+1 on more trees. Houston has a lot of trees but not along the freeways. Look at that new 59 area near Montrose. It looks badass now with all the vines and trees along the side. That's what we need along ALL The freeways.
Civilization in other cities have thought of that and made a profound logic by having 2 HOV lanes, one on each side of the freeway. Even NASA engineering would be astounded.
OK maybe I'm missing something on this whole HOV vs Diamond lane thing. I thought the whole purpose was to encourage people to carpool by giving them a separate lane -- AWAY from the rest of the traffic -- to get to and from work in. If there are no barriers, it's not really seperate at all and any bozo driving by himself can drive in it. So it just becomes another lane of traffic. Knowing Houston drivers, I would think that there would be cheaters galore driving in these lanes. How would it be enforced? (honest question)
you would certainly get some cheaters to begin with for sure. the way to stop them is to post patrol cars at various locations to bust them. like the red light cameras, once people realize they are getting caught breaking a traffic law, they'll generally stop doing it. i think the only problem with the current setup is not keeping the hov traffic separate from normal traffic, but the hassle it takes to enter and exit at certain locations.
is it really that hard to figure out? how do you not see the advantages of a citywide lightrail system?
to all those that question rails over buses. rails carry more people at once thus more efficient use of energy. also rails wouldnt get caught in traffic like buses so you would get to your destination quicker.
I agree that a light rail along 45, 59, I-10, etc... would be perfect, but there is one problem IMO. Houston is so spread out, what do you do once you get to the exit you need on the freeway? Lots of people's offices are miles from the freeway. A bus would take forever b.c of all the turns. Or if they all led to downtown, how would people get to their office if it was 20 blocks away? I guess maybe a trolley system or something, but it can't be walking...not in Houston in the summer. I love the rail idea, I just can't figure out if it would really work b/c of how spread out the destinations are going to be
I've only read the first page, so maybe someone addressed this already, but the difference is simple and huge: If I have to sit in traffic, I'd rather do it in my own car, rather than in someone else's vehicle. I can take short cuts, have control over the radio, smoke a cigarette, etc. On a dedicated rail line, ain't got no traffic to worry about. In short, I don't ride the Metro bus, but I'd ABSOLUTELY utilize rail.
I agree. We don't have one central business district like most cities well served by rail. And our destinations are much further apart, generally. Having said that...I think rail has to be in the picture for the future.
Yeah, we could get all the jort-wearing proles on one train so we could drive the freeways comfortably in our SUVs.
I get that and don't disagree, but if we're talking about replacing the HOV lane with a rail, there's already no traffic in the HOV lane, so that wouldn't be an issue. If you're talking more about side streets, which side streets would get rail and which wouldn't? That sounds like a ol' pain in the ass to figure out.
Build those McMansions in the wards, and watch those home costs throughout the city escalate! Then long after even a 300 square ft effiency apt will be $3700 a month, just like Americ'a model city San Francisco! I love U of H, and I know what you mean and its unfortunate its like that....and a number of things contribute to rising home costs. But if Sam Houston offers a better product, more power to them.
I'd never heard of that bullet train idea...that would've been neat. I'd have less billboards and strip centers. It's just so ugly. I never really noticed it until I went to other cities and noticed that not every city has a strip center at the corner of every block.
Fix roads, and in a more timely fashion. Too many effed up roads especially in the busier part of city, and the ones that are getting fixed is taking a long ass time to finish, causing more traffic because the street is closed down or narrowed.
Bring Astroworld/WaterWorld back. I don't know why they shut it down IN the 4th largest city in America. The reason baffled me. How can you have low revenues when it's in 4th largest city in America? Every Houston kid should experience AW!! Also, they HAVE to expand 290. I heard this plan is in process, though. 290 is gonna be a real pain when the construction starts. Apparently, they will put 24 lanes each on I-10 in Katy. WTH? Isn't that plan going to create even more bottlenecks towards Houston?
