From
about 1990 - 96 , I was part of a six person start-up company that
proposed setting up five train routes extending from Northern California
into Southern California. Some of the design sketches for a
sophisticated and needed Sun Train door-to-door rail system appear
below.
Solar stations would supply power
for hybrid door-to-door shuttles as well as serve as charging stations
for the second generation of self-propelled rail cars that would be
driven with rechargeable fuel cells.
Sun Train running gently upon the land
through the Eel River Canyon.
Rail links to Reno and Lake Tahoe would
return traveling for many to an enjoyable, community sharing, energy
conserving experience.
In the mid-80's North Bay Transportation Management
Association (NBTMA) was the first Northern California TMA to
receive Caltrans funding.
Encouraging businesses to increase carpooling
and ridesharing was what the government bureaucrats wanted TMAs to
do.. NBTMA supported, encouraged and worked to increase such
beneficial efforts and went 'nuts' on stretching the box on related
small transit innovations. (See "Go
Nuts" .
However, when asked to move from a board
position to directing the organization, I focused the organization's
efforts on increasing regional awareness that smarter land use was the
only way to address what was looming as a transportation crisis.
Of course, the government bureaucrats found my position
that "smarter land use and educating the public now to its
need..." a difficult answer to accept when they wanted to believe
ride sharing was the answer. Even after much
Caltrans report writing from this funding recipient's end and a very
successful Regional Land Use Conference in Petaluma, the bureaucrats and
politicians still didn't want to see and tackle the politics behind the future
self-induced gloomy traffic picture.
Being
right on another issue doesn't make the car radio sound any better when
one is stuck in wasteful. herky-jerky movements on today's gridlocked
Highway 101.
Horay, for the narrow minded NIMBYs who so often can parade
as self-proclaimed environmentalists. They sure know how to
increase auto sales and have Americans consume foreign produced
oil.
Marin is not an island. When the North Bay develops a land
use policy that reinstitutes rail service, it can then begin linking the
rest of the Bay Area and state.
Suntrain Golden Gate
These view far surpass those of gridlocked gas guzzlers.
Santa Cruz
Emerald Bay
Cotati Station
Suntrain schematic
Tam Valley Map
Needs PDF converter
Tam Valley Plan
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