[Sarajevo]

High speed trains would be nice, except (Doubting Thomas mode on)

 

1. Somewhere along the line, we would be saddled with the same TSA feces we currently see at airports (Ver are your paperz, Ver are you goink? Vat vill you be doing zer? )(We thank you for your decision to ride TSA Railways, you have been selected for the Super Secret Strip Search).

 

2. Unlike European cities, US cities are not designed for foot traffic, and public transportation sux. Let us not even discuss the cost of renting a vehicle at the destination.

 

3. Who wants to use public transportation?

 

4. What's up with the Spanish companies? Why not ask the Germans? And thinking of Germans and European Railways, the German system is heavily subsidized to make it affordable (i.e. more taxes).

 

5. Does anyone really want to embark/debark in the section of town where a railway station is located? I wouldn't, unless Iwere packing, but then, see #1.

 

(Doubting Thomas mode off)

 

and a question for all: AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO LIKES I-35 AS IT IS????? 

I have been from San Antonio to the DFW area, and never hit a major traffic jam. I never drove on the route at rush hour. 

[Spktyr]

You’re the only one who likes I-35. I drive it a few times a year and it’s always a huge PITA unless you’re driving it at oh-dark-thirty.

[neb52]

“2. Unlike European cities, US cities are not designed for foot traffic, and public transportation sux. Let us not even discuss the cost of renting a vehicle at the destination.”

You have the same problem that many in Texas have and that is you want things to stay the same. But with the every increasing population that Texas will continue to see, then we can’t keep on with urban sprawl and cobbling things together. Eventually will have to condense. People can’t stay happy living on the fringes and spending 1-2 hours a day five days a week going and coming from work. Arlington were I was born and raised is about out of land to develop. You know whats going to happen? The city will start condensing with more townhomes and high rise condos and offices. Otherwise the city will reach a max population of 430,000 and become stagnant. Traffic would be more horrendous then now and property value would drop.

I much prefer the European way of the primary residence being a home just big enough to eat and sleep in with just enough outdoor space for a small garden. Then go on many weekends retreats or purchase 5-10 acres in the country for the weekends.

If you want Texas cities to be more pedestrian friendly then get rid the ridiculous zoning ordinances and replace them with ones that make sense. Ex. Industrial businesses don’t need zoning. They will naturally congregate around each other and railways, highways and truck terminals. Same for factories and banking/financial. Just do a blanket zoning for those types of businesses in the parts of the city you want them and then let them do their thing. Then allow proper mixing of consumption commercial and residencial, not this 200-400 housing additions and 400-500 concrete paradise of apartment complexes, and you now have a good model for efficient mass transit.