Metro Phoenix Transit/Transportation Developments - Page 340

CrestedSaguaro · #**6781** Posted **Jun 25, 2019, 9:44 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by combusean

How does Google even screw up like that? They completely renamed Moreland everywhere it shows up.

...and I'm supposed to trust a Google self-driving car?

RichTempe · #**6782** Posted **Jun 25, 2019, 10:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RonnieFoos

...and I'm supposed to trust a Google self-driving car?

If only getting the street name wrong was the sole problem with human drivers. I'd trust a Waymo car as much as I'd trust some of the crazy drivers I see on a daily basis. The technology is in its infancy, so of course it's not perfect, but has there ever been anything that's 100% error free? I imagine people made the same types of comments about cars over horses back in the day.

Obadno · #**6783** Posted **Jun 27, 2019, 8:21 PM**

Not sure if we covered this in the past, obviously we know of the pie-in-the-sky ADOT commuter rail plan.

But I dont recall a MAG specific study that proposed two commuter lines for Metro Phoenix:

https://www.azmag.gov/Portals/0/Docu...-03-132358-517

https://www.azmag.gov/Portals/0/Docu...te-10-2018.pdf

https://www.azmag.gov/Programs/Trans...-Rail-Planning

CrestedSaguaro · #**6784** Posted **Jun 27, 2019, 8:33 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno

Not sure if we covered this in the past, obviously we know of the pie-in-the-sky ADOT commuter rail plan.

But I dont recall a MAG specific study that proposed two commuter lines for Metro Phoenix:

https://www.azmag.gov/Portals/0/Docu...-03-132358-517

https://www.azmag.gov/Portals/0/Docu...te-10-2018.pdf

https://www.azmag.gov/Programs/Trans...-Rail-Planning

I have not seen this either. The trains look pretty snazzy. Would be a godsend if we could get this built. But for now, I just hope we can get past August

Obadno · #**6785** Posted **Jun 27, 2019, 9:35 PM**

And this is why letting Autonomous research test in Arizona is good.

Uber is now consulting with Honeywell to do development on communication and Radar for "air taxis". Now Aerospace is going to benefit due to our dabbling in autonomous car research. These kinds of R&D projects provide very high paying jobs and always have the potential to unlock whole new industries and businesses int he local supply chain.

https://azbigmedia.com/business/aero...-radar-system/

Obadno · #**6786** Posted **Jun 27, 2019, 10:31 PM**

Phoenix Chamber of Commerce apposes prop 105 Good news for light rial?

The Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce has come out against the two propositions being placed before voters in the Aug. 27 special election.

The chamber said it was opposed to the “Building a Better Phoenix Act” (Proposition 105) and the “Responsible Budget Act” (Proposition 106).

Prop 105 would amend the Phoenix City Charter to end all planned expansions of light rail projects, and not expend any funds for light rail extensions or other fixed rail line transit systems constructed on or after Aug. 27, 2018.

The measure would also redistribute revenue earmarked for light rail extensions to other city infrastructure projects.

“The Greater Phoenix Chamber has been a long-time supporter of investing in multimodal regional transit plans that move our city forward by connecting people to their community and to work opportunities,” said Todd Sanders, chamber president and CEO, in a statement. “The passage of Prop 105 would hinder our city’s progress and our region’s attractiveness as a thriving, modern place to work, live, and play.”

Prop 106 would amend the Phoenix City Charter to require that the city conduct an additional annual assessment of all pension liabilities and impose a cap on budget growth, requiring all funds above the budget cap be spent solely toward pension liabilities if the pension systems are not at least 90% funded.

The chamber said it supports reform of the public pension and retirement systems in ways that ensure the systems are financially and actuarially sound and will not cause unexpected and excessive costs to the government, public employees, and taxpayers.

“Prop 106 would harm the progress that Phoenix has made by making it difficult for the city to strategically invest in resources needed to support the city’s growth and economic prosperity,” said Mike Huckins, the chamber’s vice president of public affairs. “While further reforms are needed to pension and retirement systems to address long-term funding concerns, the chamber does not support Prop 106 as a solution.”

combusean · #**6787** Posted **Jun 27, 2019, 11:08 PM**

I have long dreamed about commuter rail for Phoenix but this study sucks.

1) Downtown Phoenix isn't the top office destination anymore. It would be a mistake to ignore the other corridors.

2) Downtown Phoenix is fast becoming a top entertainment and residential destination. It needs service beyond the 9 - 5 and going the other way in the morning.

The sad reality is these traditional commuter trains have low ridership and aren't often worth it. These need to be bidrectional for the most part and run on nights and weekends.

It's also dumb to talk about building this and the I-10 light rail. Phoenix should either move the money to the Estrella corridor or build the train on Thomas as the 29 bus is the busiest in the system.

Obadno · #**6788** Posted **Jun 27, 2019, 11:20 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by combusean

I have long dreamed about commuter rail for Phoenix but this study sucks.

1) Downtown Phoenix isn't the top office destination anymore. It would be a mistake to ignore the other corridors.

2) Downtown Phoenix is fast becoming a top entertainment and residential destination. It needs service beyond the 9 - 5 and going the other way in the morning.

The sad reality is these traditional commuter trains have low ridership and aren't often worth it. These need to be bidrectional for the most part and run on nights and weekends.

It's also dumb to talk about building this and the I-10 light rail. Phoenix should either move the money to the Estrella corridor or build the train on Thomas as the 29 bus is the busiest in the system.

The largest Density of Jobs is still downtown and the Central core, followed by Tempe which is serviced by this train.

the Price Corridor is too spread out for a train to work and Scottsdale air park is far to out on the fringe with no existing rail connection.

What do you expect them to do?

(also what the hell is the Estella corridor?)

CrestedSaguaro · #**6789** Posted **Jun 27, 2019, 11:24 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno

The largest Density of Jobs is still downtown and the Central core, followed by Tempe which is serviced by this train.

the Price Corridor is too spread out for a train to work and Scottsdale air park is far to out on the fringe with no existing rail connection.

What do you expect them to do?

(also what the hell is the Estella corridor?)

I think that is I-10 West past the 101...primarily along Goodyear.

combusean · #**6790** Posted **Jun 28, 2019, 11:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno

The largest Density of Jobs is still downtown and the Central core, followed by Tempe which is serviced by this train.

the Price Corridor is too spread out for a train to work and Scottsdale air park is far to out on the fringe with no existing rail connection.

What do you expect them to do?

(also what the hell is the Estella corridor?)

You didn't seem to read or you missed this key part of the study update.

"It is assumed that trains would leave from both ends of both corridors at these times, with the focus of providing service from the suburban stations to downtown Phoenix during the morning commute and from downtown Phoenix back to the suburbs during the evening commute."

That doesn't say Tempe service. And if we're including midtown, we may as well include the I-10 corridor or the airport that's not serviced by the above statement. It also doesn't say reverse commute.

I expect them to include bidirectional, allday service as part of the study rather than a highly limited, overpriced traditional commuter service.

MAPAZ · #**6791** Posted **Jul 8, 2019, 6:04 PM**

Links of interest

Phoenix voters could fundamentally change the city in August. Why is no one campaigning?
Az Central - July 8, 2019
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news...ns/1586646001/

Invest In Phx
https://investinphx.org/

CrestedSaguaro · #**6792** Posted **Jul 8, 2019, 7:29 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MAPAZ

Links of interest

Phoenix voters could fundamentally change the city in August. Why is no one campaigning?
Az Central - July 8, 2019
https://www.azcentral.com/story/news...ns/1586646001/

Invest In Phx
https://investinphx.org/

Actually, when I attended the Phoenix Fabulous 4th Fireworks last week, I took the LRT from Dunlap. There were several No to 104 supporters at the stop at Indian School and handing out pamphlets. The trains were PACKED both to and from the fireworks. I think this can be a big boost to the August vote as this will be fresh in riders minds when going to the polls in a few weeks. Even if many were only occasional riders going just going to the festival wishing to avoid traffic and parking, this should be positive for August.

Classical in Phoenix · #**6793** Posted **Jul 9, 2019, 11:09 PM**

https://twitter.com/RepGregStanton/s...268596225?s=19

$100M allocated for the South Central extension. Let's hope it doesn't get voted down.

ASU Diablo · #**6794** Posted **Jul 10, 2019, 4:45 PM**

This may be a positive development...hopefully Phoenix takes advantage of this and moves past the Complete Streets Advisory Board mess

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news...ns/1690161001/

Quote:

U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., who represents the 7th district, is joining with colleagues to introduce a street safety bill titled the "Complete Streets Act of 2019" Wednesday morning in the House and Senate.

According to Smart Growth America, complete streets are “streets for everyone.”

“They are designed and operated to enable safe access for all users, including pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and transit riders of all ages and abilities,” the organization's website said.

If passed into law, the bill would require states to provide funding for safe streets projects such as bike lanes and crosswalks. The projects would be funded with 5% of the state’s federal highway fund dollars.

“To access the funding, any eligible entities would need to adopt a Complete Streets policy, participate in technical assistance, and create a prioritized plan for Complete Streets projects in their jurisdictions,” according to a report from Smart Growth Arizona.

Among the varied goals of the Complete Streets program are for each state to provide technical assistance to local government agencies, and “to facilitate better pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit travel for users of all ages and abilities by addressing critical gaps in pedestrian, bicycle, and public transit infrastructure,” according to the bill.

CrestedSaguaro · #**6795** Posted **Jul 11, 2019, 7:39 PM**

Phoenix approves trial run for scooters. Still not sure how I feel about these. They've already scared me out of riding my bike around Tempe Town Lake

Quote:

Dockless Electric Scooters Coming To Downtown Phoenix For Trial Run

Electric scooters will soon be available in downtown Phoenix.

The City Council has approved a six-month pilot program for e-scooters, which is expected to start in mid-September. Companies taking part will be allowed up to 300 scooters each and will have to apply for city permits to take part.

However, riders will be limited to an area of downtown. At the end of the six months, the city’s Street Transportation Department will recommend to the council whether to try another pilot program, make the program permanent or let it end.

To talk more about this, The Show spoke with Michael Cano, a traffic engineer for the City of Phoenix and lead for its e-scooter program.

Source: https://kjzz.org/content/1055241/doc...enix-trial-run

exit2lef · #**6796** Posted **Jul 11, 2019, 8:00 PM**

I wonder if the scooter bubble will burst before this pilot ends. Dockless bike share went away before it could spread much beyond Tempe and Scottsdale. Now, even Grid bike share seems to be in trouble. I've heard a lot of people complaining lately that when they attempt to rent a Grid bike, they'll find the majority at any given station not working.

muertecaza · #**6797** Posted **Jul 11, 2019, 8:18 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by exit2lef

I wonder if the scooter bubble will burst before this pilot ends. Dockless bike share went away before it could spread much beyond Tempe and Scottsdale. Now, even Grid bike share seems to be in trouble. I've heard a lot of people complaining lately that when they attempt to rent a Grid bike, they'll find the majority at any given station not working.

Will definitely be interesting to see. I've been tracking Grid ridership/revenue. Since scooters arrived in Tempe, Grid ridership has plummeted, down about 50% (that's system-wide ridership, not just Tempe). System-wide revenue has decreased less, about 20%, due to monthly membership fees and ad revenue. I imagine that Phoenix allowing scooters, however, will spell the end of Grid. A good cautionary tale about cities latching on to trends early in the adoption process.

TakeFive · #**6798** Posted **Jul 12, 2019, 2:10 AM**

SMH

Quote:

Originally Posted by Classical in Phoenix

https://twitter.com/RepGregStanton/s...268596225?s=19

$100M allocated for the South Central extension. Let's hope it doesn't get voted down.

Jeez, am I the only one to notice this?

ABC15 has coverage so let's beat the drum.

South Central Phoenix light rail extension receives $100M federal grant
Jul 11, 2019 By: Tim Gallen, Phoenix Business Journal

Quote:

A controversial light rail project in Phoenix received a $100 million grant from the federal government this week — just more than a month before city voters will weigh in on whether to kill it and all future light rail development.

The Federal Transit Administration announced the funding July 9 for the South Central Phoenix light rail extension.

Note: A bit odd since the original piece was written at the PBJ but I couldn't find it... except by using the link given at ABC15.

TakeFive · #**6799** Posted **Jul 12, 2019, 2:44 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Obadno

And this is why letting Autonomous research test in Arizona is good.

Uber is now consulting with Honeywell to do development on communication and Radar for "air taxis". Now Aerospace is going to benefit due to our dabbling in autonomous car research. These kinds of R&D projects provide very high paying jobs and always have the potential to unlock whole new industries and businesses int he local supply chain.

https://azbigmedia.com/business/aero...-radar-system/

I totally agree with your views on this. It's about being business-friendly and trying to jump the shark with a new technology. And if you think about it 'hardware' has long been an AZ strength as apposed to software (although that's changing). Hardware meaning micro-processors, memory chips etc along with Aero-electronics etc.

High Speed Rail?
Not happening; no need. We have the best airport system coverage in the universe. It's possible that over time a handful of HSR-lite routes could be built but on the whole true HSR costs would be obscene.

Gov Ducey
is the nice result of the business community getting more involved at the primary level to relieve the awful mess created by social conservatives back in 2010. They proved to be a difference maker by supporting business practical, sane candidates.

Business Dem v Business Republican it's all the same to me... except for the obligatory sucking up to the grass roots crazies in either case. I had to lol at Ducey's Trumpian patriotic play with Nike. I think he got more national than local play with that. Didn't take him long to walk that back.

exit2lef · #**6800** Posted **Jul 12, 2019, 2:59 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by muertecaza

A good cautionary tale about cities latching on to trends early in the adoption process.

The funny thing is that circa 2013 a lot of people were eager for GRID to get started. There was a perception that Phoenix was behind the times as people heard about systems like CitiBike in New York and Divvy in Chicago.