This is so cool (link to video). Instead of the light rail I mentioned recently for Rochester, Portland has a tram based on ski lift technology that follows freeways. The only foot print is space for a concrete pole every several hundred feet. I’d love to take one of these things to work everyday.

Thanks to WorldChanging

In the Rochester, NY area where I live there is a periodic outburst of discussion about the viability of light rail as a commuter solution. Unfortunately the proponents of this option around here tend to be lonely voices tinged with obsession that gets them branded as nuts. And when you examine the economics, it’s understandable. Or at least I was convinced of such until recently. Now I’m reconsidering.

Forget the Old Routes
Most advocates of new rail technology look to abandoned routes when laying out their plans. This is understandable if you only consider cost as they are already graded, may have bridges in place, etc. However, this makes no sense whatsoever- these routes were abandoned because they were no longer economically viable, the land has been privatized and no land owner is going to voluntarily support a railroad next to their property. This approach, though initially attractive, does not hold up to the real needs of commuters. Fortunately, there is an equally attractive alternative in the Rochester area.

Follow the Commuter Pathways
The reasons for considering a rail system will become more compelling as fuel prices jump and pressure to reduce greenhouse gases increases. However, like buses, no one will use them who doesn’t have to, unless the entire system is optimized for today’s suburban population.
First, look to the existing highways. We have an east-west corridor in rt. 490 and a north-south set of corridors (one heading NE and one heading NW) in 590 and 390. Virtually all of our commuter car traffic follows these highways and virtually all major shopping, office, manufacturing and residential development is clustered near them. They pass through the center city and existing bus transit routes cross them. These are the most viable pathways for light rail such as an electric elevated rail like an airtrain.
Adding a rail line to a freeway eliminates expensive or contentious issues like bridges, grading, noise complaints, terminal location and grade crossings. Park and Ride lots exist and could serve as primary terminal locations.

The Local and Economic Effects
No matter where you locate light rail it is going to be costly, too costly for ticket sales to offset operating costs. However there are strategic ‘profits’ to be realized. First, Rochester can take the lead as a city that isn’t waiting for federal government leadership in dealing with energy and climate change issues. Second, this sends the world a message about our community that is extremely forward-looking. The existence of an easy, technologically sophisticated commute from the suburbs to the downtown center would create a revitalizing effect for the downtown as a business and cultural destination. Conversely, rapid transit to suburban malls and office parks from downtown would remove the car imperative that restrains downtown residential development.

I have been the first to be sceptical about light rail in the past. It just seemed too unrealistic and impractical, not to mention costly. Now, with the long term pricing of fuel certain to skyrocket due to heavy demand from China and India, combined with an increase in consciousness around mitigating climate change, this idea’s time may have arrived. Looking at new routes and models should stimulate interest. Let’s at least start the discussion in earnest.

The Union of Concerned Scientists polled 1600 scientists working in the Federal Government to determine the level of suppression of information for political purposes they were experiencing. A very large number of respondents acknowledged that their work had been edited, that contacts with the media were closely monitored and, in some cases, canceled and there was a general anti-science attitude at the Executive level.

When faced with a climatic disaster the magnitude of global warming this kind of Big Brother craziness should be treated as criminal activity.

I love this kind of innovation. Greenfuels is one of several companies utilizing algae (think pond scum) as a source for biofuels like biodesiel, gas and ethanol (algae are a much better source than corn). The innovation is that the algae are ‘fed’ carbon dioxide from the output of powerplants. Two tons of algae can ’sequester’ one ton of CO2. Once they’ve taken in the CO2, the algae use photosynthesis to convert it to plant matter which can, in turn be converted to fuel.
Greenfuels and the state of NY are building a test plant in Dunkirk, NY, a small city south of Buffalo.