Some of the cars go 80mph already. I don't see a problem with going underground in Houston because it's been done in many places with high water tables, soil issues, earthquake issues, etc. If it's above ground there would be more grade separation then there is now with the HOV's, in my opinion. What I see as a problem is money. It will be terribly expensive. It can be built, with a good plan. Will the people take the long view and pony up? That's the biggest issue, in my mind.
i understand the cars go 80 mph...i doubt metro will place a commuter rail system in the middle of a freeway and have it do 80...i just doubt it... as for underground...i can only tell you what i've heard...that it's impossible to run it underground...and people learned after tropical storm allison that putting power supplies and lines underground isn't the wisest move in a tropical climate with clay soil. what we are likely to see is surface rail...i'd rather see monorail...yes, i know it's more expensive...much more expensive...but it's elevated, clean and sleek. i'm not against mass transit alternatives in houston...but i think the approach has been, let's just slap rail down and that will solve it...i don't think it's that easy...don't think you're gonna get people out of their cars unless you give them a real reason to. and in a community as spread out as we are with the weather that we have, it provides some real challenges.
I see your point Max...here is what I can tell you. When I was in law school if there were a train I could have boarded at Willowbrook Station and get downtown in 20 minutes, wait 10 to 15 minutes for another train...and then to UH in 5...I would have taken that 45 minute commute as opposed to the 60 to 90 minute commute I had. Park and Ride wasn't an option because the bus still had to navigate through traffic. Rail does not (typically). I am a firm believer in rail...but they have to CAREFULLY plan the rail. I'm afraid they're not planning it carefully enough.
i'm with you...i would have done the same thing...i would have with metro park and ride, too. having said that, i'm not sure you'll ever get that kind of system, where you make transfers from rail to rail...buses will have to be implemented, because you simply can't rail over every major corridor in town...way too cost prohibitive. the other problem is...i would do the above, if not for the cost. no way you were gonna live without a car, refman...no way you'd give up your car entirely. you still want your car for the weekends...you still want your car for the weeknight evenings... that means you still gotta make payments and you still gotta pay insurance. and then you're paying around $6/day for transportation to Metro. ummmmm..that's not very cost effective when gasoline is $1.25/gallon.
