SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA: Transit/Transportation News

[CyberEric]

I agree, that and I really hope they ditch the cloth seats in the new trains.

It will be really sad if they close down all of those Caltrain stations.
I wish it would lead to BART taking over, which I doubt, but after reading that blog I would love to have.

[northbay]

Ferry riders on San Francisco Bay could soon be boarding sailboats
By: Will Reisman 03/11/11 4:00 AM
Examiner Staff Writer


A Napa company says catamaran-style ferries can accommodate 750 passengers and travel about 20 mph, and cut down dramatically on fuel and emissions. (Courtesy of Wind + Wing Technologies)

Cross-Bay travelers might be able to enjoy whipping through the water in state-of-the-art catamaran sailboats — and they won’t even have to sign up with an America’s Cup team to have the experience.

A private company that specializes in sailboat cruises has approached the Golden Gate Bridge transit district about replacing the agency’s diesel-ferry fleet with new wind-powered catamaran vessels, starting with a possible test run of the technology in April.

Wind + Wing Technologies, a Napa company, claims it can build catamaran sailboats able to handle the passenger load of commuting ferry systems, while also reducing carbon emissions and saving the agencies money on fuel costs. One vessel proposed by the company could accommodate up to 750 passengers and travel at 17 knots (about 20 mph), and it would cut down both fuel expenses and carbon emissions by 40 percent.

The proposed vessels would still use diesel fuel, but they would be powered primarily by a towering vertical mast — called a wing — that could rotate 360 degrees to capture the swirling Bay winds, according to Jay Gardner, one of the founders of Wind + Wing Technologies.

...

While the bridge district, which runs daily service from Larkspur and Sausalito to San Francisco, is interested in the proposal, it still has questions about the catamarans’ maneuverability and reliability, agency spokeswoman Mary Currie said.

To ease those concerns, the two sides would engage in a six-month demo project, using a scaled-down catamaran already built by the Navy. Starting in April, a 50-foot catamaran operated by Wind + Wing employees and using bridge district facilities could make daily trips with no passengers from San Francisco to Sausalito.

...

If the demo project proves successful, the bridge district would consider using the catamarans for regular ferry service from Sausalito, she said.

“This is a great opportunity to learn more about new possibilities for our ferry service and to get a better understanding about this technology,” Currie said.

If the demo works, the catamarans could be up and running for ferry service within 2½ years, Gardner said....

wreisman@sfexaminer.com


Goodbye, diesel burden?

300 to 750 Passenger capacity for proposed catamaran vessels
$300,000 to $500,000 Annual fuel savings, per vessel, assuming current costs
110 Vertical feet of wing mast
40 percent Reduction in carbon emissions from normal ferry vessels
17 knots Speed of proposed vessels
21 knots Current speed of Golden Gate Bridge transit district ferry from Sausalito to San Francisco
1,442 Average weekday ridership on Sausalito ferry

Source: Wind + Wing Technologies

source: http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/tran...#ixzz1GJjjf85Q

[ElDuderino]

Wow. That looks pretty cool.

In other news I found this article from last week on the expansion of the runways at Sonoma County Airport

Airport fix includes change to runways

By STEVE HART
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 8:27 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, March 3, 2011 at 8:27 p.m.

An airline crash that killed 47 passengers in Kentucky in 2006 will force a major change to the runways at Charles M. Schulz-Sonoma County Airport, which don't meet new federal safety standards, an airport official said Thursday.

Santa Rosa is among a half dozen commercial airports in Northern California that must make changes by 2015, said Jon Stout, manager of the county-owned airport.

Some of that runway work is already included in an $84 million proposal to expand the airport to include a new passenger terminal, new air traffic control tower, air cargo facility and dozens of other projects. That proposal is expected to go before the county Board of Supervisors later this year.

The runway fix is required because the north end of the airport's two runways terminate at the same point, which could result in a pilot choosing the wrong runway.

“It could create confusion on the ground in fog and bad weather,” Stout said.

In 2006, a Comair flight from Lexington to Atlanta crashed on takeoff after a flight officer mistakenly took a runway that was too short. The jet, a Delta Air Lines regional carrier, crashed just past the end of the runway, killing all passengers and two of its three crew members.

The National Transportation Safety Board later recommended changes in runway layouts, and the Federal Aviation Commission established new runway safety standards. Congress has now mandated the changes, Stout said.

The Santa Rosa airport must comply, by “decoupling” the common endpoint of the two runways and expanding a safety zone in the area. Both runways will be extended and the airport will buy additional land in the area, under the plan unveiled Thursday.

It's unclear how much extra the additional runway work will cost, Stout said. But most of it would be funded by the federal government, he said.

On Thursday, a small group of pilots and airport neighbors heard a county presentation on the expansion plan. During the next 20 years, the county envisions up to 18 commercial flights a day, compared to the five now operated by Horizon Air.

The new proposal updates a 1998 county airport plan that called for more expansion. The earlier plan drew fire from critics who said it would spur growth.

Consultants are finishing an environmental report that evaluates the impacts on noise, traffic, air quality and wildlife habitat, in addition to other impacts.

Environmentalists have voiced concern that airport expansion could bring frequent flights, larger aircraft and more noise.

“We really wouldn't want to be another San Jose,” said Steve Birdlebough, chairman of the Sierra Club's Sonoma group.

But the airport expansion won't happen unless airlines see demand for more flights, Stout said. The airport has approached Horizon and other regional carriers about adding new destinations, but so far there are no plans for additional flights.

Seattle-based Horizon offers daily flights from Santa Rosa to Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland and Las Vegas.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article...780/1350&tc=ix

[peanut gallery]

^^That is cool. BTW, I doubt these would ever be put in service on the Larkspur run. For that they use high-speed catamarans, which are over twice as fast as the proposed sailing ships. But for the more leisurely (and shorter) Sausalito run, this makes a lot of sense. I hope the tests are successful.

[Gordo]

Those are absurdly cool. I would imagine that tourists would eat those up (me included - as an occasional tourist to Sausalito )

[CityKid]

SPUR posted an update on BRT on Van Ness. There are a few new details, but much of the information is the same. They are about to begin soliciting comments on their EIR and preliminary engineering. The SPUR article says revenue service will begin in 2014, but the SFCTA site says 2015. My guess is 2016? Maybe we'll get the Central Subway, Van Ness BRT and Geary BRT one right after the other?

[CyberEric]

Originally Posted by Gordo

Those are absurdly cool. I would imagine that tourists would eat those up (me included - as an occasional tourist to Sausalito )

Yes, these have SF written all over them; greener, tourist friendly, attractive, maybe they could even get artists to mae designs on the sails. This seems like a great idea!

Originally Posted by CityKid

SPUR posted an update on BRT on Van Ness. There are a few new details, but much of the information is the same. They are about to begin soliciting comments on their EIR and preliminary engineering. The SPUR article says revenue service will begin in 2014, but the SFCTA site says 2015. My guess is 2016? Maybe we'll get the Central Subway, Van Ness BRT and Geary BRT one right after the other?

That would be pretty cool, but I thought they were balking at the cost of the Geary BRT?

[orulz]

A problem with using sailboats is that the travel time might vary significantly depending on the direction and speed of the wind. Sailboats cannot travel directly into the wind; they must zig zag back and forth, usually at angles in the vicinity of 45 degrees to the wind. That increases the distance that must be traveled. Next, obiously on a calm day, the sail ferries would be slower.

If the boats were fitted with diesel engines to augment the sails, so that they could be entirely under sail on days with favorable conditions, and entirely under motor on days with unfavorable conditions, and yet maintain the same schedule, THEN it would be a reliable transportation system.

Maybe that is what is proposed since they mention cutting fuel usage by 40 percent, not 100 percent.

[ElDuderino]

Originally Posted by orulz

A problem with using sailboats is that the travel time might vary significantly depending on the direction and speed of the wind. Sailboats cannot travel directly into the wind; they must zig zag back and forth, usually at angles in the vicinity of 45 degrees to the wind. That increases the distance that must be traveled. Next, obiously on a calm day, the sail ferries would be slower.

If the boats were fitted with diesel engines to augment the sails, so that they could be entirely under sail on days with favorable conditions, and entirely under motor on days with unfavorable conditions, and yet maintain the same schedule, THEN it would be a reliable transportation system.

Maybe that is what is proposed since they mention cutting fuel usage by 40 percent, not 100 percent.

The proposed boats are still fitted with diesel engines. See the article northbay posted above

[ElDuderino]

Feds OK return of freight trains in North Bay

By STEVE HART
THE PRESS DEMOCRAT

Published: Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 1:58 p.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, May 5, 2011 at 2:48 p.m.

Federal rail regulators Thursday lifted a 10-year-old embargo on freight traffic over the Northwestern Pacific Railroad in Sonoma, Napa and Marin counties, setting the stage for a return of cargo trains later this year.

The Federal Railroad Administration said the railroad south of Windsor meets U.S. safety standards following a $68 million repair project.

“FRA's decision is great news,” said Hal Wagenet, chairman of the North Coast Railroad Authority, the public agency responsible for cargo service. “It makes it possible to re-start train service from Napa to Windsor by mid-June.”

NCRA has contracted with a private operator, NWP Co., to provide the freight service. The company's president, John Williams, said Thursday his crews are training for a possible start of operations next month.

Under his plan, service would begin with three round trips a week between Windsor and a rail junction south of Napa where the NWP connects to the national rail system.

NCRA officials said the service will provide a lower-cost alternative for shippers and take trucks off Highway 101.

But there are still several hurdles to be overcome before trains roll again. NCRA needs to finalize a joint operating agreement with Sonoma-Marin Area Rail Transit, the commuter rail agency that owns the tracks south of Healdsburg.

NCRA also must adopt an environmental report on the project and a final agreement with Novato, which sued the authority in 2007.

Those issues could be settled by mid-June, said Mitch Stogner, NCRA's executive director.

But environmentalists have threatened to sue NCRA, alleging the agency hasn't considered all environmental impacts.

http://www.pressdemocrat.com/article...s-to-North-Bay

[northbay]

^ well, that's one of the many hurdles down. the sooner we can get some trucks off the 101 the better. speaking of which:

May 6th, 2011 06:00am
What’s new in 101 construction zone

by Road.Warrior

Caltrans has big plans next month for drivers going through the Rohnert Park-Cotati construction zone on Highway 101.

Spokesman Robert Haus said the exact dates aren’t pinned down but:

–At Railroad Avenue in Cotati, southbound 101 traffic will be shifted to the right onto a new overpass, while northbound will be shifted left to the current southbound lanes. That’ll allow crews to demolish and rebuild the northbound overpass.

–At Highway 116, northbound 101 traffic will be shifted to the right onto an overpass now being finished, while southbound 101 traffic will be moved left onto the current northbound lanes. That’ll allow crews to demolish and rebuild the southbound overpass.

–Work will begin on the next stretch of the 101 widening, from Pepper Road south to Petaluma Boulevard North.

–In July in Rohnert Park, northbound 101 will be shifted to the right onto a new Commerce Boulevard/Wilfred Avenue overpass and southbound 101 will be moved over to the current northbound lanes. This will allow crews to start a new southbound overpass.

–Before the Commerce/Wilfred overpass opens, Haus said, the new southbound Wilfred Avenue exit at Santa Rosa Avenue will be opened.

http://roadwarrior.blogs.pressdemocr...truction-zone/

[fieldsofdreams]

I've had a lot of complaints going through that intersection, especially the fact that the Rohnert Park/Roberts Lake overpass is not the only one under construction; just north of the Cotati Grade is another construction area, causing even more traffic congestion to an already narrow Highway 101 starting as far as Novato all the way up there in Sonoma County. Another disadvantage is the limited number of alternative routes that drivers can use to bypass all those traffic; if 101 is not a good option, then drivers use 37 and Lakeville Highway or Highway 121 to bypass the whole traffic mess, causing even more problems when heading closer to Petaluma. I think it is time to speed up all those constructions so that traffic can flow more smoothly instead of facing more back ups, especially during the rush hours (southbound AM and northbound PM).

[fflint]

Caltrain's weekend express program deemed a success

San Francisco Examiner
May 14, 2011
http://www.sfexaminer.com/local/2011...deemed-success

Caltrain's experiment with weekend express trains has proven to be a success, according to transit officials.

The weekend Baby Bullet train service started in January, Caltrain officials said. The pilot program was only supposed to last three months but the service has been extended due to its popularity.
....
Express service cuts travel time between San Francisco and San Jose from one hour and 36 minutes to 57 minutes.

Caltrain officials said that ridership went up 30 percent on the bullet trains as well as on the local weekend trains.
....
Transit officials said that Caltrain's ridership overall has increased, with the average weekday ridership up 12.7 percent over last year and average weekend ridership up 21 percent from last year.

[CyberEric]

Cool, that seems like good news.

[fieldsofdreams]

This surely is news for North Bay commuters who want relief from the overloaded Route 80 on Sundays:

Source: Golden Gate Transit

GOLDEN GATE TRANSIT TO CONSIDER OPERATING ROUTE 101 ON SUNDAYS

Item passed by the Board of Directors o*n Friday, May 13, 2011

On May 13, 2011, the Transportation Committee of the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District (GGBHTD) will be asked to approve the implementation of Sunday service on Golden Gate Transit (GGT) Route 101, effective September 11, 2011, for a 9 month trial period at a cost of $224,000.

Route 101 Launches in 2009, Expands in 2010
In June 2009, GGT launched express Route 101 as a weekday service connecting the North Bay communities along U.S. Highway 101 and the City of San Francisco. Route 101 was designed to offer customers a 30 minute time savings by making fewer stops when compared to the Route 80, the only public transit option between Santa Rosa and San Francisco, which could take up to 3 hours due to the number of stops along the route. In June 2010, Route 101 service was expanded to include operation during peak hours on Saturdays as a supplement Route 80 which was experiencing overcrowding. Route 101 weekday service operates southbound from Santa Rosa between approximately 4:30 am and 4:30 pm, and northbound from San Francisco between 6 am and 8 pm.

Route 101 Success
Route 101 service has been attractive to both individuals who depend upon public transit and individuals who have access to an automobile but choose to take transit. In particular, Route 101 service benefits riders by relieving overcrowding and affording significant travel time savings over Route 80 service. Ridership is growing, for example weekday ridership rose over 23 percent compared to a year ago.

PROPOSAL: Expand Route 101 to now Operate on Sundays
Currently, on Sundays, GGT operates one Route 80 per hour from the North Bay to San Francisco, which is experiencing overcrowding. GGT has received requests from both the public and bus operators to institute Sunday Route 101 service. If Route 101 service is added on Sundays, Sonoma County passengers will particularly benefit because service will increase from once per hour to twice per hour.

It is recommended that Route 101 Sunday service be implemented on September 11, 2011. This new service would replicate the current Saturday Route 101 service, with southbound morning and northbound afternoon trips. As was done when Saturday service Route 101 service was implemented, Sunday Route 80 trips would be unchanged but would be supplemented by this additional new service.

The estimate operating cost of providing the Sunday Route 101 service for the nine month period to be $280,000. Fare revenues are estimated to be a minimum of 20% of operating costs (or $56,000), although the actual amount of fare revenue based on experience with weekday and Saturday service could be higher. Accordingly, the $280,000 cost minus the anticipated fares of $56,000 results in an estimated net cost of $224,000.

[CyberEric]

Larkspur to SF ferry?

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/articl...9D67.DTL&tsp=1

[CyberEric]

Too bad this BART line to Marin never happened, would have been awesome.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/...id=89388&tsp=1

[CharlesCO]

That picture of a BART line underneath the Golden Gate Bridge is just stunning. That would have been so cool to see.

[northbay]

great pics. so sad it never made it to reality

[electricron]

Originally Posted by northbay

great pics. so sad it never made it to reality

It might be decades far into the future, but SMART could eventually be extended south to cross the Golden Gate into San Francisco. With all the parks on both sides of this bridge, a commuter rail operation might be better than heavy rail, aka BART. The difficult part of this scenario is where to run the commuter trains to in San Francisco?