Idea for Public Transportation and Smart Growth DU group

I had a discussion on another thread with a user lamenting the decline of public transportation in America since the 30's, and it lead me to think about creating a DU group for those concerned about this issue. I have a disability which prevents me from driving and so I suffer more than most from the dominance of King Car. I am posting this to see if there is enough interest in creating a group dedicated to alternatives to the car, whether it be better public transportation or "smart growth", that is designing towns and cities so that everything is within walking or cycling distance and modes of transport other than the car are given priority.

If you would be interested in such a group, please reply to this post. Thank you.

:thumbsup:

It's a huge issue, not just in big metro areas like NYC and LA, but also in smaller communities like mine where growth is outpacing our ability to build roads. The triangle is in the midst of this discussion now. Though, it's not often on the top of the agenda like it should be.

Do you think I should post this in one of the smaller forums, where it won't get swallowed up so easily?

I have some big bones to pick.

Be sure to post a query in the Energy/Environment forum :hi:

I figured that people with disabilities are disproportionately affected by America's poor public transportation. I won't fall foul of the moderators if I post one in Energy/Environment as well, will I?

I have not ever been involved in starting a group, and I have not read the "rules" regarding it, but...why not?

by the veritable flood of posts. The idea of a group or folder like this is appealing, though.

But the more people see it, the better.

As gas approaches $4 a gallon, even people without disabilities may be forced (kicking and screaming) out of their cars. Then there's that pesky global warming thing.

Shameless plug: Mother Nature, abetted by both global warming and the breathtaking incompetence of the Army "Corpse" of Engineers, has provided us with an ideal laboratory in which to incubate "smart growth": New Orleans.

:hi: I'm glad you posted about it!

Cheap real estate no domain problems since we own it. Connect urban hubs and then work on local centers. Step 2. There is also space for a high speed mega lift(250 mph) in most places in the country outside the east coast and southern west coast. Hope these ideas are of some assistance.

or address certain physical needs, this forum sounds like a good idea. Sign me up. :thumbsup:

Just hijack threads where people whine about gas prices.

A separate forum would act as a magnet for like-minded individuals. If there was such a forum, would you participate? If so, we only need three more DU donors willing to participate. Tell your friends (or, for the three without gold stars next to their names, contribute something to DU).

I'd post there occasionally.

I live in the Washington, DC metro area and although we have a decent public transportation system, its ageing badly and with the continued overdevelopment its also groaning under the strain. Smart Growth is a big buzzword around here.

Peak Oil is going to have a huge effect on how we transport ourselves and how we keep our cities alive in the face of economic decline. I support this idea 100%.

n/t

Theirs alot of people like me who needs to drive for their job. I clean pools and spa's, so I have no choice but to drive. I also live out in the country where public transportation will never happen. None of that's gonna work for me.

Just better public transportation whenever practicable.

Any suggestions for what should be in it?

Typically, they tend to be between one and four paragraphs. I suggest the following:

"The mission of the Public Transportation and Smart Growth group is to promote alternatives to America's overdependence on the private car, whether through improvements in public transportation or through smart growth, also known as walking communities, where all amenities are within walking or cycling distance of each other and modes of transport other than the private car are given priority.

We believe that transport and urban planning should be based around the heirarchy of transport modes identified in the manifesto of the Green Party of England and Wales, namely:

1.Walking and disabled access.
2.Cycling.
3.Public transport (trains, light rail/trams, buses and ferries) and rail and water-borne freight.
4.Light goods vehicles, taxis and low powered motor cycles.
5.Private motorised transport (cars & high powered motor cycles).
6.Heavy goods vehicles.
7.Aircraft.

(note: emergency vehicles are exempt from this heirarchy)."


Any suggestions for improvements/additions are welcome.