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How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Percent

A forum for discussion of regional topics including oil depletion but also government, society, and the future.

Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sat 08 Feb 2014, 20:01:12

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'P')lant,

You are right that the US is not Europe and that our long distance train service pathetic.

None of that explains how or why HSR could work in the US.

If there was a capitalist reason for its existence, then I suppose the market would have driven it.


Newfie,

Infrastructure development isn't the job of the private sector---its the responsibility of government. The lack of HSR in the USA isn't due to a problem with "capitalism" or "the market"....its a failure of our state and federal governments. Look at our current administration----O promised to build HSR and then reneged on his promise, pushing these needed infrastructure improvements back for at least another 8 years.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'H')SR has been more generally promoted in socialist countries such as France and Spain


France and Spain aren't "socialist" countries. They are capitalist countries.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'I') get that you rode HSR and liked the experience. I can understand that.

How, exactly, do you think it will solve any of our current problems?


Isn't that obvious? I'm surprised you'd even ask that.

The title of this thread is "How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Percent" Getting Americans out of their cars and onto light rail and HSR and other forms of mass transit would help cut CO2 use.

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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Newfie » Sat 08 Feb 2014, 21:43:58

So, how exactly is HSR "mass transit"?

I suppose then you are in favor of using public domain to condem private property for the public good? On a massive scale never before seen in the US?

You also are in favor of sharp tax increases to fund these public works projects?

Let's start simple, what are the two HSR corridors you would build first, what are there rider ships, what are there budgets, what is your timeline?

In short, scope, schedule, budget?
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sat 08 Feb 2014, 21:59:32

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'S')o, how exactly is HSR "mass transit"?


Mass transit is generally defined as "public transportation," especially but not exclusively in urban areas. In the case of HSR, the idea is that instead of Americans getting into their cars to drive between, say, Philly and DC (cars are private transportation) they would take one of Philly's rickety old trolleys downtown to the slightly downmarket train station you've got there, get on a HS train, and get off in downtown DC at beautiful upmarket Union Station.

Using mass transit to travel between Philly and DC would be quicker, use less oil, and produce less CO2 then people firing up their private vehicles and all individually driving down.

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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sat 08 Feb 2014, 22:09:46

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', '
')Let's start simple, what are the two HSR corridors you would build first


DC to New York is the obvious first choice. The right-of-way already exists, it would just have to be upgraded to HSR standards. The train would stop in Philly on the way, if thats OK with you.

There are a plethora of other logical targets for HSR----Seattle to Portland, LA to SF, LA to Vegas, Dallas to Houston, Chicago to St. Louis, Miami to Orlando, etc. etc. etc.

Your other questions are all political in nature, but aren't insurmountable. For instance, if O had put a good chunk of the trillion dollars of stimulus money into HSR instead of bailing out US and Italian legacy auto makers and doing other short-sighted things in 2009, multiple HSR lines could all be nearing completion now to help the US cope with peak oil. :idea:
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Newfie » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 10:26:55

You answered nothing.

How is HSR mass transit? You have no ridership numbers.

Where is your budget or schedule?

What about condemnation of private property?

FYI, HSR requires a greater spacing between tracks once you get over about 130MPH. at also requires very gentle curves and a completely different track support system. In short, to redo the NEC you would quite literally need to shut down the existing railroad for years while the work went on. You have to dig out the entire under ballast structure and replace it with different material capable of distributing the forces.

The curves need to be straightened. That a look at the S curve at Metropark NJ. Draw a straight line through it and figure out what the one modification will cost.
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 14:12:31

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'Y')ou answered nothing.


?????

I suggest you go back and read my prior two posts. I gave direct and specific answers to several of your specific questions, and general answers to your general questions.

For instance, you asked where the first HSR lines should be built, and I gave you a lengthy and specific answer, complete with a paragraph of explanation.

You asked what mass transit is, and I gave you the Merriam Webster definition with discussion and a cartoon about mass transit, on the principle that a picture is worth a thousand words and the picture would illustrate the concept of mass transit for you if the written definition didn't make it clear.

Etc. etc.

There isn't much point in my answering you again if you won't acknowledge the answers I've already given you.

I suggest you re-read the answers I've already given you, and if you have a follow-up question or a point of your own that you'd like to make, that we go on from there.

Here's another suggestion: You said above that your work touches on these issues---why don't you share your experiences and lay out your own point of view? :)

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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Newfie » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 15:46:11

Yes. Unfortunately the kind of, uncritical, magical thinking expressed above is a primary component of our human animal works.

We have for ever been deeply involved in religion where we humans invented all kinds of gods and supernatural beings. What Plant is doing is similar if not identical, he is calling forth supernatural powers beyond his control to explain the environment, the solutions.

deus ex machina

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deus_ex_machina

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', '
')Deus ex machina (pronounced [ˈdeus eks ˈmaː.kʰi.na], /ˈdeɪ.əs ɛks ˈmɑːkiːnə/ or /ˈdiːəs ɛks ˈmækɨnə/[1]; from Latin, meaning "god from the machine"; plural: dei ex machina) is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem is suddenly and abruptly resolved by the contrived and unexpected intervention of some new event, character, ability or object. Depending on how it is done, it can be intended to move the story forward when the writer has "painted themself into a corner" and sees no other way out, to surprise the audience, to bring the tale to a happy ending, or as a comedic device.



This explains why I am so pessimistic, humanity has little ability to cope with reality.
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 15:51:39

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'm')eathead...said meathead...


Oh-oh. Peter is here, once again falling back on what he's learned from his many years of TV viewing. :roll:

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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 15:56:30

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', 'P')lant ... is calling forth supernatural powers beyond his control to explain the environment


You are having a fantasy.

Nowhere did I "call forth supernatural powers". I didn't even mention "supernatural powers"----.

The basic reasons to move to HSR include peak oil and greenhouse warming. You are welcome to believe in supernatural powers, but don't assume other people share your beliefs about supernatural powers.

Sheesh. :roll:
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 16:45:07

Peter...first you were channelling Archie Bunker and now you are channelling Butterfly McQueen, while Newfie calls on "higher supernatural powers".

AND as a result this interesting thread is diverted yet again. Hmmmm........something strange is going on.

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Duuuuuuukkkkeeee......what is the future of High Speed Rail? Will it ever reduce CO2 pollution in the NE? Tell me oh swami?????
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Newfie » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 17:18:15

Good posts Pstarr.
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 17:27:39

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', '
')We need to engage in the hard physical job of redistributing suburbia around this new electric infrastructure.


There is no need to "redistribute suburbia"---All we have to do is copy Europe....their mass transit systems are far superior to those in the US and do a great job of serving their cities and suburbs and cutting down on car trips and gasoline consumption.

It would be a lot easier and cheaper to build electric trams out to the suburbs and build electric HSR between cities then to completely "redistribute" suburbia.:)
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 20:08:57

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('pstarr', 'E')uropean cities (and the few places in America where this works such as Portland, downtown LA, etc.) looks nothing like where Americans typically live.


Portland and LA look EXACTLY like where Americans typically live. They both have small downtowns surrounded by miles of strip malls and miles of single family homes (i.e. surburbia).

LA and Portland (and other US cities) are building light rail. Salt Lake City built light rail. SF has light rail. Pittsburgh has light rail. Atlanta is talking about light rail. Chicago has light rail. Philly has light rail.

Its not a big deal---don't be afraid of it. Light rail is good.

Your suggestion that light rail will be built through the middle of homes is silly---the tram lines are being built down the middle of existing STREETS, or down freeway medians, or built as elevated lines where necessary. Then people WALK (remember "walking"---try it sometime) from their neighborhood to the tram stop. Then when they get downtown they walk to work. It is GOOD to walk---get out of your car and walk!!! you CAN do it too!

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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Newfie » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 21:30:42

This conversation is going nowhere Pstarr.

Your talking facts, Plant is talking religion.

You can't win against the true believers.

...............

I do believe there are areas where we could agree.

SOME light rail makes sense.
HVDC conversion makes sense.

Can we agree on that?

Assuming we do agree, so what? How will that change anything?

Seriously. Find the areas where we all agree, then we can put concentrated effort into that.

Or are we here solely for the purpose of picking a fight?
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 21:55:40

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', ' ')....religion...


Newfie...first you brought up "supernatural higher powers" and now you've veered over to religion. If I didn't know better I'd think you were vision-master or something.

How about we just discuss the thread topic and avoid more disgressions into spiritual matters.

T h A n K s
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Re: How The Northeast Could Cut Carbon Pollution By 75 Perce

Postby Plantagenet » Sun 09 Feb 2014, 22:02:59

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Newfie', '
')SOME light rail makes sense....Can we agree on that?


Of course. Thats what I've been saying all along.

Glad to see you agree with me.

I'd go another step and say SOME high speed rail makes sense. Can we agree on that too?

CHEERS!

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