tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2221866819619926910.post3121013466122929792..comments2023-06-23T01:51:40.679-07:00Comments on Trains Are Awesome: Introducing Measure R - Traffic Relief for L.A.Garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03764923416400647049noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2221866819619926910.post-61634441876788316382008-10-01T12:40:00.000-07:002008-10-01T12:40:00.000-07:00About the Green Line, it really should have been d...About the Green Line, it really should have been done in the first place. It's almost there, but not quite. Even if it's just some kind of people moving system to bridge the gap I think something should be done to connect it. <BR/><BR/>I also talked with people at LAX before about offering bicycle lockers for bike commuters, which is easier to do and less expensive than making room for more cars, but as of yet I don't think anything has been done about it.<BR/><BR/>Every person I talked to on LAX's customer service line thought it was a great idea that I wanted bike rather then drive in the traffic muck, but none could tell me if they had any bike parking. I finally got a message after contacting the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition and they got a contact for me. I was told they were planning to have bike parking but that did not offer any at the time. So I just used by best locks and attached to a pole near a security checkpoint with cameras all around kind of tucked away in the middle of terminal lots.<BR/><BR/>I'll follow up on that and see if they really are or if it was just talk, which is more likely the case. <BR/><BR/>About the Harbor sub-division I'll take a look at that and send in some suggestions before the cut off.Garyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03764923416400647049noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2221866819619926910.post-1166664540226341962008-09-25T17:07:00.000-07:002008-09-25T17:07:00.000-07:00I did not realize this when I posted my earlier co...I did not realize this when I posted my earlier comment, but Metro formally kicked off a <A HREF="http://www.metro.net/projects_studies/harbor_subdivision/default.htm" REL="nofollow">planning process for the harbor subdivision</A> a few weeks ago. It held several early scoping meetings this week, you have until Oct 22 to submit your written comments.<BR/><BR/>One of the many options that will be studied is commuter rail service between the international terminal at LAX and LA Union Station. Air passengers with bags would probably prefer not having to transfer to a people mover at Century/Aviation.<BR/><BR/>Note that this is not part of measure R (2008) - which I support - but rather a new project that may be put before voters at a future date.Rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05471957286484454765noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2221866819619926910.post-27951173256118131292008-09-25T04:24:00.000-07:002008-09-25T04:24:00.000-07:00Extending the green light rail line to LAX makes l...Extending the green light rail line to LAX makes little sense to me unless it is also extended to the Metrolink and planned HSR station in Norwalk at the other end.<BR/><BR/>Even then, LAX will still need a direct <A HREF="http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=107511680599374219842.00044c1aaaeedf4b0e6ee&z=12" REL="nofollow">heavy rail link</A> with Union Station, especially if prop 1A is approved. BNSF's old harbor line along the LA river, Slauson, Florence and Aviation is still active but only as a backup in the unlikely event of a derailment in the Alameda corridor.<BR/><BR/>The idea would be to use this line to run a passenger shuttle train in each direction roughly every half hour. If passengers had the option of checking their bags at Union Station and also picking them up there, bi-level cars could be used to increase capacity.<BR/><BR/>A single new station near the middle of the single-track route where trains would need to be built to allow trains to pass one another. An intermodal on Slauson Ave. with Metro's blue line or else the harbor transitway would be preferable. It might also be a good location for a neighborhood redevelopment project, e.g. a cluster of gated airport hotels. South LA sure could use the jobs.<BR/><BR/>In terms of the tracks, the biggest challenge would be tunneling as far as the international terminal at LAX - anything less would not be worthwhile IMHO. The rolling stock should be <A HREF="http://www.coloradorailcar.com/double-deck-dmu-home.htm" REL="nofollow">FRA-compliant DMU equipment</A> with diesel engines that comply with the latest <A HREF="http://www.epa.gov/OMS/regs/nonroad/420f08004.htm" REL="nofollow">federal</A> and <A HREF="http://www.arb.ca.gov/msprog/offroad/loco/loco.htm" REL="nofollow">state</A> emissions standards. Overhead electrification could be considered at a later date.<BR/><BR/>Fortunately, most of the line already exists, though the section north of Century Blvd would likely have to be brought into a state of good repair. Also, level crossings would have to be converted to the four-quadrant type to enable quiet zone operations, addressing environmental justice concerns.<BR/><BR/>Note that plans for <A HREF="http://www.sonomamarintrain.org/" REL="nofollow">SMART</A> up in Marin & Sonoma counties also call for quiet zones.Rafaelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05471957286484454765noreply@blogger.com