Re: [Mpls] Comparing apples to bolts

[Dan McGuire]

   There are plenty of examples of cities, out of the US, where 
multi-modal transportation systems work quite well, but the comparisons 
aren't apples to apples.   The value of place is much different in most 
European cities than it is here, especially in the midwest. Natural land 
/ water barriers and historical sites define the space there in ways 
that don't compare to our spacious horizons.  In most European metros 
the "affordable housing" is in the suburbs; the inner cities are, and 
for the most part, always have been,  prime real estate for residential 
and business.  Although, as corporate towers begin to accumulate in 
their outer rings that, too, is changing.
   Before I digress too far, I  would like to suggest that the most 
practical place to try PRT would be to have it follow the 94-494-694 
loop with spurs off to the downtowns, the U of M, and stops at all the 
major employers on the loop, which would include the airport and the 
MOA.  If it is successful there, then neighborhoods could lobby to have 
spurs extended into their space.  We would spoil the least scenery with 
such an experiment.  If it fails, UPS or Fed-Ex might be able to make 
use of it.
Dan McGuire
Ericsson

Chris Johnson wrote:
Let me mention one example where multiple modes are in good use.  I 
won't claim it's perfect or that there is no congestion.  The Bonn - 
Cologne metropolitan area in Germany has sidewalks/pedestrian zones, 
extensive bicycle paths, taxis, busses, a subway, street cars (rubber 
tired, overhead electric wires, quieter and cleaner than busses), 
commuter rail, long-haul passenger and freight rail, a river (the 
Rhine), and an airport.  In my experience, it worked well.



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