On Sat, Jan 30, 2016 at 6:12 PM, William Hauda via Bikies < [email protected]> wrote:
> I guess I pushed the buttons of the anti-reality movement. Those of > us who are actually doing stuff and not just engaging in the wishful games > of bicycle utopia, which we all want to achieve, will continue to work and > deal with these issues in the real world. > As someone who actually does work with state DOTs as my day job (although sadly, not WisDOT), I can tell you that many state DOTs in both red and blue states, rural and urban, and all areas of the country, are realizing that highway expansion is not the answer to congestion. Also, congestion is not the metric that they will be using 20 years from now. All the folks that are arguing for alternatives are right. And the facts are that drivers adjust their habits to the conditions they find. Induced demand is real, as is the opposite -- people will cease driving corridors that they perceive to be unpleasant or congested. They may simply drive at less congested times, or they may chose another route or mode. WisDOT actually looked at the Southern Reliever and found that the vast majority of problems on the Beltline were from people trying to drive at peak hours to and from Madison. Building a different route for the few that not coming to and from Madison at peak hour would be a huge waste of money, and WisDOT wisely chose to not pursue that. What WOULD help the Beltline would be better connections ACROSS the Beltline. Much of the congestion is caused by people getting on for a couple of exits and then getting off. They have no other options because the lakes, wetlands, golf courses, Arb, cemeteries, and other barriers -- both natural and human-created -- give them no other route. (The classic example is trying to get from South Towne or Monona Dr to john Nolen without going on the Beltline.) A few strategically-placed crossings and better options for other modes: express buses/BRT, regional transit, ped/bike crossings, etc. would do a world of good and be significantly cheaper and more long-lasting than a new road. Also, telling people that, "The traffic in Dane County just isn't that bad, and if you chose to live far from your work and drive during peak hour, you will be stuck in traffic. But there are some alternatives to driving during peak hour. Your choice." would help the situation. Robbie Webber Transportation Policy Analyst 608-263-9984 (o) 608-225-0002 (c) [email protected] All opinions expressed are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of my employer or any other group with which I am affiliated.
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