Florida Transportation Statistics

[NotNow]

Your inference that "cars cause obesity" is a stretch, without foundation.  It is your opinion only.  I see your point, and what you are trying to connect, but it is not verified and thus opinion only.   The statement that "we over-invested in auto-related infrastructure and have not provided choices that would lead to a healthier life" is arguable.  I would point to the many failed public transit projects as "choices" that were not exercised by the public.  To attempt to mandate use of public transit by artificially inflating the cost of auto travel while subsidizing public transit is a huge mistake, and violates the liberties of citizens.  Again, public transit of any type MUST make economic sense, even if a political jurisdiction solely provides the public transit service in order to enhance it's business environment (one of the few workable solutions to public trainsit in most US cities IMHO).

This is how I would envision the streetcar idea working here.  Perhaps a bond issue for a line serving Riverside/San Marco/Springfied/Downtown/Sports Complex, free to ride.  Perhaps we can join up the Skyway and get some use out of it.

[JeffreyS]

You should change that from "cars cause obesity" to "our auto-centric lifestyles contribute to sedentary behavior".

[NotNow]

maybe....of course sadly there are more registered vehicles in the U.S. than licensed drivers

Why is that "sad"?

This is why.  Axiom, here we come!



An over-reliance on cars has already created an obesity epidemic.

Is it a surpise that we lead the world in both obesity rate and automobile use?

Soooo...stuffing one's face is not a cause?  Oh, I forgot that some want to make a Federal law about that as well.  Just be sure to be at morning exercise with the Great Leader...

notnow, I would suggest that you cannot possibly be as dumb as this post suggests.

However, I would be afraid that any such suggestion would prove the same thing about myself.

Never underestimate how dumb I can be.  We are all capable of great stupidity. 

[dougskiles]

You should change that from "cars cause obesity" to "our auto-centric lifestyles contribute to sedentary behavior".

Correct.  There are many factors that have contributed to the situation.  Auto-centric development is one of them.  There is plenty of evidence to this that is easy to find.

I am not suggesting that we mandate transit use.  I would like to see us reduce the amount we spend on infrastructure that perpetuates the condition.  Give people a choice as to whether they would like to live in a neighborhood designed around walkability/reliable transit or endless mazes of cul-de-sacs and mega strip malls.

Suburbanization was an experiment that many believe has played itself out.  We fancy ourselves a nation of innovators but I am afraid when it comes to land development we have become very stale.

[Ocklawaha]

Sigh....the point is that federal light rail and HSR money MUST be targeted to projects that will work economically.  Otherwise you get....the  Skyway. 

But I am amused by the argument that we should build rail because it whips the public into shape  .

I understand your point NotNow, we can't build multimillion dollar gymnastic projects to link various parts of our communities. TRUE. The flip side is that STRICTLY AS A BYPRODUCT OF GOOD MASS TRANSIT PLANNING, communities that have gone all out and have a fully developed and connected transit system, generally enjoy a healthier lifestyle.

There are several studies on this subject, and one in Pennsylvania that actually concludes to plan for both connectivity AND health. This might be a good idea, but I wouldn't put any more stock in the 'health input' then I would any other important demographic in transit planning and implementation.

Connecting Healthy Lifestyles and Transportation

Public health issues, including obesity, can be linked in part to inactive lifestyles. Limited pedestrian and biking facilities such as sidewalks and trails have made us dependent on the automobile for access to recreation. To help lead our nation toward healthy eating and active living, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended that communities1:
Improve access to outdoor recreational facilities.

Build or enhance infrastructures to support more walking and bicycling.
Support locating schools within easy walking distance of residential areas.
Improve access to public transportation.
Support mixed-use development.
Enhance personal and traffic safety in areas where people are or could be physically active.
Participate in community coalitions or partnerships to address obesity.

The County Health Department (CCHD) and Planning Commission (CCPC) have partnered to develop a study to promote healthy lifestyles by providing transportation alternatives to the car. The two departments will work with local municipalities to promote transportation choices, and the applicability of Smart Growth principles. This study is being funded under the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Safe and Healthy Communities Program.

This study is occurring simultaneously with the development of the Central Chester County Bike and Pedestrian Plan involving the participation of seven municipalities surrounding West Chester, Downingtown and Exton.
Promoting Landscapes2 Principles.

Work will specifically address the following Landscapes2 policies:

Improve parks, trails, and recreation facilities to protect resources, provide connections, and to promote healthy lifestyles.
Use Smart Growth principles to create walkable neighborhoods with higher density and innovative sites sensitive design while maintaining a unique sense of community.

Coordinate different forms of transportation including pedestrian, bicycle, and bus within and between residential, employment, commercial, educational, public, and recreational land uses.

Require compact development with sidewalks and create trails that expand opportunities for walking and other physical activity.

Promote healthy lifestyles through a series of parks that are linked by trails and sidewalks.

Encourage bicycling and walking and enhancing bicycle and pedestrian amenities and network connectors to transit.

Partnering with Municipalities

In subsequent years, CCHD proposes to inform municipalities on the Complete Streets principles and assist them in making changes to their land use plans. After training sessions, municipality officials will understand the impact of Complete Streets principles on the health and well-being of their residents and will understand their areas of improvement in their plans
SOURCE: http://chescopagreen.org/Learn/HealthyLifestyles.cfm

Many other case studies can be found here: http://www.apha.org/advocacy/priorities/issues/transportation/casestudies.htm

As I said, we certainly can't justify spending billions on a nation full of Skyway's, but we can hope that JTA's singular stupidity in defeating a chance to be first with true light-rail, then completely fumbling with an incomplete Skyway, will remain unique. Your point of using economics should play heavily into this question but many of our leaders don't understand some of the most basic facts.

Buses fail to attract the ridership of rail
Buses fail to attract the Transit Oriented Development investment of rail
Monorail (as JTA designed and built it) is incredibly more expensive then steel wheel on steel rail
People movers are not 'Rapid Transit' systems, though I have JTA drawings that claim they are
Highway builders have as much desire to operate successful transit services as a fox does running the hen house
45/60 minute headways are NOT transit service, merely a basic accommodation.
Fixed route transit, primarily rail will stimulate billions more in new development then a few thousand dollars discount offered by a mobility plan moratorium.

TIME TO PULL YOUR HEADS OUT JACKSONVILLE!