Transit Vision 2020: Is This An MJ Map? If so, who is working this?

[JayBird]

I occupy my boredom time doing strange things ... like surfing ScribbleMaps to see what people want to map. Some is quite interesting, especially when it concerns your hometown. I came across this map on there over the last weekend of quite an elaborate transit system for Jax. It seemed like an MJ creation because I notice it has a lot of the stuff that has been talked about on the forums. Then, when showing it to someone at lunch today, I noticed that now stops were being added along a trolley line. Is this an ongoing creation that someone from or associated with MJ is working on?

More importantly. a dream or someones true development plan?

I like what is done, as it is still a work in progress, if it is you and are looking for feedback ... there are plenty of people here who would chime in.


http://www.scribblemaps.com/maps/view/xKc9em1vWS/

[thelakelander]

I don't know what that is. This is the first time I've seen it.

[spuwho]

Commuter rail to Columbia, Gainesville and Fernandina is inspiring to see. Even water routes are shown.

Definitely a wish list.

[JayBird]

^my thoughts too, encouraging though that some entity is putting thought into the big picture 5-10 years from now. Though, I do question some of the routes especially downtown. Isn't it true that tracks cannot cross at right angles? Lot of freight track crossing on this map.

[Ocklawaha]

STARKE


BROOKER


LA CROSSE


BURNETS LAKE/ALACHUA


GAINESVILLE

This is the first time for me too, never seen this. Many of the MJ 'concepts' are certainly in it, enough to make me believe it is being done by a dedicated reader. There is a gap in some of the knowledge of transit or at least the existing facilities and possibilities. For example the photos above show a route that already exists from Starke to Gainesville that also catches the Alachua area. This railroad link is on the ground and in excellent (45 mph = unsignaled territory) track. The current end of track is around NE 33rd but the right-of-way extends to University Blvd and the former station.

Other suggestions contain slight deviations, the Farm Market Skyway line is sent up and around past JTA to arrive along Beaver Street rather then shooting straight up and over the rail yards the short way. There is also the extension to the 'Jackson Square' development which is apparently DOA. Streetcar is sent over railroad crossings, one would assume 'at grade' and if so you just bought yourself a huge liability expense or a long legal (and sooner or later justified) fight to relieve streetcars of a burden that buses don't share. (* a joint RAILROAD-STREETCAR maintenance expense for maintaining the crossing diamond itself would be understandable / ALSO-tracks at right angles work just fine).


Ferry anywhere except in the core and perhaps as far north as the Zoo or the Ortega River area, serving more as tourist attraction then transit is more realistic. Light rail out Beach and down Southside Blvd is reasonable, tying into or connecting with streetcar in the core would be good, everything else on the south side labeled Light-Rail should be BRT of Bronze or Silver level. Light-Rail to Orange Park would be a no brainer, keep it (as much as possible) along the CSX and tie it with BRT such as the 'excellent idea' of BRT on 103Rd Street. Town Center/UNF monorail would function just as well as a short exclusive right-of-way streetcar. The Avenues-Orange Park Mall Monorail is a non-starter. I'd like to add that I also like the Hecksher Drive bus route but BRT territory it is NOT.

Might be fun if Ennis and I did a makeover and tossed it out in an article... ideas?

[thelakelander]

^my thoughts too, encouraging though that some entity is putting thought into the big picture 5-10 years from now. Though, I do question some of the routes especially downtown. Isn't it true that tracks cannot cross at right angles? Lot of freight track crossing on this map.

I wouldn't get too excited about it. It seems like a regular person's wish list more than anything with a realistic chance of happening.

[Know Growth]

Interesting that the deep westside sprawl dream SR 23 ("Brannon Chaffee"),with all of it's Public Transit design concepts, promotions,reserved Right of Way etc. receives scant highlight.

 

[JayBird]

Actually ock, I kinda thought this was one of your doodles! Thx for the correction on right angles, I thought that results in derailment issues but I probably misunderstood. I don't think brt but a connection along heckscher that hits commuter rail, the zoo, the cruiseport, blount island employment zone, and the mayport ferry! Obviously not a JTA designer. And yes, I believe any new rail east of the river will be confined to beach blvd.

I think it would be interesting what those in the industry have to say. I tried looking for a way to contact the designer of this map, but haven't found one. There are too many similiarities between that map and discussions here so they at least read MJ. Whomever you are, take some credit, I certainly applaud the effort. This is more advanced than most of what I've seen.

As a side, I never thought of it before but a rail connection between Gainesville and downtown could be a huge boost for the Landing and Bay Street.

Also, if JTA or any credible authority were to announce half of this plan, I think the commercial real estate be back to boom years rapidly.

[JayBird]

Interesting that the deep westside sprawl dream SR 23 ("Brannon Chaffee"),with all of it's Public Transit design concepts, promotions,reserved Right of Way etc. receives scant highlight.

 

LoL .... does the trolley have SunPass?!!