Diesel Hybrid Trams Worth Considering for St. Louis

Today I read an interesting article highlighting a new hybrid tram:

Such a system is worth considering not for long distances and large capacities — that is best served by light rail. But for areas such as downtown, Cherokee Street, Broadway or South Grand this could be an interesting way to serve future transportation needs.

– Steve

Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price

Yesterday I watched the new documentary film, Wal-Mart: The High Cost of Low Price. The film is as one-sided as the critics claim. But when you are up against the world’s biggest retailer you don’t necessarily want to argue their side. The film is a must see.

A public screening of the documentary will be held Friday night at Mad Art Gallery, 8pm. The event is being sponsored by the independent business organization, BUILD St. Louis. From their press release (PDF):

“BUILD hopes the Wal-Mart documentary screening will increase local discussion about the impact of consumer dollars spent at chain stores as opposed to local, independent stores.”

This film is an important work. I felt a number of emotions as I watched: anger & sadness were the top two. BUILD St. Louis & Mad Art are requesting a $2 donation at the screening. Doors open at 7pm and the screening begins at 8pm.

– Steve

MODOT Is Brilliant Strategist.

Never thought I’d say it but MODOT is brilliant, at least when it comes to strategy. The road building agency, faced with several years of complaints from motorists frustrated by navigating I-64 road construction, made a brilliant move: threaten to close the highway altogether.

Everyone from the average motorist to Congressman Clay is speaking out about the suggestion to close the interstate. This public outcry from all corners will “force” the agency to keep the highway open. During the construction process MODOT and the media will counter any complaints about detours and delays by saying, “Just imagine how bad it would have been if we had closed the highway.”

Brilliant strategy.

– Steve

Oklahoma City About to Abandon Chance for Excellent Mass Transit System

No, this is not Urban Review Oklahoma City. But I do return to my hometown a few times a year and keep tabs on what is happening there. Besides, we can learn from looking at other city’s successes or, in this case, mistakes.

At right is the remains of a once great rail system serving central Oklahoma. Like most cities of any size, Oklahoma City had streetcars to serve urban transportation needs. Back in the day a number of municipalities dotted the countryside around OKC and these were served by the “Interurban” rail service.

Behind OKC’s Union Station are these twelve tracks. Yes, twelve. Three long platforms, like the one shown in the foreground, served six of the twelve lines. Passengers entered the Union Station and took underground tunnels beneath the tracks and then came up through stairways to get to their platform.

The platforms had long canopies protecting passengers from the sun and bad weather. It appears to have been a great system, capable of serving many passengers. These platforms and tracks will soon be gone.

… Continue Reading

World’s Second Largest Oil Field Peaks!

If any of you have doubted the upcoming reality of peak oil perhaps this will change your mind:

Kuwait was attempting to push production to 1.9 million barrels per day (bpd) but the field peaked at 1.7 million bpd. More detail in the full story.

Are we as a region, state and country going to be proactive or reactive? We should be rushing to expand our mass transit options for the region and abandoning all expansions of the roadway system such as the proposed Mississippi River Bridge.

– Steve