JTA and JIA updates

[Jim]

I guess they're going for something like the John Seigenthaler pedestrian bridge in Nashville, but with a SkyWay lane? It would definitely make the game day experience better / potentially open up land for game day parking on the south bank. Then you could use more of those lots surrounding the stadium for garages, entertainment, lodging, etc.

That's 500 feet across that river (granted the approaches make it 2,150 feet) with little need for clearance.

Something here would be longer and need a 135' clearance to match the Main St bridge.

[Sonic101]

Can I just mention how much I LOATHE this whole 'Autonomous Vehicle People Mover' thing. It seems like the whole monorail idea all over again. I feel like the city is trying to act all hip and cool with some buzzword heavy technology and taking a huge risk while ignoring the tried and true rail tech. Rail might be boring but it's proven and it creates a nice foundation that I think the city needs.

[ProjectMaximus]

^I didn't loathe it before but I did think it was silly. After this presentation, I actually like it. It makes a lot of sense. Small autonomous vehicles allows for far more flexibility than traditional rail cars. You can change capacity and routes at the drop of a hat, and the individual cars linking and unlinking at speed can only happen with autonomous vehicles.

Obviously there is a con if these things are in mixed traffic too often, but I hope when the capacity is necessary they will give it dedicated lanes (as shown in the video).

[KenFSU]

Replacing fixed, mass public transit, capable of reaching speeds up to 35 mph, with a dumbed-down Uber that uses 15 mph clown cars and competes with existing traffic.

Cool.

[thelakelander]

Just watched the video for the first time. To be honest, this is the same thing/same routes that JTA proposed last year. It's just illustrated in video instead of a map or power point presentation. My guess is by the time we actually get to implementation the vehicles and technology will have changed and advanced to something else. Also, I believe a lot of this, like the extra bridge crossing, is just conceptual. As it evolves, I would hope they focus more on not mixing this thing in mixed-traffic. I know some get caught up on the idea of "flexibility" but I'd argue in this case, "flexibility" can be a negative. Give it its fully dedicated lanes, build actual barriers or landscaping to separate it from cars and fully incorporate supportive land use policies around all of its stations/stops.

[jaxnyc79]

Is JTA focused on encouraging more Transit Oriented Design?  It seems like the Vestcor project in LaVilla is the only example of it I see around town. 

[thelakelander]

It seems like the TOD focus is on linking current proposed projects. It would be good for more coordination on TOD and infill around existing stations as well. Central, Jefferson, Rosa Parks, San Marco Blvd, Riverplace and Kings Avenue should all have Miami Metromover style infill development around them, IMO. They offer immediate opportunity.  If they actually happen, full development at sites like the District and  Shipyards is decades away from materializing.

[jaxnyc79]

It seems like the TOD focus is on linking current proposed projects. It would be good for more coordination on TOD and infill around existing stations as well. Central, Jefferson, Rosa Parks, San Marco Blvd, Riverplace and Kings Avenue should all have Miami Metromover style infill development around them, IMO. They offer immediate opportunity.  If they actually happen, full development at sites like the District and  Shipyards is decades away from materializing.

Yes, JTA should launch a TOD/Infill Initiative for the city.  The Vestcor project can be a template.  Affordable housing linked (at pedestrian scale) with a transit station/covered stops, that helps to give at least some of the population mobility options besides total reliance on a car.  Having said that, I've been reading facebook posts for the stations and seeing consistent complaints about bus delays due to drivers chatting with their friends. 

[ProjectMaximus]

I know some get caught up on the idea of "flexibility" but I'd argue in this case, "flexibility" can be a negative. Give it its fully dedicated lanes, build actual barriers or landscaping to separate it from cars and fully incorporate supportive land use policies around all of its stations/stops.

To clarify, speaking for myself, when I touted flexibility of capacity and route I mean this within the context of fixed routes ideally. The flexibility refers to the ability to increase the number of linked cars at any moment, and to have empty cars switch track if there are passengers waiting at a particular station. Forget shorter headways, this would be on-demand transit without additional cost.

[thelakelander]

Yes, I understood your point about on-demand. Although not AV technology, the automated people mover in Indy offers on-demand service now. The skyway, in its current state probably could too. My reference to flexibility is the type that generally mentioned in transportation circles. For example, you'll hear BRT and ride share advocates tout flexible routing as a benefit that fixed routes don't offer. In reality, it depends on the ultimate goal of what you want the system to achieve. If integrating transportation and land use together, in a manner that builds a walkable environment, fixed routes are superior on that end.

[Jim]

I love the on-demand and scalability factors.  But the weaving in and out of vehicle traffic and the 'bridge' are not well conceived.

[ProjectMaximus]

Yes, I understood your point about on-demand. Although not AV technology, the automated people mover in Indy offers on-demand service now. The skyway, in its current state probably could too. My reference to flexibility is the type that generally mentioned in transportation circles. For example, you'll hear BRT and ride share advocates tout flexible routing as a benefit that fixed routes don't offer. In reality, it depends on the ultimate goal of what you want the system to achieve. If integrating transportation and land use together, in a manner that builds a walkable environment, fixed routes are superior on that end.

Good, I was just clarifying cause your comment came after mine and didnt want it to be confused with the usual bus rallying cry.
iirc the ones in WV and Indy are the only two that are on-demand. I've seen the Indy one travel passed me a few times.

[lastdaysoffla]

Maybe instead of worrying about robot cars, let's get JTA up to the standard of other comparable cities' bus systems.

A lot of reliability and route issue that need addressing.

[JaGoaT]

Anyone else feel like the cars are too small?

[thelakelander]

I feel like it's pretty conceptual and once things get to a point of implementation, things will dramatically be different from what they are now.