Emphasis patrol at railroad crossings nab dozens

You'd think that after all of the car vs. train deaths we experienced in Idaho this past year that more people would pay attention to the warning signals at railroad crossings. Nope. That is not the case. A recent emphasis patrol conducted in Spokane nabbed dozens of offenders. Check out the Spokeman Review story and video here. I like the end of the video where the semi truck pulling two tankers of gasoline jams on it to beat the train. Apparently, he could lose his commercial drivers license for that misjudgement.

'Rare Find' or SRTC Door Stopper?

Since all of our transportation problems basically come down to a lack of funding, I think I've found yet another solution to our problems. I found an ad on Ebay for this book called 'Metropolitan Transportation Problems' by Wilfred Owen from 1968. The ad states that it is a 'Rare find!' Well, here in the SRTC offices, we have shelves and shelves of 'rare finds' like this. The starting bid on this one is $9.99, so if we got at least $10 for every old study we have sitting around this place, we could finish the NSC tomorrow!

Here's the whole ad if you're interested in bidding or just want to know how planners proposed to solve transportation problems back in 1968.

Roundup for Week of Mar. 31

From unsecured loads to highway lane restrictions, there's a lot going on in our area this week as far as transportation. Here's the roundup from the Spokesman-Review's 'Getting There' column for the week of March 31.

Regional Bike Plan Available for Review & Comment

A draft of the Spokane Regional Bike Plan, developed by SRTC, is available for public review and comment. The Plan defines the goals of the region and high priority bike projects as identified by the public, and includes identifying ways to make the area more bicycle friendly.

You can read the document here then submit comments by clicking here. Comments must be submitted by April 29.

WSP Trooper Goes Undercover To Catch Crossing Violators

It always amazes me that people are in such a hurry that they would risk their lives by driving around the swing arms at railroad crossings. But apparently a lot of people do, as a sting operation yesterday left dozens of drivers with tickets. Check out how a WSP trooper went undercover to catch these people, then read about SRTC's proposed Bridging the Valley project that would help eliminate incidences like this. Do you think the Bridging the Valley project will help to keep trains and automobiles apart?

Ask STA Your Questions Regarding Transit

This is your chance if you have any questions about transit in Spokane. Tonight, City Cable 5 is airing a live call in segment titled 'Spokane Transit Authority: Then and Now.' Everything from Lightrail to Bus Rapid Transit is sure to be mentioned. A news release from the City of Spokane is below, with the number to call included. At SRTC, we hear a lot of comments and questions regarding STA, so take advantage of this opportunity.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2008

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COUNCIL MEMBER FRENCH TO HOST “COUNCIL CONNECTION”
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The next edition of “Council Connection,” the cable television program featuring Spokane City Council members as hosts, will be shown live on Thursday, March 27, at 7p.m. on CityCable 5. Council Member Al French will host the hour-long program, which is titled “Spokane Transit Authority: Then and Now.”

Joining Council Member French will be guests: E. Susan Meyer, CEO of STA; Rich Munson, Mayor of the City of Spokane Valley; and Dick Denenny, Spokane Valley City Council Member.

Council Member French will accept calls from viewers during the program; the phone number to reach the show is 625-6337.

The program is shown live on the taping date and is then repeated for about a month until the next program is produced. CityCable 5 is the City of Spokane’s government-access cable station; it’s found on channel 5 on the Comcast cable system in Spokane.

It's Not Over, Folks

From the Spokesman-Review, Mar. 27:

Washington has extended the deadline for removal of studded snow tires to midnight on Saturday, April 5, due to snowy conditions on mountain passes. The normal removal date is Monday, March 31 at midnight. Idaho drivers should note that even though the deadline is later in that state, Idaho vehicles entering Washington will be ticketed if they still are using studded tires after April 5.

Newfangled Gas Gauge

I hear they're going to start putting these newfangled gas gauges in new cars. I drive an SUV though, so if mine had one it would have to go up to about $75.

They're Podiatrists, What Do They Know?

Our buddies over at the Metro(Spokane)blog have an interesting story on how the American Podiatric Medical Association rates Spokane as far as walkability. Here's our ranking.

SRTC is currently partnering with the Spokane Regional Health District to develop a Regional Pedestrian Plan. What would you like to see in it that would improve our rating on lists like this?

The tolling road map for Washington?

This 6-part Crosscut series is a little bit dated, as it refers to the upcoming RTID vote, which failed in the Puget Sound in November. But, I wanted to post it here because it is a very well done piece of journalism that explains the big picture on the future of transportation funding -- not only in Washington State, but nationwide.

I have done some fairly extensive research on transportation funding over the past couple of years. I have looked at local funding all the way up to the national funding options and this story is the closest thing I have seen in the mainstream media that explains where our nation is headed.

In fact, it correctly points out that our federal government is offering grants to five major metropolitan areas to create pilot projects using "congestion pricing." Those cities are New York, San Fransico, Minneapolis, Seattle, and I think the other one was somewhere in the southwest or in Florida (I can't recall, but I will update this when I find it).

The congestion pricing theory is based on the premise, that in many cases, we do not have a capacity shortage when it comes to transportation infrastructure. The real issue is how we manage our existing capacity. The question that always gets posed here is: "How often are you snarreled in traffic at 1 a.m. in the morning?"

The answer, of course, is "never."

So, if you can incentivize the use of the infrastructure during the "non-peak hours" by significantly reducing the cost of tolls, more people will wait to travel during those times. Those people may be delivery trucks, and other non-time dependent travelers.

Of couse, this type of tolling would also require a more sophisticated public transit system that commuters could opt to use in order to avoid the higher tolls that will be imposed during peak working hours.

This will definitely be controversial in the coming years as Congress wrestles with how to re-authorize the Trasportation Equity Act, and what to recommend as a way to fund future transportation needs.

Which would you favor more than the other: A congestion pricing program based in tolling? or a more comsumption-based tax like the gas tax?

Gas hits $5.40 in California town

The gas station owner in this story has a pretty good thing going. But the tourist passing through this tiny California town don't seem to think so. At $5.40 per gallon, some are saying that his gas may be the highest priced gas in the nation -- and, get this, he occassionaly sells out.

For now, we can take some solice in the fact that our prices are not even close. To keep track of the average price, check out the AAA fuel gage report.

Just Because It's Monday

As far as pop culture goes, this is a little behind the times. But the bloggers here at SRTC (at least this blogger) want you to know about a new device that makes our streets safer to drive on.

This Blogger Is Relieved...

Is it or isn't it? The latest word from STA is that the STA Plaza most likely won't be moving to the Intermodal Center. Read why and tell us, do you think the Plaza should move? And if so, why?

Transportation Roundup For Week of Mar. 24

A senator visits Spokane to learn about 'Smart buses,' trees must be removed to accomodate the relocation of utility wires, and downtown drivers may deal with closed roads due to a movie shoot. There's a little of everything going on as far as transportation this week in the area. Here's the roundup for the week of Mar. 24 from the Spokesman-Review's 'Getting There' column.

How long until this becomes a workforce mobility issue?

This is an intersting piece on how small business contractors and others in Seattle are coping with the rising cost of fuel. They are actually turning down jobs.

The question I have is: How long will it take for the general laborer in our region to start turning down work because it is too expensive to travel? Do you have any thoughts on that?

Rep. John Dingell wants to raise gas tax by 50 cents

Rep. John Dingell, D-Mich, has proposed legislation that would raise the national gas tax by 50 cents a gallon. The congressman says the substantial increase would deter people from driving as much as they do, which would reduce pollution. Still, some policy analysts say that even if Americans quit driving, the effects on the environment would be negligible.

According to a report by Fox News, the automobile is the nation's biggest polluter; Americans use more gas than the next 20 countries combined.

Some environmentalists and economists say pain at the pump may be bad for Americans, but good medicine for a sick planet.

But others say it wouldn't change much. Even if Americans abandoned their cars, global emissions would fall by less than one percent.

"A tax on gas is a way to reduce dependence on import oil, reduce traffic congestion and reduce carbon emissions," said Lester Brown, president of the Earth Policy Institute.

The Earth Policy Institute proposes raising the gas tax 30 cents per gallon each year over a decade and offset with a reduction of income taxes, Brown said.

David Ridenour, vice president of the National Center for Public Policy Research, said the proposal wouldn't help long term. Read the full story here

According to the story, less than half of the respodents to a recent poll oppose any increase in the gas tax and almost 30 percent would pay an additional 50 cents. How much would it take to incentivize you to start using alternative forms of transportation?

Early Congestion Warning

Officials are predicting that two big events scheduled for the same night in Spokane could make for traffic gridlock. Read how the annual Lilac Parade and a Shock game could cause some major inconvenience, and give us your opinion; should the Shock game have been cancelled? And I know there are permitting and coordination process in place, so how does something like this happen? Just an oversight??

Tour de Spokane Anyone?

Our buddies over at the blog '(metro)spokane' seem to think area bicyclists need an event all their own. Read their ideas and let us know if you would support a Tour de Spokane or Ciclovia Spokane.

Senate Bill 6900 is still alive for some -- even after the session has ended

Ok, we blogged about this when we first started this blog. In fact, it was our fourth post. The bill was dead then and it is still dead, but some people just can't seem to let things go.

Check out the post-session resurection of Senate Bill 6900 here at Eye on Olympia.

Time To Take Out A Second Mortgage...

Unfortunately for my piggybank, I had to make a trip to the gas station today.