January 2009 - Transpo - list.sfgreens.org

Cable/Wire Free Light Rail :)
by Eric Brooks 26 Jan '09

26 Jan '09

Check this out all. A new light rail car design that doesn't require wires. http://sf.streetsblog.org/2009/01/23/will-muni-ever-consider-catenary-free-… Will Muni Ever Consider Catenary-Free Light Rail? by Bryan Goebel <http://sf.streetsblog.org/author/bryan/> on January 23, 2009 It's hard not to get excited about the new urban rail technology announced this week <http://www.bombardier.com/en/transportation/sustainability/technology/primo…> by Bombardier. Could we /ever/ see something like this in San Francisco? Similar technology has been on Muni's radar but the future of light rail in the city doesn't seem to be too high on the MTA's priority list, at least, not right now. BT_4086_PRIMOVE_Energy_flow.jpgGraphics by Bombardier. According to Bombardier: The new and unique BOMBARDIER* PRIMOVE* system allows catenary-free operation of FLEXITY* trams over distances of varying lengths and in all surroundings as well as on underground lines -- just like any conventional system with overhead lines. What makes it outstanding is that the power transfer is contactless; the electric supply components are invisible and hidden under the vehicle and beneath the track. BT_4088_PRIMOVE_Pickup_Coils.jpg Tom Radulovich, the executive director of Livable City <http://www.livablecity.org/> who sits on the BART board of directors, said he suggested catenary-free light rail to Muni when he read about Alstom's catenary-free streetcars in Bordeaux <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ground_level_power_supply>. The city wanted a streetcar to run through the historic center, but didn't want the visual impact of the wires. I thought it could overcome some of the objections about extending streetcars along the waterfront, especially Marina Green -- imagine streetcars gliding along a re-fashioned Marina Boulevard on their way from the Presidio to China Basin with no wires! Radulovich points out fixing Muni's light rail system -- a fleet of 151 vehicles that carries 127,000 riders a day -- is not considered in the Transit Effectiveness Project <http://www.sfmta.com/cms/mtep/tepover.htm> (TEP). The way that Muni builds and operates our streetcars generally is quite backwards; we are one of the last in the world to use high-floor cars on the street. The Breda cars that Muni and MBTA bought may be the heaviest in the world, which means more noise, vibration, energy consumption, and track damage. Judson True, the MTA's media relations director, said the agency can't just decide it wants to replace vehicles. He said the "effective life" for many of the current vehicles ends in 2020. "We will replace our light rail vehicles as established by FTA <http://www.fta.dot.gov/> and MTC <http://www.mtc.ca.gov/> guidelines and when we do we'll definitely look at acquiring vehicles with the best available technology." SPUR says regional rail is suffering a midlife crisis <http://www.spur.org/documents/110708_article_01.shtml>. When will Muni come up with a plan to address its light rail crisis? -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." -- Che Guevara

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Reminder: Meeting Tonight (Monday, Jan 19)
by Eric Brooks 19 Jan '09

19 Jan '09

Joint Meeting: Transportation & Sustainability Working Groups When: Monday, 1/19/09, 6:30PM-9:00PM Where: SFGP Office, 1028A Howard St Agenda Items Transportation: - New York City proposal for free mass transit, how to apply it to SF - Leveraging Obama stimulus dollars for mass transit - Stopping likely fare increase and Muni's disrespect for riders (especially disabled riders) - MTA increasing fare inspectors instead of revenues - need to act to get big revenue boost to Muni - BART police shooting of passengers and morphing of local transit into Homeland Security police state Sustainability: - Mayor's corporate privatization of San Francisco biofuels - Board of Supervisors Clean Energy Act - 100% clean electricity in SF! - SFPUC's hiring of former PG&E employee to run Community Choice clean energy project - Keeping Community Choice on track - SFPUC staff's move to defund nonprofit/low-income Mirkarimi solar program to increase Mayor's private solar subsidies

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Google adds mass transit to maps
by Ann Garrison 16 Jan '09

16 Jan '09

http://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2009/01/ can_i_google_my_bus.php

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Transpo/Sustainability Meeting Tue, Jan 20?
by Eric Brooks 15 Jan '09

15 Jan '09

Hi all, Who's up for a joint Transportation/Sustainability meeting on Tuesday the 20th at 6:30pm? (Keep in mind the 20th is inauguration day.) cheers Eric B -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." – Che Guevara

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Network of Spiritual Progressives - Sign Gaza Ad
by Katherine Roberts 12 Jan '09

12 Jan '09

If anyone wants to sign this ad, you can just write $0.00 if you don't want to donate. Or you can donate to help get it printed. It will go into the New York Times on Wednesday. --K. http://www.spiritualprogressives.org/article.php/gaza "Let's have a moment of silence for all those Americans who are stuck in traffic on their way to the gym to ride the stationary bicycle." - Earl Blumenauer

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Fw: [Carfreeliving] 299 Valencia Appeal of CU for too much parking
by susan vaughan 11 Jan '09

11 Jan '09

Hi Everyone, I don't know that the SFGP, via the Transportation Working Group, has taken a position on this matter. In short, the developer of 299 Valencia got a Conditional Use permit from the Planning Commission to increase parking in the development from .5:1 (one parking space for every two units) to .75:1. A number of groups and individuals are appealing this to the newly seated Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, at 4 pm or later. I hope to be there supporting the appeal. See the letter for details. Sue --- On Sun, 1/11/09, Jason Henderson <jhenders(a)sbcglobal.net> wrote: From: Jason Henderson <jhenders(a)sbcglobal.net> Subject: [Carfreeliving] 299 Valencia Appeal of CU for too much parking To: Carfreeliving(a)livablecity.org Date: Sunday, January 11, 2009, 7:08 AM Friends, Happy New Year. The Appeal of the CU for parking at 299 Valencia is on for Tuesday, Jan 13th, 4pm "time certain." That means it could be at 4 or anytime after, but not before 4. Please try and attend and speak in favor of the appeal. Attached is the appeal letter from the Hayes Valley Neighborhood Association, for background and talking points. Thanks, -jh -- Jason Henderson San Francisco, CA (415)-255-8136 jhenders(a)sbcglobal.net _______________________________________________ Carfreeliving(a)livablecity.org mailing list to facilitate and promote car-free living in SF To unsubscribe: mailto:Carfreeliving-request@livablecity.org?subject=unsubscribe or, for all options, go to: http://livablecity.org/mailman/listinfo/carfreeliving_livablecity.org

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Need To Decide On Jan Meeting Day/Time
by Eric Brooks 02 Jan '09

02 Jan '09

Hi all, This is a very important month for both Transportation (Transbay/High Speed Rail/Likely Fare Hikes) - and Sustainability policy (BIG stuff on clean energy, power plants and an animal rendering biofuel plant). Since the GM day/time was changed to fourth Wednesdays we need to choose a new regular day/time so that we are ahead of the monthly County Council meeting on the third Wednesday. I propose that we meet on the third -Tuesday- each month, which would give us a January 20 meeting this month. If everyone is ok with it, lets just keep the time at 6:30pm - leading with Transportation issues. Affirmations?/Suggestions? peace Eric -- "I am not a liberator. Liberators do not exist. The people liberate themselves." – Che Guevara

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