Monday, July 30, 2007
Every step counts!
We are all a part of the congestion problem!
There has been a lot of buzz around ‘congestion pricing.’ This is a policy being implemented which charges vehicles entering highly congestion areas such as downtown cores during certain times of the day. The most famous case is that in Britain. I found this article quite interesting because it gives a very local perspective on the topic. Many people believe that since they live in the city, they are not a part of the congestion problem but this is not the case. This article paints a very real picture of the daily challenges of the congestion problem. http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/city/2007/07/18/98238b54-d8e1-4e4f-813d-db1ca62dbef6.lpf |
Around and Around...
The big thing now in transportation is to find ways to relieve traffic congestion. There is talk about this everywhere and of course extensive research. I stumbled upon this one particular article from Springfield Missouri about fining commuter for passing the same location within a certain time frame more than once. This “no cruising” policy is to help relieve congestion within downtown Springfield but is not without criticism. The city claims that traffic counts conducted showed cursing to be a problem in the area. However, commuters are complaining that you could go past the same point just looking for a parking spot! I wonder if something like this no cruising policy would actually be effective. I don’t really see this being implemented in Vancouver though. The logic seems a bit flawed. Planners and engineers should be focused on keeping vehicles out of the core rather than penalizing those who are already in! http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070718/NEWS01/707180358/1007/NEWS01 |
Sunday, July 29, 2007
Williams Lake and its four-way stops
Kelowna and its highways
Kamloops Office
Random thoughts!
In June, I went on this big trip out to the other three offices my company owns. One in Kamloops, Kelowna and Williams Lake. I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to see how other cities outside of the GVRD are mapped out. I had wrote a few blog entries along the way in a journal and took an insane amount of pictures. Since I am in transportation planning, I tend to find myself in many conversations with people about roads and traffic. People have a lot to say on the topic for anyone who wants to listen and luckily I am one of those people. It took a while but I finally but all my random scribbling together in the next few entries. I hope you enjoy them...! |
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
All in a name

So what is the difference between a street and a road? According one online source, the following:
"The terms may frequently apply to exactly the same thing. However, 'road' is a general term, whereas 'street' is narrower in sense and chiefly urban in application: a street typically has buildings on either side, and is paved or metalled. "
I think there is more to it then that. To me, a street is a very commercial /industrial connotation but a road seems almost quieter and calmer. Does the labelling of these passageways have an effect on what we think of the area?
Something to think about.
You call THIS a highway?!

"What do you mean?", I asked, " surely the highways here can't be that different."
He went on to explain that during there first week here, his wife was called in for an interview in Surrey. He mapped out the route they would need to take get to the interview location but ran into a lot of trouble. On the map it showed Highway 99A as the most direct route and being an American, he thought that a highway would be the fasted way to go. However, he soon discovered that highways in Canada are not the same as they are in the States.
Highway 99A is actually called King George Highway which is more of a major road than a highway as there is a traffic light every few blocks and is usually highly congested. His wife was late for the interview thanks to this misunderstanding in reading the map.
Highways in Canada are not the massive transportation passages they are in the States. Here we are a little more loose with our "highway" labelling but we do have the best scenery!
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