What do you guys think? It seems to me that outside of a few major cities in this U.S. public transportation is only something the poor do. Long wait times, bad service, not full coverage, etc. I think we should be rapidly expanding light rail out into the suburbs and more rural areas, especially with the stimulus money. That would make it much more easier for people to go into the cities and stimulate the economic recovery.
Opinion: Besides rail, we need smart transportation technology
California's high-speed rail project is likely to be one of the winners when the Obama administration indicates where it wants to spend $8 billion in federal stimulus funds dedicated to mass transit later this year.
Our state deserves to receive federal funds because California began working on its high-speed rail project more than a decade ago, long before other states, and is further along in meeting the federal requirements for environmental studies and funding sources. However, while this project is an important step in reducing pollution and congestion, it should be viewed as the first step in solving California's transportation headaches.
Earlier this month, the administration asked California and nine other regional projects to provide environmental and financial information by July 10. Federal funds will be awarded in mid-September.
On June 12, the Metropolitan Transportation Commission provided specifics on how it would spend the $1.6 billion in federal stimulus funds it's asking in track upgrades and train station renovations, including work on Diridon Station in downtown San Jose.
Now imagine if California built a comprehensive system that shared information about traffic on the freeways with flight operations at the airports, the number of passengers on bus and rail systems and every other form of transportation in the state.
Existing technology can combine data collected from various forms of transportation,
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Smart transportation policy
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