Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Monorail flaw tied to mall plan
SEATTLE POST-INTELLIGENCER ^ | Friday, December 2, 2005 | ATHIMA CHANSANCHAI AND KATHY MULADY

Posted on 12/02/2005 4:22:35 PM PST by skeptoid

The track design that led to last week's Monorail accident was partly a result of Westlake Center developers not wanting to give up retail space in the new mall, say planners involved in the decision 20 years ago.

Saturday's accident occurred when the Monorail's only two trains sideswiped each other at the narrowest point on the tracks that wasn't designed to accommodate both at the same time -- the consequence of a design that planners said was their only option given the limitations imposed on them. The official cause of the accident was human error -- mistakes made by one of the drivers.

(Excerpt) Read more at seattlepi.nwsource.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; Culture/Society; Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: monorail; rail
The latest, longest, most detail from the P.I. with this graphic:


1 posted on 12/02/2005 4:22:35 PM PST by skeptoid
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

It was really an engineering error that should never have been allowed, But Crap runs down hill and the guy on the bottom gets hit.


2 posted on 12/02/2005 4:30:14 PM PST by sgtbono2002
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

Wasn't this a Simpsons episode?


3 posted on 12/02/2005 4:30:44 PM PST by BeHoldAPaleHorse (MORE COWBELL! MORE COWBELL! (CLANK-CLANK-CLANK))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: skeptoid

Monorail in Vegas is absolutely wonderful. Have your hotel valet park your car and just ride it. (Not a dime from taxpayers' pockets went into building it.)


4 posted on 12/02/2005 4:31:24 PM PST by NaughtiusMaximus (My exit strategy is Victory.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: sgtbono2002

Amazing. I guess engineering isnt a precise field anymore huh?


5 posted on 12/02/2005 4:37:57 PM PST by samadams2000 (Nothing fills the void of a passing hurricane better than government)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BeHoldAPaleHorse

One of their absolute best episodes, too!


6 posted on 12/02/2005 4:38:55 PM PST by newfreep
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

It was local Seattle politics, my FRiend. I'm sure the engineers pointed out how stupid it was at the time, and is laughing his ass off right now.


7 posted on 12/02/2005 4:39:55 PM PST by RinaseaofDs
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: samadams2000

Its precise enough. They knew the thing would hit but they let the almighty dollar make their decision for them. We will see what kind of lawsuits follow this then we will know if the dollar they saved was worth it.


8 posted on 12/02/2005 4:54:29 PM PST by sgtbono2002
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson