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3 Points. New Study. ROI for High Speed Rail.

The new study: Framework for Assessing the ROI for High-Speed and Intercity Rail Projects by the American Public Transportation Association

3 economic impacts considered beyond travel time & cost efficiency:

cost-benefit
economic impact
social impact analysis

What does this new analysis include?

regional connectivity
global competitiveness effects
broader consideration of the public’s desire to meet and exceed longer term environmental, economic and mobility goals for future generations

Why is this new analysis important?

Current cost benefit analysis can be subjective
“Public policy recognizes the multi-faceted nature of benefitts – including transformative and distributional effects – that occur at different spatial scales (national, regional and local), affect various subgroups of the population, and occur at different times.”

Mass Transit | New Study Provides Framework for Determining ROI in High-Speed and Intercity Passenger Rail Corridors

5 Bipartisan Texas State Reps. Interim Study Request on Toll Roads

Texas State Representatives Minajarez, Pickett, Dale, Oliverson & Goldman

are requesting the following interim charges:

Study how toll road operators, or authorities calculate toll rates in Texas, and ensure there is transparency in the process.
Study the Minajarez amendment to S.B. 312 85(R) to see if it applies to all toll roads in the state, or to just the TxDOT operated toll roads and toll lanes.
Study the possibility of the consolidation of Texas Toll Pay by Mail into a single back office provider usinfg an open source software platform that is controlled by Texas.
Study if the Reconnect Austin plan to cap IH35 through Austin takes away additional dollars from non-tolled projects in the state.
Study what precautions toll road operators in Texas have in place to prevent cyber security threats, both internal and external.

The Minajarez, Pickett, Dale, Oliverson & Goldman letter to Speaker Straus dated 10.2.2017

8 Ways to Stop Red Light Cameras from TX Sen. Huffines letter to TXDOT

Huffines points to a KXAn investigation revealing 3 of thr 50 cities using red light cameras are doing so lawfully.

How is he defining lawfully? Compliant with Transportation Code Section 707.003 requiring a traffic engineering study of red light camera ingtersections before installation.

What 8 things does he want TXDOT to do?

he wants TXDOT to confirm whether they review the Trasnportation Code 707.003 study
review all the red light cameras to see if they comply with transportation Code Section 707.003 and 707.004
give him the details of all cities operating red light cmaeras on state highways
send cease & desist letters to cities operating red light cameras on state highways
Consider this ruling, Cause No. DC- 15-00289, 134th District Court in Dallas, that found that a person was not liable for red light camera fines
decide whether non-compliant cities must refund red light camera fines
give him existing recourse that TXDOT has for non-compliant cities
take any and all enforcement actions against non-compliant cities

KXAN | Senator vowing to kill red light cameras wants answers from TxDOT

Anatomy of a Hyperloop Coalition in the Show Me State.

Missouri seeks hyperloop for long term relationship and connection between Kansas City, Columbia and St. Louis. Yes, Missouri want s ahyperloop for a threesome.

What entities are members of Missouri’s hyperloop coalition? The Missouri Hyperloop Coalition consists of the following members: Missouri Department of Transportation, St. Louis Regional Chamber, KC Tech Council, University of Missouri System, and Missouri Innovation Center in Columbia.

Was Missouri chosen as 1 of the 10 hyerloop locations in the world wide search? No.

What game plan does the Missouri hyperloop coalition have? To work for forma. partnerhsip with Hyperloop One, the company behind th ehyperloop push.

Equipment World | Mo. coalition forms to lure high-speed Hyperloop route for I-70

3 Reasons the Golden State High Speed Rail Has Cost Overrages

California’s proposed high speed rail line is exceeding its cost estimates by 27%. Here’s why:

higher land acquisition costs
cost of moving utilities underground
cost of logistics with freight rail companies

How far behind is the project? 7 years

Los Angeles Times | California bullet train costs up $1.7 billion for Central Valley segment

Gas Tax Increase TREND. How popular is it in the South?

In Mississippi a September 2017 poll conducted by Millsaps College and Mississippi-based Chism Strategies had 72% rejecting a gas tax increase.

Notes:

The polling question tied the gas tax increase to education
Othe rpolling questions indicate a gas tax increase tied to road & bridge repair, and touted as a user fee, has stronger support.

Daily Journal | Gas tax might not be unpopular for roads, bridges

Roads Dedicated to Self Driving Cars. 3 Points to Know.

By 2040, I-5 between Seattle and Vancouver is expected to be dedicated 100% to self driving cars. It’ll take 3 steps to get there:

1st, selfin driving cars will be able to share HOV lanes
2nd, dedicating 1 lane entirely to AVs (self dirving or autonomous vehicles)
3rd, convert all lanes ot autonomous driving vehicles only

GeekWire | Major stretch of I-5 will be devoted exclusively to self-driving cars by 2040, new study predicts

TREND. Banning Gas Powered Engines.

Business Trend: Volvo says by 2019 it will stop making gas combustion engine cars

Regulatory Trend: California’s chief air-pollution regulator says he’s talking to the California Governor about phasing out combustion engines sometime 10 years in the future.

Can States phase out combustion engines? States can their own air pollution standards, but they need EPA approval

International Trend:

China has called for combusion engine ban at some myster date in the future.
the UK and France set the end of the combustion engine at 2040.

Sacramento Bee | No more gas or diesel cars in California? State considers ban