tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10240957083504664422024-03-05T13:48:51.748-08:00New Initiatives in TransportationRJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927330693892297796noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024095708350466442.post-71858726334695561282015-05-31T15:14:00.001-07:002015-05-31T15:14:36.874-07:00Boston Globe Supports Bike Path and Rail Service on Grand Junction<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb75CkqGMDlLQKnT5-VbJf8rfWaU4W0H4l4oGAfpDIq33ICsisgeUPrIMzVlj9sb8LoFUbQeftfrRukicyXCoI8FaE78EI9t1D2IXUE-UJs1p2-cJPehnlfYU0yls7QDegygxvGkA4tn2l/s1600/CSX+Frgt+Grand+Jct-Charles+River__crop1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb75CkqGMDlLQKnT5-VbJf8rfWaU4W0H4l4oGAfpDIq33ICsisgeUPrIMzVlj9sb8LoFUbQeftfrRukicyXCoI8FaE78EI9t1D2IXUE-UJs1p2-cJPehnlfYU0yls7QDegygxvGkA4tn2l/s320/CSX+Frgt+Grand+Jct-Charles+River__crop1.jpg" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">CSX freight train crossing the Charles River into <br />
Cambridge,<span style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;"> </span>destined for the produce market <br />
in Chelsea.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
An <a href="http://www.bostonglobe.com/opinion/editorials/2015/05/30/boston-olympics-could-lead-transportation-solutions/0B5lgbcunmqJpOGhWNRrQK/story.html" target="_blank">editorial</a> in today's <i>Boston Globe</i> recommends the underutilized Grand Junction branch corridor could accommodate both a new passenger rail service and the long-proposed <a href="http://grandjunctionpath.org/" target="_blank">Grand Junction Community Path</a> for bicyclists and pedestrians. <br />
<br />
While the editorial frames this in the context of transportation improvements to support the possible 2024 Olympics in Boston, clearly this lower-cost transportation option could be implemented independently and long prior to the Olympics.<br />
<br />
The good news for transportation advocates is the strong support of both the path and rail service. Over the last 15 years, I have worked on both aspects of this proposal, so I am glad to see support for the "inclusive" vision of both the path and passenger rail.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zWB83OZI21LvndUlafZE9SUv0ligQ3sX0BZ0tfmqKppy0J40V-Grc-Pa_MwaCuWuZfwtyL1xmg4Jx3L4T1fvnk1p97K7cstU17TsBpzBGRr0dzb5BEBCWB4-ELzsSXzsIXaAFJCpKVQK/s1600/469.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8zWB83OZI21LvndUlafZE9SUv0ligQ3sX0BZ0tfmqKppy0J40V-Grc-Pa_MwaCuWuZfwtyL1xmg4Jx3L4T1fvnk1p97K7cstU17TsBpzBGRr0dzb5BEBCWB4-ELzsSXzsIXaAFJCpKVQK/s200/469.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Junction corridor is narrow as <br />
it crosses Main Street. The path will be built <br />
to the right, on City-<br />
owned land.</td></tr>
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The "inclusive" vision was somewhat in jeopardy in light of the vision of Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) put forth in recent years that any path project in the corridor not preclude a future double-tracking of the Grand Junction. Given the tight constraints of the corridor, particularly as it passes through the MIT campus, this position had the potential to splinter rail advocates and path advocates.<br />
<br />
In April 2015, I was contacted by a reporter from the <i>Globe </i>to discuss my knowledge of the corridor. Perhaps that conversation, at least in part, may have influenced their decision to support the "inclusive" vision of rail and path. This vision is supported by my own rail operations analysis over the years (for projects sponsored by the MBTA, Harvard University and MIT) that has demonstrated that passenger rail service can be provided on the existing mix of single and double track.<br />
<br />
<b><u><span style="color: #7f6000;">Current Rail Operations</span></u></b></div>
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The rail line may see about 2 to 4 trains a day, including a <a href="http://www.csx.com/" target="_blank">CSX </a>freight train to Chelsea and movements of passenger equipment by both the <a href="http://www.mbta.com/" target="_blank">MBTA </a>and <a href="http://www.amtrak.com/" target="_blank">Amtrak</a>, which both operation out of both North and South Stations. The next westerly connection between north and south side rail lines is over 50 miles away, between Worcester and Ayer.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOA7HJNhaYIhHcmFVedaK5FVwlvHYjbgPyAEC0Z0H_86OfqgP2GhzpVlnFULXxAN08fuFwbJLXRFz2j5xQDfAr6gwIkwGl7nm5VQn0PQBK4nN25mrkSY6Shj6323WBUJa94Zwcha-MpNA/s1600/MBTA%252BAmtk+equip+moves.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlOA7HJNhaYIhHcmFVedaK5FVwlvHYjbgPyAEC0Z0H_86OfqgP2GhzpVlnFULXxAN08fuFwbJLXRFz2j5xQDfAr6gwIkwGl7nm5VQn0PQBK4nN25mrkSY6Shj6323WBUJa94Zwcha-MpNA/s400/MBTA%252BAmtk+equip+moves.png" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">MBTA (left) and Amtrak (right) passenger equipment moves pass through Cambridge daily on the <br />Grand Junction rail line.</span></td></tr>
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<u><b><span style="color: #7f6000;">The Proposals</span></b></u></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVz70vVA-2D9v5nOW9cKIXC6qNTToJyRTlS1zkW4ruyKTEyXk985bXBRlepPkZGrXeifV_NfLs_nExfkQ7x1KTQyF02lXobQXrlWgs15n9r_4riPxgRCVytTY796l4WCjXG5MVcnyiP8S/s1600/GrJct-PathReport-2001cover.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVz70vVA-2D9v5nOW9cKIXC6qNTToJyRTlS1zkW4ruyKTEyXk985bXBRlepPkZGrXeifV_NfLs_nExfkQ7x1KTQyF02lXobQXrlWgs15n9r_4riPxgRCVytTY796l4WCjXG5MVcnyiP8S/s200/GrJct-PathReport-2001cover.png" width="153" /></a><i><u><span style="color: #7f6000;">The Path:</span></u></i> Back in 2001, while a member of the Cambridge Bicycle Committee, I led the effort to produce a proposal in the form of a feasibility report putting for the vision of a multi-purpose path (bicyclists, pedestrians, runners, roller-bladers, dog-walkers, etc.) following the Grand Junction corridor. As written in a <i>Cambridge Chronicle </i><a href="http://cambridge.wickedlocal.com/article/20140418/News/140416455" target="_blank">article</a>, April 18, 2014:<br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #424242; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 20px; text-align: left;">"Rachel Burckardt has a dream.</span><br />
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px !important; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
"The Cambridge resident and bicycling advocate heard of a vision for a path that would take cyclists and pedestrians from the Twin City Plaza in Somerville to the Charles River at MIT in Cambridge. The route would cut through the fastest growing region of the city, connecting thousands of residents to the economic engine of Kendall Square and adding green space in areas that have long been dominated by industrial buildings and cement parking lots.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px !important; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">
"That was 15 years ago."</blockquote>
The Grand Junction path would connect with other regional paths, including the Charles River paths and the Community Path in Somerville. This year the first section of the path will be built between Main Street and Broadway by the Cambridge Redevelopment Authority. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFwjiUmaWBIbSGppglWrFC6oGuVQr7RhrwaKMvOQFTK3D4MUszCoch4m1mFcZgSI5pPUvGd0deeVDLc3IJOUQ31Ed5OTctIVY1fgE4S1Yslyg4y1VI9VczL3JZcbif3ZAZFW8C9i0B5pAd/s400/RegionalPathMap.jpg" style="color: #0000ee; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Grand Junction path would connect with other regional paths, including the Charles River paths and the Community Path in Somerville.</td></tr>
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<br />
<i><u><span style="color: #7f6000;">Passenger Rail Proposals:</span></u></i> In recent years, MassDOT has presented two options for possible passenger rail on the Grand Junction branch. The first, dating from 2011, called for redirecting some trains on the Worcerster Line from the crowded South Station to North Station via the Grand Junction and Fitchburg Line, with a possible stop near Kendall Square in Cambridge. After considerable local opposition to this proposal, MassDOT put the proposal "on hold."<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmpiMaQemDERqJCUqUAssmJxnIwTl0rqYYhL9auZAiVq7787sQ_ni4KELn9bBmewAN9ZcETWvJWwnZ-NPrNCs1g8ynmUS7Pg5Z7galCOzPwkytUqBX4NcKIQgyhQI_D47NUJJP-X97PVa/s1600/Two+rail+proposals.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCmpiMaQemDERqJCUqUAssmJxnIwTl0rqYYhL9auZAiVq7787sQ_ni4KELn9bBmewAN9ZcETWvJWwnZ-NPrNCs1g8ynmUS7Pg5Z7galCOzPwkytUqBX4NcKIQgyhQI_D47NUJJP-X97PVa/s400/Two+rail+proposals.png" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two rail proposals: <i>Left:</i> Proposal to divert some Worcester Lines to North Station.<br />
<i>Right:</i> Proposal for rail shuttle between a new West Station in Allston to North Station. </td></tr>
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In 2014, the MassDOT website included a visionary map of possible rail system expansion, including a service between a new West Station (proposed to be built in the former Beacon Park freight yard in Allston) to North Station via the Grand Junction, with a stop near Kendall Square. <br />
<br />
This service is often described as being operated by "DMUs" (diesel multiple units), which would be short trains of self-propelled rail cars operating frequent service. The last local example of DMUs was the rail diesel cars (RDCs) used into the early 1980s on the commuter rail lines around Boston.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0il5l9hgoYgtB146Usz8Vh-jnRDwvUC1XQ66EzSP1BcTQimuptnFw6YTazlzvlZZb87rLNBy16mHxPHN2AJrHShtmVY925PHKE4lCv-8XC6Df6LM6-tf-FelII_buSZnbfUgFoZlCtP-X/s1600/EMU%252BDMU.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0il5l9hgoYgtB146Usz8Vh-jnRDwvUC1XQ66EzSP1BcTQimuptnFw6YTazlzvlZZb87rLNBy16mHxPHN2AJrHShtmVY925PHKE4lCv-8XC6Df6LM6-tf-FelII_buSZnbfUgFoZlCtP-X/s400/EMU%252BDMU.JPG" width="440" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Examples of EMUs (<i>left</i>, on MetroNorth in Connecticut) and DMUs (<i>right</i>: artist view <br />
of car being built for a west coast commuter operation).</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The advantage of this equipment would be the use of shorter trains (say 3 cars) which would require shorter platforms, which would be easier to accommodate along the Grand Junction corridor.<br />
<br />
While the proposal of "through service" where trains from Worcester would pass along the Grand Junction were locally opposed, a "local service" might have better acceptance among the abutting communities. <br />
<br />
The other issue with diesel services is air quality. To eliminate the mobile emissions source that DMUs are, one could consider the use of EMUs (electric multiple units). EMUs operating on Northeast commuter systems including MetroNorth, Long Island Railroad, NJ Transit and SEPTA. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16bzB6AhZ2_-1Mq64FQCjypm4yOSC99wMFpWWGH1bTZu5XAUKeUkh8U21LFxg7ceIVNycBc0q7BJ3-4sfvF74p_LrgYIzbEp4FQkRagOJfgb4h9-98SC9hqenwY837GiCAAqVmiWEtk8O/s1600/GJRR-DMU-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj16bzB6AhZ2_-1Mq64FQCjypm4yOSC99wMFpWWGH1bTZu5XAUKeUkh8U21LFxg7ceIVNycBc0q7BJ3-4sfvF74p_LrgYIzbEp4FQkRagOJfgb4h9-98SC9hqenwY837GiCAAqVmiWEtk8O/s320/GJRR-DMU-2.JPG" width="283" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shuttle service between West and North Stations <br />
could include three local stations: <br />
Cambridgeport, MIT/Mass. Av., and <br />
Broadway/Kendall Square.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<u><b><span style="color: #7f6000;">My Analyses</span></b></u><br />
With the concern over the possible "rail vs. path" binary that the "double-track" vision could create, I ran additional analysis of a possible DMU/ EMU type shuttle service between West and North Stations. <br />
<br />
My work for MIT providing an inde-pendent analysis of a possible Worcester Line service on the Grand Junction in-cluded consideration of where stations could be sited. We looked at both a station for a full-length commuter rail train (requiring a platform 850 feet long) and a DMU/EMU service (requiring a platform of 300 to 350 feet). Obviously, it was easier to site a shorter platform, and we found three locations, as indicated in the figure at right. (For the full-length commuter rail train, the only place the platform could be accommodated would be at Massachusetts Avenue.)<br />
<br />
My analysis indicated that a rail shuttle service between North Station and West Station via the Grand Junction Branch could be operated at headways in the range of 15 to 30 minutes without completely double-tracking the line. <br />
<br />
Therefore, there does not have to be any split among transportation advocates in regards to rail service vs. the path. Both are possible.<br />
<br />
The vision for the Grand Junction must be inclusive of both the path and a possible local rail service.<br />
<br />
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RJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927330693892297796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024095708350466442.post-56401275309313205132014-11-08T18:30:00.003-08:002014-11-08T18:36:08.182-08:00Advocates push for Grand Junction Path plan in Cambridge<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6O2Wex5G9NPWdHp52MI8nXYQ4pBpJjWtkO3G2t_DAnM34zFYck9H96rrBuIizqFKnezL72OgocUhzKtKEXGVvy4Jqa3kHpu-ZM6u8nVpr9HxR3RtpugQA3HPlloCdidMlYt2_-PEDDgB/s1600/GrandJct-article.jpg&MaxW=650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis6O2Wex5G9NPWdHp52MI8nXYQ4pBpJjWtkO3G2t_DAnM34zFYck9H96rrBuIizqFKnezL72OgocUhzKtKEXGVvy4Jqa3kHpu-ZM6u8nVpr9HxR3RtpugQA3HPlloCdidMlYt2_-PEDDgB/s1600/GrandJct-article.jpg&MaxW=650.jpg" height="266" title="" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; font-weight: bold; line-height: 16.8999996185303px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">By Erin Baldassari<br />cambridge@wickedloca.com </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 16.8999996185303px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Posted Apr. 18, 2014 @ 8:01 am </span><br />
<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.8999996185303px;" />
<span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 16.8999996185303px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">CAMBRIDGE</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 16.8999996185303px;"></span><br />
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px !important; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
"Rachel Burckardt has a dream.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px !important; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
"The Cambridge resident and bicycling advocate heard of a vision for a path that would take cyclists and pedestrians from the Twin City Plaza in Somerville to the Charles River at MIT in Cambridge. The route would cut through the fastest growing region of the city, connecting thousands of residents to the economic engine of Kendall Square and adding green space in areas that have long been dominated by industrial buildings and cement parking lots.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px !important; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
"That was 15 years ago.</blockquote>
<blockquote style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #424242; font-family: verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 10px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 10px !important; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
"At the time, Burckardt, a member of the Cambridge Bicycle Committee, took it upon herself as a civil engineer to begin drafting a "pre-feasibility" study."</blockquote>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(Quoted from article by Erin Baldassari in the <i>Cambridge Chronicle/"Wicked Local"</i>)</span><br />
<br />
Read entire <a href="http://cambridge.wickedlocal.com/article/20140418/News/140416455">article</a>.<br />
<br />
More about the <a href="http://grandjunctionpath.org/">Friends of the Grand Junction Path</a>.RJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927330693892297796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024095708350466442.post-57582398186876275392010-01-29T14:10:00.000-08:002010-01-29T15:25:33.787-08:00A Boston Connection for the Knowledge Corridor<div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G5ox9RJtzeRflYeyMMkNILiDGR454PjS4yMYCca9E8qwutu84oMyxToA2FJ5MZjTW3q_RZL20VnlWyO2RJnz0zuGWUd51iC4CW5m5Bo0eF9DjcmefWLY-JCkLh1jyO-vJmbcfTa3LViJ/s1600-h/NE-IntercityPassgrRailMap--cropped.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 222px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432296387530461602" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4G5ox9RJtzeRflYeyMMkNILiDGR454PjS4yMYCca9E8qwutu84oMyxToA2FJ5MZjTW3q_RZL20VnlWyO2RJnz0zuGWUd51iC4CW5m5Bo0eF9DjcmefWLY-JCkLh1jyO-vJmbcfTa3LViJ/s320/NE-IntercityPassgrRailMap--cropped.JPG" /></a>Today the Federal Government announced an "award of $70 million for final design and construction of the “Knowledge Corridor” along the Connecticut River rail line in western Massachusetts," as reported in the Commonwealth Conversations <a href="http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/">Transportation blog. </a><a href="http://transportation.blog.state.ma.us/blog/2010/01/fed-stimulus-high-speed-rail-grant-knowledge-corridor.html"></a>(The "Knowledge Corridor" is highlighted in yellow at the right.) The blog goes on to note: "The competitive grant award is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail program."<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW3ieqQp0sSVr5oowrSwBBmRbXj0NmH2DBGmcK7m021LrL21ljnDblwwLpHAynsROefTYdhXV20rWxN1ZI-ir4pa16rGlzRWUlwimcs5Tx74yuRgtVPKDFHDdxvOunxArpdGgOuieEdws/s1600-h/Amtk-VermonterRouteMap.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 110px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432297978674208178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSW3ieqQp0sSVr5oowrSwBBmRbXj0NmH2DBGmcK7m021LrL21ljnDblwwLpHAynsROefTYdhXV20rWxN1ZI-ir4pa16rGlzRWUlwimcs5Tx74yuRgtVPKDFHDdxvOunxArpdGgOuieEdws/s200/Amtk-VermonterRouteMap.gif" /></a><br /><div align="justify">The "<a href="http://www.massdot.state.ma.us/recovery/resources/downloads/MA_Knowledge_Corridor_Connecticut_River.pdf">Knowledge Corridor</a>" refers to the Sprinfield-Northampton-Greenfield corridor which is Connecticut River line of the former Boston and Maine Railroad, now known as <a href="http://www.guilfordrail.com/">Pam Am Railways</a>. Conditions on the line deteriorated to the point that the only passenger train, Amtrak's <a href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245667150/1237405732511">Vermonter</a>, was rerouted by Palmer onto the <a href="http://www.railamerica.com/RailServices/NECR.aspx">New England Central Railroad</a>. The reroute added a stop at Amherst, replacing the original stop at Northampton. (See Amtrak's map at left.)</div><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><div align="justify">The current Amtrak service is a single round-trip between St. Albans, VT and Washington, DC. While the Vermonter route crosses the Boston-to-Albany route of Amtrak's <a href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer/AM_Route_C/1241245664423/1237405732511">Lake Shore Limited </a>at Springfield, the schedules are not set for convient service between Boston and the "Knowledge Corridor."</div><br /><div align="justify"></div>Restoration of passenger service to Northampton and Greenfield is a significant step in creating a true Massachusetts regional passenger rail system. With the accompanying grants to Connecticut and Vermont, this will improve the current Vermont-Springfield-New Haven corridor. It will restore passenger rail service to Northampton and Greenfield.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMfGg8uFmwH_Z2jkY25QrrON9IH9TBXsypLwqdahuMZTR6jwbUMrKYNNbrmxTE0WytH99MWacB-yapMrLuh91nfFrqXOHE6kaqTtgQs7e0-yWCtmmbydGs6kP-jflu5ETyjn0AADpGL1v/s1600-h/KnowledgeCorridor-Boston-Conn.JPG"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 320px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 226px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432306612968093490" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifMfGg8uFmwH_Z2jkY25QrrON9IH9TBXsypLwqdahuMZTR6jwbUMrKYNNbrmxTE0WytH99MWacB-yapMrLuh91nfFrqXOHE6kaqTtgQs7e0-yWCtmmbydGs6kP-jflu5ETyjn0AADpGL1v/s320/KnowledgeCorridor-Boston-Conn.JPG" /></a>However, I believe that once these improvements are in place, a study should look into ridership for Knowledge Corridor service routed through to Boston. Namely, this would be Greenfield - Northampton - Holyoke - Springfield - Palmer - Worcester - Boston true trains. When I discuss this folks I know in Northampton, they see a real potential for such service to be used.<br /><br />In conjunction with this idea and in the spirit of a single statewide transportation agency, my vision is seeing the MBTA "commuter" rail system become a statewide "Massachusetts Regional Passenger Rail" system, connecting together all of our state.<br /><br /><div align="justify"></div></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNN-H6MrTVcwy36cVTBgmuOSEe6FuXSzW_gy1BmyaMtvBDb-pNKBRrk_Ny0J4QeNE8CaSD8CzwR4d704cHn-Wdw_EzR0dePkKCUGgCgv5lg1TC1IHBdAdFHRZ97eL68sw4yLa_uH5muqc5/s1600-h/NE-IntercityPassgrRailMap.JPG"></a></div>RJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927330693892297796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024095708350466442.post-24264370376578007892009-04-24T17:37:00.000-07:002009-04-29T21:08:36.020-07:00A Bike Path for the Boston Urban Ring (Part 1)<div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#996633;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#996633;"></div></span></strong><strong><span style="color:#996633;"><div align="justify"></div><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#996633;"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 0px 10px 10px; WIDTH: 234px; FLOAT: right; HEIGHT: 320px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328423747931186274" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcwANibd5a-L78WgGf7funAqkVXqTp3YRMaua_EfcxfKWOwSADoRMROIPTkLJmDl3trnvUlCFItsJdNUfW5bUsFDxNfwU1ibjFGdB1VSlEEJuvloyK2DGf-pjuxPVt-ZiXQ3bUHCNKFGI/s320/UrbanRingCorridor_Map_2007.jpg" /></div><div align="justify"></span></strong>Background on the Urban Ring. </div><div align="justify"><br /></span></strong>Boston's <a href="http://www.theurbanring.com/studybasics.asp">Urban Ring</a> is a proposal for adding circumferntial transit services just outside the central urban core. It is intended to provide direct connections and transfers for destinations in a fast-growing corridor located roughly one to two miles outside the downtown Boston core.<br /><br />The current stage of planning and environmental review for the Urban Ring is Phase 2. This phase would add a series of bus rapid transit (BRT) routes through the Urban Ring corridor, along with expanded bus routes in the corridor and new transfer connections where the Urban Ring crosses commuter rail lines. The BRT services would connect to all of the MBTA's radial rapid transit lines and commuter rail lines, as well as major bus hubs.<br /><br />It is estimated that Phase 2 start-up would be about 5 years from now (about 2014).<br /><br /><strong><span style="color:#996633;">Proposal: Bike Path Following the Urban Ring</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify">Using existing paths and completing some "missing links" it is possible to create a series of bike paths connecting all the major nodes of the Urban Ring. </div><br /><div align="justify">In this post, I will focus on the path in the southwestern quadrant of the Urban Ring. See the map below.</div><div align="justify"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A4u-Sxjb_onsIAQcfc0vcf7QQMV3UHM6aJrHnckoFFXrBqqf0InRgrP9rZtKLEZyBbtZsvD-QY3tOUw_JwVrbB7jju5cPymxsVFarrhl4bCJNjTUn2C9O67v1HcHhzAJau64lkkdKgko/s1600-h/UrbanRing-BikePath1.jpg"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 449px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328425717046728978" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_A4u-Sxjb_onsIAQcfc0vcf7QQMV3UHM6aJrHnckoFFXrBqqf0InRgrP9rZtKLEZyBbtZsvD-QY3tOUw_JwVrbB7jju5cPymxsVFarrhl4bCJNjTUn2C9O67v1HcHhzAJau64lkkdKgko/s400/UrbanRing-BikePath1.jpg" /></a> </div><br /><br /></li><br /><br /><ul></ul><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"></div><br /><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#996633;">Why a Urban Ring Bike Path?</span></strong></div><br /><div align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#996633;"></span></strong></div><div align="justify">Many of the trips within the Urban Ring corridor are relatively short and suitable for biking, if a direct and convenient facility were present. </div><br /><div align="justify">In the southwestern quadrant of the Urban Ring (Harvard to BU, MIT to BU and BU/Kenmore to LMA), there are a number of existing paths that can be used for a starting point. This leaves a number of relative short "missing links" to fill in, some of which are already in the planning stages.</div><br /><div align="justify">With relatively small segments to complete, this becomes a very "doable" proposal.</div><br /><div align="justify">Other supporting arguments include:<br /></div><ul><li><div align="justify">The Urban Ring will connect a number of colleges and their associated research facilities and hospitals. College students, as a group, are more likely to travel by bike. </div></li><br /><li><div align="justify">With all these universities, facilities and hospitals, should not the administrations, faculties, staffs and students "lead by example" and demonstrate how you can get where you're going and get exercise at the same time by biking!</div></li></ul><p align="justify"><strong><span style="color:#993300;">What Need To Be Done</span></strong></p><p align="justify"><span style="color:#000000;">The following table summarizes the existing and proposed segments, as shown in the map above.</span></p><p align="justify">Most of the route uses two existing multi-use paths:</p><ul><li><div align="justify">Paul Dudley White Path (Harvard Sq. to Blandford St.)</div></li><li><div align="justify">Park path along the Muddy River from Park Drive south</div></li></ul><p align="justify">Two missing links are needed to connect these existing paths:</p><ul><li><div align="justify">Blandford Street: possible upgrading with bike lanes or a cycle track; also need an accessible ramp to replace the stairs from Blandford Street up to Beacon Street</div></li><li><div align="justify">Parcel 7 Path: this has already been proposed. It would connect Beacon Street near Yawkey Station to Fenway Station (Riverside Line at Park Dr.) and then connect to the existing park path just south of the Park Department's Back Bay Yard.</div></li><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGK2iZIrMG0ljWoSsYU8hb_IeaQ5PU4_nYEk7luTCqznkXBfeTuWQmxzfp98-dPR-OwPRIoujNkvMKtnpyx-tbGp4v-VrcQnxGpcucmxC0aVzYFmXM6_jvFmdC1_QDlMSJ-Jnlq6Tri7M/s1600-h/Urban+RingBikeway--segments.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 420px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 481px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330326274067933698" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZGK2iZIrMG0ljWoSsYU8hb_IeaQ5PU4_nYEk7luTCqznkXBfeTuWQmxzfp98-dPR-OwPRIoujNkvMKtnpyx-tbGp4v-VrcQnxGpcucmxC0aVzYFmXM6_jvFmdC1_QDlMSJ-Jnlq6Tri7M/s400/Urban+RingBikeway--segments.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /></ul><p><em>Post to be completed at a later date.......</em><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkJny_9ETSdSNBuh0347NQaa5wAQbiB8gRbSU8_05b1JMMtINtkf7UaP1YuoQvlmZd8wegLXerab5eh6XtoZxXYfS1wc8GapOjdVBLy0Pn_gBQ3hFZMIXRbTbQfOxjW_JgW2t7k1senmA/s1600-h/BlogPostUnderConstruction.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 276px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328470625941067554" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkJny_9ETSdSNBuh0347NQaa5wAQbiB8gRbSU8_05b1JMMtINtkf7UaP1YuoQvlmZd8wegLXerab5eh6XtoZxXYfS1wc8GapOjdVBLy0Pn_gBQ3hFZMIXRbTbQfOxjW_JgW2t7k1senmA/s400/BlogPostUnderConstruction.jpg" /></a> </p>RJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927330693892297796noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1024095708350466442.post-28016659271155323072009-04-24T13:51:00.000-07:002009-04-24T14:27:27.398-07:00New Initiatives in Transportation<div align="justify">This blog will contain practical proposals for improving transportation, focusing on the more "sustainable" modes: walking, bicycling, public transit, and other rail transporation. </div><div align="justify"> </div><div align="justify"> </div>RJBhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10927330693892297796noreply@blogger.com0