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April 21, 2007
How to fix Houston traffic
Both surprisingly and refreshingly, the L.A. Times runs this insightful piece on several experts' proposals to address various Los Angeles area traffic problems. The experts are a level-headed bunch, including Joel Kotkin, James E. Moore, Donald Shoup and Ted Bakalar. Inasmuch as the Houston region shares many of traffic characteristics with the L.A. area, several of the suggestions are equally applicable to local traffic. My favorite is by Kotkin:
What Los Angeles needs is a transit system that better reflects what it is — a sprawling mid-density city. So build the world's easiest-to-use bus system. This network should expand such transit innovations as the MTA's Metro Rapid buses, which run in dedicated lanes, and Rapid Express buses, which make few stops. These systems are far less expensive to build than light rail or a "subway to the sea."
Posted by Tom at April 21, 2007 12:01 PM
Comments
I've thought a lot about rail, buses, etc, since Houston joined that fray and I've come to the conclusion that Houstonians would rather complain (and loudly) about traffic than do anything serious about it because the only answers lie with mass transit and no one seriously considers giving up their personal transportation. No one likes the sprawl and the concrete and the pollution, yet we all just keep buying cars and moving to suburbs further outside the city. Not sure how to fixt that.
Posted by: Jeff ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://blog.kir.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 21, 2007 10:00 AM
I may have missed noticing you at the Houston Property Rights Luncheon yesterday where Randal O'Toole spoke about the failed "Smart Growth" central planning which includes wasteful urban rail in Portland, OR.
Posted by: Royko at April 21, 2007 8:06 PM
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