilleSlide from 2012 Gateway presentation to TWG showed rendering of possible TOD in Fiskville corridor near Airport Blvd.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/12-arn_developer-list-airport-highland.jpg12 ARN_Developer-list-Airport-HighlandDevelopment interests in Highland ACC and Airport Blvd. area.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/11-arn_twg-gateway-planning-ppt-20120427-rainey-st-taxvalue.jpg11 ARN_TWG-Gateway-Planning-PPT-20120427-Rainey-St-taxvalueSlide from 2012 Gateway presentation to TWG showed possible economic and tax benefits of urban rail plan in Rainey St. neighborhood.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/10-arn_twg-gateway-planning-ppt-20120427-rainey-st-potential-devt.jpg10 ARN_TWG-Gateway-Planning-PPT-20120427-Rainey-St-potential-devtSlide from 2012 Gateway presentation to TWG showed possible future Rainey St. development boom.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/9-arn_developer-list-eastside-cbd.jpg9 ARN_Developer-list-Eastside-CBDDevelopment interests in east side of CBD.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/8-arn_developer-list-south-shore.jpg8 ARN_Developer-list-South-ShoreDevelopment interests in South Shore area.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/7-arn_twg-gateway-planning-ppt-20120427-south-shore-taxvalue.jpg7 ARN_TWG-Gateway-Planning-PPT-20120427-South-Shore-taxvalueSlide from 2012 Gateway presentation to TWG showed possible economic and tax benefits of urban rail plan in South Shore area.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/6-arn_twg-gateway-planning-ppt-20120427-south-shore-longterm-devt.jpg6 ARN_TWG-Gateway-Planning-PPT-20120427-South-Shore-longterm-devtSlide from 2012 Gateway presentation to TWG showed possible future South Shore development boom.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5-arn_twg-gateway-planning-ppt-20120427-south-shore-current-devt.jpg5 ARN_TWG-Gateway-Planning-PPT-20120427-South-Shore-current-devtSlide from 2012 Gateway presentation to TWG showed adjacent South Shore property owners that stood to benefit.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/4-arn_map-key_aas-20070806_screenshot-of-dd-scan.jpg4 ARN_Map-key_AAS-20070806_Screenshot-of-DD-scanMap and key of East Riverside developments as of August 2007. Screenshot of scan of Statesman map by Dave Dobbs.2014-12-09T00:30:00+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/10/30/lets-go-austin-tea-baiting-from-an-awfully-glass-house/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/0_arn_tea-party-rev-wm-temple-c-span2-x_alternet-org.jpg0_ARN_Tea-Party-Rev-Wm-Temple-C-SPAN2-x_Alternet-orgTea Party activist. Photo: Alternet.org.2015-02-11T15:51:36+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/10/27/lloyd-doggett-dupe-or-accomplice-in-rail-bonds-campaigns-tea-baiting/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/0_arn_letsgoaus-mailer-doggett-2014-oct-1488-xz.jpg0_ARN_LetsGoAus-mailer-Doggett-2014-Oct-1488-xzCampaign mailer from Let's Go Austin publicizes Rep. Lloyd Doggett's backing of urban rail bonds proposition in Nov. 4th election. Was Rep. Doggett duped or "strong-armed" into supporting this seriously flawed proposition?2014-11-06T02:20:35+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/10/22/urban-rail-bonds-proposal-is-not-prop-1-anymore-its-just-proposition/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/0_arn_travis-cnty-urban-rail-prop-ballot-20141104_lh-screenshot.jpg0_ARN_Travis-Cnty-Urban-rail-prop-ballot-20141104_LH-screenshotExcerpt from Travis County's sample ballot for Nov. 4th shows that the urban rail bonds measure will be titled just "Proposition, City of Austin". Screenshot by L. Henry.2014-10-22T14:08:55+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/10/13/latest-tti-data-confirm-guadalupe-lamar-is-central-local-arterial-corridor-with-heaviest-travel/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/5_arn_graph_g-l-vs-h-r-annual-delay.jpg5_ARN_Graph_G-l-vs-H-R-annual-delayGraph illustrates that congestion (person-hours of delay) in Guadalupe-Lamar is nearly three times that of arterials in the Highland-Riverside route.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/4_arn_graph_g-l-vs-h-r-vmt.jpg4_ARN_Graph_G-l-vs-H-R-VMTGraph illustrates that traffic flow in Guadalupe-Lamar is at a volume about 2.4 times that of arterials in the Highland-Riverside route.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/3_arn_graph_inner-city-n-s-corridors-annual-delay.jpg3_ARN_Graph_Inner-city-N-S-corridors-annual-delayGraph illustrates that congestion (person-hours of delay) in Guadalupe-Lamar is nearly twice that of the next highest inner-city north-south corridor, South Congress.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2_arn_graph_inner-city-n-s-corridors-vmt.jpg2_ARN_Graph_Inner-city-N-S-corridors-VMTGraph illustrates that traffic flow in Guadalupe-Lamar is more than twice that of any other inner-city north-south corridor.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/0_aus-urb-nlamar-trf-bus-triangle-bkgrnd-20131205-1140_lh.jpg0_aus-urb-NLamar-trf-bus-Triangle-bkgrnd-20131205-1140_lhHeavy peak-hour traffic on North Lamar. Guadalupe-Lamar is Austin's most heavily travelled inner-city central corridor, long seen as top priority for urban rail. Photo: L. Henry.2014-10-14T11:29:42+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/10/05/a-plan-b-proposal-for-a-guadalupe-lamar-alternative-urban-rail-starter-line/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/2_arn_planb-g-l-urban-rail-altv-est-cost.jpg2_ARN_PlanB-G-L-urban-rail-altv-est-costhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/0_arn_g-l-lrt-nltc-cbd-seaholm-annot2.jpg0_ARN_G-L-LRT-NLTC-CBD-Seaholm-annot2Proposed 6.8-mile "Plan B" light rail transit line in Guadalupe-Lamar corridor would have 17 stations and connect the North Lamar Transit Center at U.S> 183 with Crestview, the Triangle, UT and the West Campus, the Capitol Complex, the CBD, and the Seaholm-Amtrak area. It's projected to serve 3 times the ridership of the Prop. 1 Highland-Riverside rail line at slightly over half the capital cost.2014-10-20T14:11:52+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/24/reality-check-how-plausible-are-project-connects-timespeed-claims-for-highland-riverside-urban-rail-plan/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/6_arn_chart-lrt-mph-exclusive-rev.jpg6_ARN_Chart-LRT-mph-exclusive-revhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/5_arn_chart-lrt-mph-street.jpg5_ARN_Chart-LRT-mph-streethttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4_arn_dobbs_table-lrt-comparative-distance-time-speed-rev.jpg4_ARN_Dobbs_Table-LRT-comparative-distance-time-speed-revTable of LRT average schedule speeds and other data compiled by Dave Dobbs.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3_arn_lrn_table-lrt-avg-speeds.jpg3_ARN_LRN_Table-LRT-avg-speedsTable of LRT average schedule speeds from Light Rail Now website.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2_arn_procon_travel-times-slide-ppt-cmta-bod-20140623-annot-z.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_Travel-times-slide-PPT-CMTA-BOD-20140623-annot-zScreenshot from Project Connect's June 23rd presentation to Capital Metro board, showing travel time claims for proposed urban rail project.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_phx-cha-lrt-street-vs-excl-comp_cmp-0.jpg0_ARN_phx-cha-LRT-street-vs-excl-comp_CMP-0LEFT: Phoenix's Metro LRT — similar to Project Connect's proposed Highland-Riverside line — runs almost entirely in street and arterial alignments, with maximum speed limits, traffic signal interruptions, and sharp turning movements that slow running speed. Average schedule speed: 18.0 mph. (Photo: OldTrails.com) RIGHT: Charlotte's Lynx LRT runs entirely in an exclusive alignment following a former railway right-of-way. Average schedule speed: 23.0 mph. (Photo: RailFanGuides.us)2014-08-26T12:41:02+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/22/why-project-connects-urban-rail-plan-would-remove-just-1800-cars-a-day-not-10000/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3_arn_how-many-cars-would-urban-rail-remove.jpg3_ARN_How-many-cars-would-urban-rail-removeSummary chart compares Project Connect's claim of taking "10,000 cars off the road every weekday" vs. (1) ARN's analysis of probable actual number of cars removed by Highland-Riverside line and (2) projected number of cars that would be removed from Austin's roadways by alternative Guadalupe-Lamar urban rail plan.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2_arn_screenshot-procon-slide-remove-10k-cars-claim-cmta-20140623-annot-z.jpg2_ARN_Screenshot-ProCon-slide-remove-10K-cars-claim-CMTA-20140623-annot-zScreenshot from Project Connect slide presentation claiming Highland-Riverside rail plan would remove "10,000 cars" a day.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_aus-hwy-i-35-trf-congestion-20121203_aus-culturemap-com.jpg0_ARN_aus-hwy-I-35-trf-congestion-20121203_Aus-CultureMap-comProject Connect's Highland-Riverside alignment would have negligible impact on I-35 congestion. Photo via Austin.CultureMap.com.2014-10-04T17:31:26+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/11/official-urban-rail-plan-bulldozed-to-ballot-in-bulging-bundle/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/4_arn_tax-burden-treadmill-cartoon-z_active-rain-website.jpg4_ARN_tax-burden-treadmill-cartoon-z_Active-Rain-websiteAustin homeowners and other residents are steadily burdened with higher taxes and utility rates, with the rationale of vague "projections" of local "new jobs" and other benefits whose validity is never reliably tracked. Are massive subsidies to real estate developers, projects like the F1 racetrack, UT's East Campus expansion plans, the Medical Center development, a largely "showpiece" urban rail line, and other ventures worth this sacrifice?https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3_coa_smp2014-road-prj-map.jpg3_COA_SMP2014-road-prj-mapCity's "2014 Strategic Mobility Plan" is packed with road projects that must be funded before urban rail bonds can be issued. Potential cost dwarfs cost of rail. ("Future Phases of Urban Rail" dashed lines on map are likely just sucker bait to lure support from gullible voters; fine print specifies merely "high-capacity transit" which could mean "bus rapid transit", term used to describe MetroRapid bus service.) Map: Screenshot from SMP.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/2_arn_aus-i-35-interchg-constrctn_robert-miller_texasfreeway-com.jpg2_ARN_Aus-I-35-interchg-constrctn_Robert-Miller_TexasFreeway-comCouncil's ballot measure makes urban rail funding contingent on road construction projects potentially more expensive than rail. Photo: Robert Miller, via TexasFreeway.com.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_garbage-bag_glogster-com.jpg0_ARN_garbage-bag_Glogster-comCity Council's Aug. 7th urban rail ballot measure was included in massive bundle with other disparate items. Graphic: Glogster.com.2014-08-16T02:32:42+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/14/project-connect-gets-it-wrong-urban-rail-starter-lines-are-much-cheaper-than-extensions/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/3_arn_lrt-cost-per-mile-starter-vs-procon-ext.jpg3_ARN_LRT-cost-per-mile-starter-vs-ProCon-extUsing Project Connect's selected LRT systems, this comparison shows that the cost per mile of new starter lines tends to be significantly less than the cost of later extensions. Graph: ARN.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_den-starter-vs-ext-west-line_cmp-0.jpg0_ARN_den-starter-vs-ext-West-Line_CMP-0LEFT: Denver's starter LRT line, a 5.3-mile line opened in 1994, was routed and designed as a simple, surface-routed project to minimize construction time and cost. All-surface alignment avoided heavy, expensive civil works and kept design as simple as possible. Photo: Peter Ehrlich. RIGHT: Subsequent extensions, such as this West line opened in 2013, have required bridges, grade separations, and other major civil works, resulting in a unit cost 61% higher than that of the starter line. Photo: WUNC.org.2014-08-15T03:10:27+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/08/06/legal-ethical-questions-persist-over-project-connects-ad-blitz-for-urban-rail-plan/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/0_arn_procon_urban-rail-ad-20140725_yahoo-news.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_Urban-rail-ad-20140725_Yahoo-NewsProject Connect campaign ad as seen on a Yahoo.com news page in July 2014. Screenshot by ARN.2014-08-07T03:26:33+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/07/14/project-connects-tax-funded-urban-rail-campaign-ad-blitz-raises-red-flags/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/0_arn_procon_ad-urban-rail-sideview-20140713-z_screenshot-lh.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_Ad-urban-rail-sideview-20140713-z_screenshot-lhGraphic excerpted from Project Connect's ad blitz currently running on local TV outlets. Graphic: Screenshot.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/procon_ad-urban-rail-20140713-z_screenshot-lh.jpgProCon_Ad-urban-rail-20140713-z_screenshot-lhGraphic excerpted from Project Connect's ad blitz currently running on local TV outlets. Graphic: Screenshot.2014-07-14T11:34:07+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/07/01/city-council-to-austin-community-shut-up/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/2_arn_coa-council-mtg-scott-morris1-20140626-x_coa-video.jpg2_ARN_COA-Council-mtg-Scott-Morris1-20140626-x_COA-videoOurRail PAC leader Scott Morris denounces Council's action to constrict debate. Photo: COA video screenshot.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/0_arn_coa-council-votes-unan-for-lpa-20140626-1324_lh.jpg0_ARN_COA-Council-votes-unan-for LPA-20140626-1324_lhAfter squelching public input, Austin City Council votes unanimously on June 26th to endorse Project Connect's Highland-Riverside urban rail plan as Locally Preferred Alternative. Photo: L. Henry.2014-07-01T22:43:07+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/06/21/project-connects-500-million-plan-for-bus-infrastructure-the-elephant-in-the-road-on-guadalupe-lamar-that-could-block-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/6_arn_sb3-bus-brt-omni-sbx-stn-pax-paveway_ttcinlandempire-blog.jpg6_ARN_sb3-bus-brt-OMNI-sbX-stn-pax-paveway_ttcinlandempire-blogReinforced paveway on San Bernardino's sbX "BRT" Green Line shows that adequately "dedicated" bus lanes require more than just paint striping. Photo: TTC Inland Empire blog.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/7_arn_kc-bus_hou-lrt_cmp2.jpg7_ARN_kc-bus_hou-lrt_CMP2Passenger stations of Kansas City's MAX "BRT" (left) and Houston's MetroRail LRT (right) illustrate significant design differences between bus and LRT facilities. Thus major infrastructure, from running ways to stations, installed for "BRT" must be removed or reconstructed for LRT — a substantial expense and thus obstacle to rail. Photos: ARN library.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/5_arn_procon_map-north-corridor-plans.jpg5_ARN_ProCon_map-North-Corridor-plansProject Connect's North Corridor plan includes "BRT" extensions of MetroRapid (shown in green) into northern suburbs. Map: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/4_arn_aus-bus-brt-drag-trf-congstn.jpg4_ARN_aus-bus-brt-Drag-trf-congstnCAMPO 2040 Plan includes hundreds of millions of dollars for additional investment in MetroRapid "BRT" operation. Such facilities could impose a barrier to urban rail in key corridors such as Guadalupe-Lamar. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3_arn_aus-bus-brt-stn-20131105-1106_lh.jpg3_ARN_aus-bus-brt-stn-20131105-1106_lhMetroRapid bus stops are currently designed to be modular and movable, and could be relocated to other routes or to use by urban rail. But civic officials and Project Connect representatives portray MetroRapid bus service as "permanent" form of "rapid transit" that "blocks" urban rail. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/0_arn_icon_elephant-in-road_panoramio-com.jpg0_ARN_icon_Elephant-in-road_Panoramio-comGraphic: Panoramio.com2014-06-22T12:41:54+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/09/portland-light-rail-in-east-burnside-avenue/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar6_por-lrt-trn-crossing-se181-st-burnside-av-stn-trf-20031115-1010340-x_lh.jpgAR6_por-lrt-trn-crossing-SE181-St-Burnside-Av-stn-trf-20031115-1010340-x_lhPhoto: L. Henryhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar5_por-lrt-aerial-burnside-av-ne188-st-stn-2013_lh_google-map.jpgAR5_por-lrt-aerial-Burnside-Av-NE188-St-stn-2013_lh_Google-mapPhoto: Google Maps screen capture by L. Henryhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar4_por-lrt-strmed-burnside-av-e102-st-20060619-18503_adam-benjamin.jpgAR4_por-lrt-strmed-Burnside-Av-E102-St-20060619-18503_Adam-BenjaminIn the photo above a train on the opposite track passes the East 102nd Ave. station. Even with a platform width of only 10-12 feet, LRT stations have sufficient space for TVMs (ticket vending machines), a shelter, waiting bench, and other amenities.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar3_por-lrt-strmed-burnside-av-se-stark-20060619-51276-x_peter-ehrlich.jpgAR3_por-lrt-strmed-Burnside-Av-SE-Stark-20060619-51276-x_Peter-EhrlichPhoto: Peter Ehrlichhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar2_por-lrt-aerial-burnside-av-ne181-st-stn-2013_lh_google-map.jpgAR2_por-lrt-aerial-Burnside-Av-NE181-St-stn-2013_lh_Google-mapPhoto: Google Maps screen capture by L. Henryhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar1_por-lrt-strmed-burnside-av-se-stark-trf-19861003-66814_peter-ehrlich.jpgAR1_por-lrt-strmed-Burnside-Av-SE-Stark-trf-19861003-66814_Peter-EhrlichPhoto: Peter Ehrlichhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar0_por_lrt-burnside-av-appr-ne181-av-stn-trf-20020205-29528_adam-benjamin.jpgAR0_por_lrt-Burnside-Av-appr-NE181-Av-stn-trf-20020205-29528_Adam-BenjaminLight rail train in East Burnside Avenue approaches intersection and station at NE 181st. Ave. Photo: Adam Benjamin.2014-06-18T11:35:43+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/02/01/contradicting-local-official-claims-fta-says-it-would-consider-request-for-urban-rail-on-north-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/3_arn_fta_cmta-summary-urban-rail-vs-metrorapid-project-n-lamar-20131212_lh-screenshot.jpg3_ARN_FTA_CMTA-summary-urban-rail-vs-MetroRapid-project-N-Lamar-20131212_LH-screenshotFTA's actual statement, summarized in CMTA memo provided to Councilmember Martinez. Screenshot from PDF by L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/1_arn_coa_council-mtg-transcript-martinez-20131212_lh-screenshot.jpg1_ARN_COA_Council-mtg-transcript-Martinez-20131212_LH-screenshotCity of Austin transcript excerpt with Councilmember Mike Martinez's Dec. 12th remarks on FTA, MetroRapid, and urban rail for North Lamar. Screenshot: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/0_arn_aus-bus-but-lrt-sim-cmp-0.jpg0_ARN_aus-bus-but-lrt-sim-CMP-0MetroRapid bus (left) and simulation of urban rail (right). Actual FTA view expresses openness to consider replacing MetroRapid service with urban rail in North Lamar corridor. Photo: L. Henry; simulation: COA.2014-06-17T17:23:44+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/06/15/austin-pro-rail-group-declares-war-on-project-connect-urban-rail-plan/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/arn3_procon-ccag-votes-for-lpa-20140613-1292-xz_lh.jpgARN3_ProCon-CCAG-votes-for-LPA-20140613-1292-xz_lhMajority of CCAG votes to endorse Project Connect urban rail plan. AURA leader Julie Montgomery, at table at left in photo, voted No. Photo: L. Henry. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/arn2_marcus-denton-aura-ccag-mtg-20140613b_scrnsht-coa-video.jpgARN2_Marcus-Denton-AURA-CCAG-mtg-20140613b_Scrnsht-COA-videoMarcus Denton announces AURA's opposition to Project Connect plan at CCAG meeting. Screenshot from City of Austin video.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/arn0_julie-montgomery-aura-ccag-mtg-20140613-x_lh.jpgARN0_Julie-Montgomery-AURA-CCAG-mtg-20140613-x_lhJulie Montgomery, AURA leader, was sole member of Central Corridor Advisory Group (CCAG) to vote against Project Connect's urban rail plan. Photo: L. Henry.2014-06-17T18:43:03+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/06/06/austin-business-journal-guru-slams-highland-riverside-urban-rail-proposal-as-a-very-small-plan-benefiting-a-limited-group-of-people/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/3_arn_den-lrt-w-line-opening-golden-stn-20130426-x_david-warner.jpg3_ARN_den-lrt-W-Line-opening-Golden-stn-20130426-x_David-WarnerOpening day of Denver's West Line light rail extension to Golden, Colorado, April 2013. Photo: David Warner.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/2_arn_jan-buchholz_abj.jpg2_ARN_Jan-Buchholz_abjJan Buchholz. Photo: Austin Business Journal.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/0_arn_den-lrt-map-2014_rtd.jpg0_ARN_den-lrt-map-2014_rtdBecause design and implementation dollars have been invested wisely, Denver’s light rail system increasingly resembles a network that’s expanding to serve more crucial corridors in the region. High ridership has also attracted transit oriented development (TOD) near stations, helping influence urban growth patterns. Map: RTD.2014-06-08T23:44:22+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/05/08/project-connects-austin-urban-rail-would-be-3rd-most-pricey-lrt-starter-line-in-u-s-history/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/5_arn_chart_us-lrt-starter-lines-in-street-cost-per-mi.jpg5_ARN_Chart_US-LRT-starter-lines-in-street-cost-per-mihttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/4_arn_chart_us-lrt-starter-lines-cost-per-mi_rev2.jpg4_ARN_Chart_US-LRT-starter-lines-cost-per-mi_rev2Per mile of route, proposed Highland-Riverside urban rail plan would be second most expensive light rail starter line since 1990, and third most expensive in U.S. history.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/3_arn_procon_lrt-cost-comparison.jpg3_ARN_ProCon_LRT-cost-comparisonProject Connect's chart comparing their proposed Highland-Riverside "Austin Urban Rail" starter line cost to costs of extensions of several other mature light rail transit systems.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/2_arn_procon_map_urban-rail-proposal-20140502.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_map_Urban-Rail-proposal-20140502Project Connect's proposed line, criticized for avoiding Austin's central axis and most serious mobility needs, would run 9.5 miles from the Highland site (north) to a terminus on East Riverside (southeast). Map: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/0_arn_money-flying-away.jpg0_ARN_money-flying-away2014-05-17T22:46:16+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/04/08/average-time-for-rail-transit-vote-to-succeed-after-first-failing-3-8-years/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/1_arn_barchart_rail-revote-delay.jpg1_ARN_barchart_Rail-revote-delayLeft bar: Average years of delay in cities already operating rail transit. Right bar: Average delay in cities with no current rail transit.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/0_arn_ballot-box-cartoon-crying-kid.jpg0_ARN_Ballot-Box-Cartoon-crying-kid2014-06-14T03:00:11+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/03/26/west-campus-is-where-the-students-are/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1_arn_aus-urb-map-ut-student-density-w-campus-20140319-x_cacdc.jpg1_ARN_aus-urb-map-UT-student-density-W-Campus-20140319-x_CACDCLarge cluster of red sections illustrates residents in age cohort 18-24 years old, overwhelmingly located in West Campus neighborhood just west of the Drag and the UT campus. Additional high-density clusters can be seen on campus, as well as north along and near Guadalupe. Density enclave along San Jacinto (bulge in southeast corner of campus) is small fraction of West Campus concentration. Map: CACDC.2014-08-04T19:16:53+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/03/11/northfield-neighborhood-association-first-investment-of-light-rail-should-be-guadalupe-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1_arn_northfield-res-2014-feb_pp1-2.jpg1_ARN_Northfield-res-2014-Feb_pp1-2Screenshot of Northfield NA resolution supporting light rail transit on Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/0_arn_map-northfield-na.jpg0_ARN_map-Northfield-NALeft map shows Northfield Neighborhood Association (shaded brown) in central-city context, between North Lamar and I-35. Right map zooms in on the association's boundaries, with the MetroRail Red Line (labeled as "Austin and Northwestern"), albeit with no stations, cutting through its easten side. "University of Texas" section just southwest of Northfield is UT's Intramural Fields property, which has been used for athletics and a park & ride facility for UT shuttlebuses. Maps: Northfield NA.2014-03-11T11:29:05+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/03/01/project-connect-data-in-2012-showed-urban-rail-beats-brt-in-cost-effectiveness/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2_arn_procon_rail-beats-brt-in-om-per-pm_20120601.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_Rail-beats-BRT-in-O&M-per-pm_20120601Operating & maintenance (O&M) cost per passenger-mile of urban rail is projected to be consistently lower than "bus rapid transit". Graph: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/1_arn_procon_rail-beats-brt-in-price-per-capacity_20120601.jpg1_ARN_ProCon_Rail-beats-BRT-in-price-per-capacity_20120601Total cost per passenger of urban rail becomes lower than "bus rapid transit" as ridership rises above about 10,000 per day. Graph: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/0_arn_lrt-bus-drag_cmp-0.jpg0_ARN_LRT-bus-Drag_CMP-0xxxxxx2014-03-01T12:31:59+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/09/guadalupe-lamar-is-highest-density-corridor-in-austin-according-to-project-connects-own-data/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn3_g-l-lrt-procon_map-zoom-popn-density-2010-2030_cmp-1.jpgARN3_G-L-LRT-ProCon_map-zoom-Popn-density-2010-2030_CMP-1Composite of zoomed-in snips of Project Connect maps of population density. LEFT: 2010. RIGHT: 2030. Rev. by LH from Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn2_g-l-lrt-prj-con_map-popn-density-2030-mapbookv5-2013-oct.jpgARN2_G-L-LRT-Prj-Con_map-Popn-density-2030-MapBookv5-2013-OctPopulation density projected for 2030 (G-L corridor spine in yellow). Map: Rev. by LH from Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn1_g-l-lrt-prj-con_map-popn-density-2010-mapbookv5-2013-oct.jpgARN1_G-L-LRT-Prj-Con_map-Popn-density-2010-MapBookv5-2013-OctPopulation density in 2010 (G-L corridor spine in yellow). Map: Rev. by LH from Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn0_g-l-lrt-procon_map-popn-density-2010-zoom.jpgARN0_G-L-LRT-ProCon_map-Popn-density-2010-zoomCloseup of Project Connect's central Austin map of population density for 2010 shows intense clusters of density in West Campus, along Guadalupe above W. 29th St., and in Triangle area. Map: Rev. by LH from Project Connect.2014-02-19T03:18:30+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/15/highland-neighborhood-association-endorses-guadalupe-lamar-for-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2_arn_highland-na-g-l-endorsement-p2.jpg2_ARN_Highland-NA-G-L-endorsement-p2Images of HNA resolution endorsing Guadalupe-Lamar corridor for urban rail. https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1_arn_highland-na-g-l-endorsement-p1.jpg1_ARN_Highland-NA-G-L-endorsement-p1https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0_arn_aus-urb-map-highland-nbhd-assn_google-hna.jpg0_ARN_aus-urb-map-Highland-Nbhd-Assn_Google-HNAHighland Neighborhood Association bundaries. Map: HNA.2014-02-19T03:18:00+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/02/09/project-connects-interactive-workshop-event-was-tiny-gesture-toward-democratic-engagement/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/0_arn_procon_interactive-wkshp-table-participants-20140208-1249-x_lh.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_Interactive-wkshp-table-participants-20140208-1249-x_lhStructured around issue-oriented tables, Project Connect's Feb. 8th "interactive workshop" finally managed to get dozens of community participants engaged in lively discussion.2014-02-09T23:33:25+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/01/23/city-funded-2008-downtown-austin-plan-explained-why-urban-rail-better-choice-than-bus/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1_arn_coa_roma-design_dntn-aus-plan-pres-ppt-why-rail-snip_lh.jpg1_ARN_COA_Roma-Design_Dntn-Aus-Plan-pres-PPT-Why-Rail-snip_lhScreenshot of slide from ROMA team's Austin City Council briefing.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0_arn_coa_roma-design_dntn-aus-plan-pres-ppt-title-page-full_lh.jpg0_ARN_COA_Roma-Design_Dntn-Aus-Plan-pres-PPT-title-page-full_lhBack in 2008, City of Austin hired Roma Design Group as lead consultant to design urban rail starter system plan and promote benefits of light rail over bus services. PPT title page screenshot: L. Henry.2014-01-23T22:23:59+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/01/20/kyle-keahey-urban-rail-lead-hypes-brt-as-more-affordable-more-flexible-investment-than-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/5_arn_lrt-v-brt_study_trb-2012-nov.jpg5_ARN_lrt-v-brt_study_trb-2012-novPhoenix light rail transit (LRT, left); Los Angeles Orange Line “bus rapid transit” (BRT, right). Photos: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/4_arn_keahey_hntb_brt-paper-2014_anti-rail.jpg4_ARN_Keahey_HNTB_BRT-paper-2014_Anti-railSnippet from Kyle Keahey's 2014 HNTB paper promoting BRT over rail transit (webpage version).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/3_arn_keahey_hntb_brt-paper-2011_anti-rail-web.jpg3_ARN_Keahey_HNTB_BRT-paper-2011_Anti-rail-webSnippet from Kyle Keahey's 2011 HNTB paper promoting BRT over rail transit (webpage version).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/1_arn_keahey_hntb_brt-paper-2011_title.jpg1_ARN_Keahey_HNTB_BRT-paper-2011_TitleTitle page of Kyle Keahey's 2011 HNTB paper on BRT (PDF version).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0_arn_keahey-kyle-map-2013-nov-xz_youtube-screengrab.jpg0_ARN_Keahey-Kyle-map-2013-Nov-xz_YouTube-screengrabKyle Keahey promoting "high-capacity transit" route selected by Project Connect, Nov. 2013. Photo: YouTube screengrab.2014-01-21T12:43:41+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/01/13/university-area-partners-endorsement-of-guadalupe-lamar-corridor-underscores-west-campus-support-for-backbone-urban-rail/2014-01-13T18:41:11+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/12/ut-student-government-backs-west-campus-guadalupe-lamar-route-for-first-phase-of-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_aus-urb-map-westcampus-zoom-x_rev-arn_the-galileo.jpgARN0_aus-urb-map-westcampus-zoom-x_rev-arn_The-GalileoWest Campus neighborhood, primarily represented by University Area Partners. Map: The Galileo, rev. by ARN.2014-01-12T15:47:43+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/03/central-austin-combined-neighborhoods-planning-team-endorses-guadalupe-lamar-for-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn1_canpac-endorsement2.jpgARN1_CANPAC-endorsement2Image of memo conveying G-L endorsement from CANPAC to Austin Mayor Leffingwell.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn0_canpac_plan-area.gifARN0_CANPAC_plan-areaCentral Austin Combined Planning Area. Map: CANPAC.2014-01-12T15:47:05+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/20/crestview-neighborhood-association-endorses-guadalupe-lamar-for-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2_arn_crestview-na_endorsemt-g-l-corr.jpg2_ARN_Crestview-NA_Endorsemt-G-L-corrImage of Crestview Neighborhood Association resolution supporting urban rail in Guadalupe-Lamar corridor.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1_arn_crestview-na-map.jpg1_ARN_Crestview-NA-mapCrestview Neighborhood Association's eastern boundary lies along North Lamar Blvd. Map: CNA.2014-01-12T15:46:10+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2014/01/10/heres-what-a-real-urban-rail-public-involvement-planning-meeting-looks-like/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/0_arn_min-lrt-plng-swlrt-community-meeting-20140108_karen-boros.jpg0_ARN_min-lrt-plng-swlrt-community-meeting-20140108_Karen-BorosMinneapolis-area community meeting on proposed Southwest light rail project. Photo: Karen Boros.2014-01-13T18:40:39+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/20/will-project-connect-continue-to-gag-the-public/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_gagged-woman_aclu.jpg0_ARN_gagged-woman_acluFor over a decade, Austin public agencies have shut out and gagged the community from authentic participation in planning major projects.2013-12-20T14:21:54+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/16/whats-with-project-connects-2-9-million-daily-ridership-projection/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1_arn_procon_eval-matrix-erc-toi-ridership-snip-annot.jpg1_ARN_ProCon_Eval-matrix-ERC-TOI-ridership-snip-annotSnippet from Project Connect's "evaluation" matrix shows implausibly high year-2030 daily ridership projections, both low and high, for the "ERC" sector.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_alice-through-the-looking-glass-2.jpg0_ARN_Alice-through-the-looking-glass-2Many of Project Connect's "data projections" for 2030 were based on "wish lists" of development, population, employment, and other demographic features — leading critics to ridicule them as "fantasy". Graphic via ARN. 2013-12-19T11:28:36+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/12/16/city-council-to-central-austin-drop-dead/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/3_arn_coa_imagine-austin-map-zoomx2-annot.jpg3_ARN_COA_Imagine-Austin-map-zoomx2-annotCentral inner city and established neighborhoods immediately north of core area. Circled area indicates absence of planned "centers", despite abundant opportunities.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/2_arn_coa_imagine-austin-comprhnsv-plan_ctrs-map_coa.jpg2_ARN_COA_Imagine-Austin-Comprhnsv-Plan_Ctrs-map_COACOA's Imagine Austin Growth Concept Centers and Corridors Map, with legend.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1_arn_procon_decision-map-eside-20131115-zoomx2_via-yarak-org.jpg1_ARN_ProCon_Decision-map-Eside-20131115-zoomx2_via-Yarak-orgProject Connect's proposed urban rail route profile forms a crescent emphasizing more eastern sectors of city and avoiding heart of central city along West Campus-Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. Note how "Central Corridor" study area is skewed well to east of core area, encompassing large tracts of developable real estate. https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/0_arn_coa_imagine-austin-map-zoom.jpg0_ARN_COA_Imagine-Austin-map-zoomGrowth Concept Centers and Corridors Map from COA's Imagine Austin plan. Numbers indicate proposed "centers", increasing in assumed importance as color becomes redder. Note orientation toward major freeways and highways, and trend to promote development to east of central city.2013-12-16T20:59:26+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/30/tilt-project-connects-gerrymandering-and-data-fiddling-ignite-public-skepticism-pushback/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0_arn_procon_tv-20131126-bargraph-corr-pref-k-keahey_julie-montgomery.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_TV-20131126-bargraph-corr-pref-K-Keahey_Julie-Montgomery"Don't believe your lying eyes." At Nov. 26th "Community Conversation", Project Connect study director Kyle Keahey shows bar chart indicating overwhelming public support for "Lamar" sector, yet proceeded to justify study team's selection of "ERC" and "Highland". Photo: Julie Montgomery.2013-11-30T14:00:04+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/24/project-connect-reality-check-lamar-vs-highland-sector-ridership-comparison-fails/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2_arn_procon_eval-matrix-xls-lamar-highland-zoom-snip.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_Eval-matrix-XLS-Lamar-Highland-zoom-snipCloseup of matrix data for "Lamar" and "Highland" sectors.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1_arn_procon_eval-matrix-xls-fullpg-snip.jpg1_ARN_ProCon_Eval-matrix-XLS-fullpg-snipProject Connect Evaluation Data Table page with ridership data.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0_arn_procon_eval-matrix-lam-v-hlnd-ridership.gif0_ARN_ProCon_Eval-matrix-Lam-v-Hlnd-ridershipDespite Project Connect's startling claim, "Lamar" sector has significantly higher ridership than "Highland". Graph: ARN, from Project Connect data matrix.2013-11-25T03:40:37+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/19/highland-sector-favored-by-project-connect-but-wheres-the-travel-demand/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/3_arn_procon_travel-demand-2035-centrl-aus-heart-snip.jpg3_ARN_ProCon_Travel-demand-2035-centrl-Aus-heart-snipCloseup of projected travel demand in central core city.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/2_arn_procon_travel-demand-vectors-in-sectors-2035.jpg2_ARN_ProCon_Travel-demand-vectors-in-sectors-2035Travel demand in 2035 shows zero (or very weak) travel activity involving "Highland" sector. Infographic: CAMPO and Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/1_arn_procon_erc-highland-corr-recommendatn_20131115.jpg1_ARN_ProCon_ERC-Highland-corr-recommendatn_20131115Project Connect's anointed sectors ("sub-corridors") for urban rail, selected on Nov. 15th. Map: Project Connect.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/0_arn_procon_highland-travel-demand-2035-cameo-lg.jpg0_ARN_ProCon_Highland-travel-demand-2035-cameo-lgCloseup of data visualization of 2035 travel demand projection focusing on "Highland" sector. Snip by L. Henry of Project Connect infographic.2013-11-20T03:33:49+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/11/project-connects-corridor-study-without-corridors/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn32_aus-lrt-map-g-l-corr-procon-sector-constraints-annot-final-x_lh.jpgARN32_aus-lrt-map-G-L-corr-ProCon-sector-constraints-annot-final-x_lhInfographic shows how Project Connect’s methodology segmented Guadalupe-Corridor into nonsensical pieces, and summarizes numerous other major problems. (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn31_procon_map-travel-demand-sectors-2010-2035_cmp-31.jpgARN31_ProCon_map-Travel-Demand-sectors-2010-2035_CMP-31LEFT: Congestion by sector in 2015. RIGHT: Congestion by sector in 2035.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn21_bal-min-urb-map-tazs.jpgARN21_bal-min-urb-map-tazsLEFT: Baltimore TAZ map (Baltimore Metropolitan Council). RIGHT: Minneapolis TAZ map (Metropolitan Council).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn14_wdc-sac-urb-map-corridors.jpgARN14_wdc-sac-urb-map-corridorsLEFT: Washington — potential transit study corridors (WMATA). RIGHT: Sacramento — Designated commercial corridors (City of Sacramento).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn13_den-kc-urb-map-corridors.jpgARN13_den-kc-urb-map-corridorsLEFT: Denver — planned transit corridors (RTD). RIGHT: Kansas City — Proposed streetcar expansion corridors (NextRail-KC).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn12_cle-loveland-urb-map-corridors.jpgARN12_cle-loveland-urb-map-corridorsLEFT: Travel corridor in Cleveland (FHWA). RIGHT: Travel corridor in Loveland, Colorado (City of Loveland).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn11_hou-por-urb-corridors.jpgARN11_hou-por-urb-corridorsLEFT: Houston urban corridor planning map (City of Houston). RIGHT: Portland high-capacity transit (HCT) planning map (Transport Politic).https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn01_procon_map-sub-corridors-mapbookv5.jpgARN01_ProCon_map-Sub-Corridors-MapBookv5Project Connect's "Central Corridor" (study area) with "sub-corridors" (i.e., sectors). (Click to enlarge.)https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn00_procon_map-central-corridor-mapbookv5.jpgARN00_ProCon_map-Central-Corridor-MapBookv5Project Connect's central Austin study area (so-called "Central Corridor")2013-11-12T12:10:33+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/11/03/huge-problems-cited-with-project-connects-urban-rail-study-data/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn2_cacdc_prj-con-mapbook4-errors2.jpgARN2_CACDC_Prj-Con-MapBook4-errors2Partial listing of major errors in Project Connect Map Book and other material identified by CACDC. Screen image: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn1_cacdc_prj-con-mapbook4-errors1.jpgARN1_CACDC_Prj-Con-MapBook4-errors1https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/arn0_prj-con_mapbook4-cover-snip.jpgARN0_Prj-Con_MapBook4-cover-snipCover of Project Connect's Map Book version 4. Screen capture: L. Henry/2013-11-05T12:30:41+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/30/houstons-metrorail-shows-the-way-how-to-fit-urban-rail-into-austins-guadalupe-and-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn17_hou-lrt-nr-braeswood-greenbriar-stn-fannin-st-20040206-28436-x_peter-ehrlich.jpgARN17_hou-lrt-nr-Braeswood-Greenbriar-stn-Fannin-St-20040206-28436-x_Peter-EhrlichMetroRail train on S. Braeswood Blvd. Photo: Peter Ehrlich.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn16_hou-lrt-aerialview-dryden-tmc-stn-fannin-st_lh-cap_google-maps.jpgARN16_hou-lrt-aerialview-Dryden-TMC-stn-Fannin-St_lh-cap_Google-MapsAerial view of Dryden/TMC station. Screen capture by L. Henry from Google Maps.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn15_hou-lrt-dryden-tmc-stn-pax-boarding-20040414-x_brian-flint.jpgARN15_hou-lrt-dryden-tmc-stn-pax-boarding-20040414-x_brian-flintPassengers waiting to board train at Dryden/TMC station Photo: Brian Flint.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn14_hou-lrt-trn-at-memorial-hermann-hosp-hou-zoo_panoramio-com.jpgARN14_hou-lrt-trn-at-Memorial-Hermann-Hosp-Hou-Zoo_Panoramio-comTrain serving Memorial Hermann Hospital-Houston Zoo station. Photo: Panoramio.com.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn13_hou-lrt-aerialview-hermann-pk-rice-univ-stn-fannin-st_lh-cap_google-maps.jpgARN13_hou-lrt-aerialview-Hermann-Pk-Rice-Univ-stn-Fannin-St_lh-cap_Google-MapsAerial view of Hermann Park-Rice University station. Screen capture by L. Henry from Google Maps.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn12_hou-lrt-hermann-pk-rice-univ-stn-fannin-st-cross-sec-trf-20040205-28485-x_peter-ehrlich.jpgARN12_hou-lrt-Hermann-Pk-Rice-Univ-stn-Fannin-St-cross-sec-trf-20040205-28485-x_Peter-EhrlichMetroRail Hermann Park-Rice University station on Fannin St. Photo: Peter Ehrlich.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn11_hou-lrt-map-2-trks-fannin-san-jac-merge-into-fannin_google_lh.jpgARN11_hou-lrt-map-2-trks-Fannin-San-Jac-merge-into-Fannin_Google_lhAerial photo of Fannin-San Jacinto single tracks merging into double-track on Fannin. Photo: Photo: Screen capture by L. Henry from Google Maps.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn10_hou-lrt-openday-20040101-7683mus1xx_metro.jpgARN10_hou-lrt-openday-20040101-7683Mus1xx_metroMetroRail Museum District station. Photo: Houston Metro.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn09_hou-lrt-map-2-trk-splits-into-fannin-san-jac_google_lh.jpgARN09_hou-lrt-map-2-trk-splits-into-Fannin-San-Jac_Google_lhAerial view of 2 tracks splitting into single tracks on Fannin and San Jacinto. Photo: Screen capture by L. Henry from Google Maps.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn08_hou-lrt-map-main-st-transition-fannin-san-jac-x_google-lh.jpgARN08_hou-lrt-map-Main-St-transition-Fannin-San-Jac-x_Google-lhMap showing MetroRail transition from Main St to Fannin-San-Jacinto (Screen capture by L. Henry from Google Maps).2019-09-24T18:29:55+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/27/project-connect-admits-major-data-error-in-guadalupe-lamar-corridor-study/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arnz1_prj-con-statement-mapbook4-ridership-error-20131022_prj-con.jpgARNz1_Prj-Con-statement-MapBook4-ridership-error-20131022_Prj-ConProject Connect statement admits major error in transit ridership data for Lamar-Guadalupe corridor.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arnz0_prj-con-map-snip-mapbook4-lamar-sector.jpgARNz0_Prj-Con-map-snip-MapBook4-Lamar-sectorSnippet of Project Connect's much larger "Central Corridor" map (actually, the central-city study area) shows "Lamar" sector (in orange, dubbed a "sub-corridor" in Project Connect's peculiar nomenclature) plus several adjacent sectors. Actual Guadalupe-Lamar travel corridor includes both the Lamar and Core sectors, but each sector is being evaluated in isolation.2013-10-28T00:59:42+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/24/guadalupe-lamar-urban-rail-line-would-serve-31-of-all-austin-jobs/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arnx3_aus-lrt-map-altv-loop-devt-annot-final_lh.jpgARNx3_aus-lrt-map-altv-loop-devt-annot-final_lhTAPT proposes "loop" line, with routes on both Guadalupe-Lamar and eastide through converting the MetroRail line to electric light rail — plus a spur to Mueller.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arnx1_cacdc_map_austin-urban-rail-employment-centers-2013.jpgARNx1_CACDC_map_Austin-Urban-Rail-Employment-Centers-2013https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arnx0_cacdc_map_austin-urban-rail-employment-centers-2013-snip.jpgARNx0_CACDC_map_Austin-Urban-Rail-Employment-Centers-2013-snip2013-10-24T13:34:36+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/03/30/demographic-maps-show-lamar-guadalupe-trumps-mueller-route-for-urban-rail/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/aus-urb-map-rte-decisions-austin-densities_wood.jpgaus-urb-map-rte-decisions-Austin-Densities_Wood2013-10-21T21:29:14+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/18/petition-i-want-to-ride-light-rail-on-guadalupenorth-lamar/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_aus-lrt-map-guadalupe-lamar-cmp-0_tapt-cacdc.jpgARN0_aus-lrt-map-Guadalupe-Lamar-CMP-0_TAPT-CACDCTAPT plan (left) and CACDC plan (right) both propose Guadalupe-Lamar as the major focus of Austin's Phase 1 urban rail starter line.2013-10-19T02:04:13+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/18/heres-what-a-real-public-meeting-on-rail-transit-looks-like-in-san-antonio/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_sa-lrt-stc-pubmtg-crowd-20130730_sa-expr-news.jpgARN0_sa-lrt-stc-pubmtg-crowd-20130730_SA-Expr-NewsKyle Keahey, Project Connect's Urban Rail Lead and a consultant to San Antonio's VIA Metropolitan Transit, speaks during a VIA public meeting discussing San Antonio's modern streetcar plans this past July.2013-10-18T22:21:17+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/11/strasbourgs-tram-pedestrian-mall-how-transit-priority-and-pedestrian-friendly-are-blended-in-europe/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar4_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-cimg2885-kreuzung-homme-de-fer-20130925_franz-roski.jpgAR4_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-CIMG2885-Kreuzung-Homme-de-Fer-20130925_Franz-RoskiAnother view of the tram line crossing near Homme de Fer — trams coming, going, and crossing! Photo: Franz Roski.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar3_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-cimg2881-kreuzung-homme-de-fer-20130925_franz-roski.jpgAR3_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-CIMG2881-Kreuzung-Homme-de-Fer-20130925_Franz-RoskiMajor crossing of different tram routes near Homme de Fer. Photo: Franz Roski.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar2_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-cimg2880-tramd-trama-homme-de-fer-20130925_franz-roski.jpgAR2_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-CIMG2880-TramD-TramA-Homme-de-Fer-20130925_Franz-RoskiAn A-Line tram arrives at Homme de Fer station as a D-Line tram for the opposite direction waits at the in the opposite platform. Photo: Franz Roski.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar1_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-cimg2870a-trama-homme-de-fer-20130925_franz-roski.jpgAR1_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-CIMG2870a-TramA-Homme-de-Fer-20130925_Franz-RoskiAn A-Line tram approaches Homme de Fer (Iron Man) station as pedestrians stroll alongside the open track. Photo: Franz Roski.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/ar0_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-cimg2879a-trama-place-kleber-20130925_franz-roski.jpgAR0_sbg-lrt-tram-ped-mall-CIMG2879a-TramA-place-Kleber-20130925_Franz-RoskiAs evening approaches, a tram glides through Strasbourg's Place Kléber as pedestrians stroll along the other track. Photo: Franz Roski.2014-08-25T07:31:59+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/10/01/meetings-open-houses-workshops-and-democratic-process/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/arn0_prjcon_mbrs-logo-xx.jpgARN0_PrjCon_mbrs-logo-xx2013-10-01T11:41:50+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/09/25/back-to-art-galleries-project-connect-reneges-on-community-meetings/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn0_meeting-vs-art-gallery.jpgARN0_Meeting-vs-art-galleryCommunity meeting (left) vs. art gallery (right)2013-09-25T03:00:17+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/09/09/another-alternative-urban-rail-plan-for-guadalupe-lamar-corridor/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/cacdc_map-austin-urban-rail-2013.jpgCACDC_map-austin-urban-rail-2013CACDC's Central Corridor urban rail plan (blue), with MetroRail (red) and various bus links (grey). Map: CACDC 2013-09-23T13:18:02+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/09/22/why-metrorapid-bus-service-is-not-bus-rapid-transit/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn7_kc-bus-brt-max-trfcngst-2010-1380449_metro-jacksonville.jpgARN7_kc-bus-brt-MAX-trfcngst-2010-1380449_Metro-JacksonvilleKansas City MAX premium bus service (branded as "BRT"). Photo: Metro Jacksonville.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn7_aus-bus-brt-metrorapid-articdntn-2013_wikipedia.jpgARN7_aus-bus-brt-MetroRapid-articdntn-2013_WikipediaAustin MetroRapid bus on Guadalupe. Photo: Wikipedia.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn6_la-bus-brt-metrorapid-rte720-pasadena-trf-20100320-1100533_sopas-ej.jpgARN6_la-bus-brt-MetroRapid-Rte720-Pasadena-trf-20100320-1100533_Sopas-EJLos Angeles MetroRapid Route 720. Photo: Sopas EJ.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn5_bos-bus-brt-etb-silver-line-waterfront-tunnel_mass.jpgARN5_bos-bus-brt-etb-Silver-Line-Waterfront-tunnel_MassBoston Waterfront Silver Line. Photo: Massachusetts Government blog.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn4_brb-bus-brt-bway-2011_that-jesus-bloke.jpgARN4_brb-bus-brt-bway-2011_That-Jesus-BlokeBrisbane (Australia) busway. Photo: That Jesus Bloke.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn3_mia-bus-bway-dec1998_j-bell.jpgARN3_mia-bus-bway-dec1998_j-bellMiami-Dade County Busway. Photo: Jon Bell.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn2_mia-rrt-trn-lv-govt-ctr-stn-crowd-pax-platf-20040605_lh.jpgARN2_mia-rrt-trn-lv-govt-ctr-stn-crowd-pax-platf-20040605_lhMiami MetroRail. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn1_bal-rrt-pax-owings-mills-stn-20000506-106505_doug-grotjahn.jpgARN1_bal-rrt-pax-Owings-Mills-stn-20000506-106505_Doug-GrotjahnBaltimore Metro. Photo: Doug Grotjahn.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/arn0_aus-bus-brt-qtbrview-2013-0003_cmta-blog.jpgARN0_aus-bus-brt-qtbrview-2013-0003_CMTA-blogCapital Metro MetroRapid bus. Photo: CMTA blog.2013-09-23T01:44:30+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/09/19/how-portlands-light-rail-trains-and-buses-share-a-transit-mall/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/5_por-bus-bunching-5th-ave-mall-20100126-2096-xx_lh.jpg5_por-bus-bunching-5th-Ave-mall-20100126-2096-xx_lhPortland 5th Ave. transit mall. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/4_por-lrt-5th-st-mall-20100126-1260230-xx_dd.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPortland 5th Ave. transit mall. Photo: Dave Dobbs.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/3_por-lrt-5th-st-mall-20100126-1260215-xx_dd.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPortland 5th Ave. transit mall. Photo: Dave Dobbs.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2_por-lrt-5th-st-mall-20100126-2090-xx_lh.jpg2_por-lrt-5th-St-Mall-20100126-2090-xx_lhPortland 5th Ave. transit mall. Photo: L. Henry.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1_por-lrt-5th-st-mall-20100126-1260226-xx_dd.jpgOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPortland 5th Ave. transit mall. Photo: Dave Dobbs.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/0_por-lrt-5th-st-mall-20100126-2098-xx_lh.jpg0_por-lrt-5th-St-Mall-20100126-2098-xx_lhLRT train on Portland's 5th Ave. transit mall swings to the curbside station to pick up waiting passengers. Photo: L. Henry.2013-09-20T13:14:27+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/09/18/metrorapid-bus-service-should-be-a-precursor-to-urban-rail-not-an-obstacle/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2a-trb-lrt-conf-2009-bus-as-precursor-excerpt-conclusions-exceptx.jpg2a TRB-LRT-conf-2009-Bus-as-precursor-excerpt-Conclusions-exceptxExcerpt from Conclusion of paper.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1a-trb-lrt-conf-2009-bus-as-precursor-excerpt-austin-case-exceptx.jpg1a TRB-LRT-conf-2009-Bus-as-precursor-excerpt-Austin-case-exceptxExcerpt from section of paper.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/2b-trb-lrt-conf-2009-bus-as-precursor-excerpt-title-exceptx.jpg2b TRB-LRT-conf-2009-Bus-as-precursor-excerpt-Title-exceptxTitle and author lines from published paper.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1b-trb-lrt-conf-2009-bus-as-precursor-excerpt-cover-exceptx.jpg1b TRB-LRT-conf-2009-Bus-as-precursor-excerpt-Cover-exceptxCover of TRB conference proceedings.https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/aus-bus-brt-metrorapid-fleet-2013_cmta.jpgaus-bus-brt-MetroRapid-fleet-2013_CMTAView of part of MetroRapid fleet.2013-09-18T03:54:53+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/09/17/if-you-support-urban-rail-for-guadalupe-lamar-attend-these-community-meetings/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/procon_aus-txt-central-corridor-mtgs-2013-sep-oct_coa.jpgProCon_aus-txt-Central-Corridor-mtgs-2013-Sep-Oct_COAhttps://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/procon_aus-map-central-corridor_coa.jpgProCon_aus-map-Central-Corridor_COAMap of so-called "Central Corridor" study area.2013-09-17T17:34:18+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/04/22/advantages-of-light-rail-in-street-alignments/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/sac-lrt-12th-str-mixed-trf-15347-20010428x_eric-haas.jpgsac-lrt-12th-Str-mixed-trf-15347-20010428x_Eric-HaasSacramento's LRT shares one lane with traffic along 12th St.2013-04-22T02:24:37+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/03/29/city-of-austins-urban-rail-and-brt-plan/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/aus-lrt-brt-rpr-map-proposed-coa-intial-rail-m1_dd.jpgaus-lrt-brt-rpr-map-proposed-COA-Intial-Rail-M1_dd2013-04-20T22:09:27+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/03/29/give-priority-to-missing-link/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/aus-lry-lrt-map-missing-link-zoom_lh.jpgaus-lry-lrt-map-Missing-Link-zoom_LHMetroRail Red Line (red) skirts entire heart of central Austin, illustrated by "Missing Link" through Guadalupe-Lamar corridor. Urban rail would provide the crucial connections to core neighborhoods, UT West Campus, and Capitol Complex missed by MetroRail. Infographic Map by Light Rail Now.2013-03-31T12:32:12+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/03/29/an-alternative-urban-rail-plan/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/aus-lrt-map-proposed-alt-urban-rail-lines-stns-20121211_lh.jpgaus-lrt-map-proposed-alt-urban-rail-lines-stns-20121211_lhTAPT "loop" plan from the early summer of 2012 proposed a 14.7-mile route "looping" around the heart of the central city, including a line in the G-L corridor, plus a branch to Mueller. Map: TAPT. (Click to enlarge.)2013-03-31T12:31:17+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/03/30/limitations-of-rapidbus-and-brt/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/brb-bus-busjam4-20080909_james-saunders-1.jpgbrb-bus-busjam4-20080909_james-saunders-1Another bus "conga line" leaving downtown Brisbane, Australia to enter busway.2013-05-14T02:58:02+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/03/30/why-abandon-austins-major-corridor-and-congestion-problem/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/aus-lrt-map-coa-urban-rail-central-vs-lamar-guad-annot-20120127_lh.jpgaus-lrt-map-COA-Urban-Rail-central-vs-Lamar-Guad-annot-20120127_lhxxxxxxx2013-03-30T00:43:31+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.com/2013/03/28/welcome-to-austin-rail-now/https://austinrailnow.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/aus-lrt-sim-guadalupe-10th-str-2012-crop-rev_coa.jpgaus-lrt-sim-Guadalupe-10th-Str-2012-crop-rev_coa2013-03-29T18:18:40+00:00monthlyhttps://austinrailnow.comdaily1.02024-12-31T20:44:17+00:00