Archive for September, 2009
The Routes
The question of where to route a high-speed train in Texas is probably the most widely discussed aspect of the subject. There have been a number of proposals, from the fairly straightforward Texas TGV to the outright asinine Trans-Texas Corridor, and the low cost “Texas T-Bone” plan. In an attempt to combine the best elements of the “Triangle” and the “T-Bone” into a single system, I’ve come up with an alternate plan.
John Norquist to Speak in Houston Tonight
If you’ve heard of New Urbanism but don’t know much about it, you should absolutely attend John Norquist’s presentation tonight. As part of Houston Tomorrow’s Distinguished Speaker series, Norquist will be giving a free speech at 7:00 at the United Way Center, 50 Waugh Dr. The good folks at Houston Tomorrow have described the event [...]
The Trains
When considering a high-speed rail system one of the most important questions is, “What kind of train should we use?” There are a number of technologies in existence around the world that a high-speed rail system could be built with, and each of them has certain advantages and certain drawbacks. First, there are conventional steel-wheel trains. [...]
Introduction
Today I’m starting a series on high-speed rail. This first post contains my opening thoughts, and some of the background assumptions that inform the rest of what I’m going to write about.
Making the most of Solar Energy
Yesterday the Chron ran this article about a new solar plant that is going to be built on the Northwest side of town. NRG is going to spend $40 million to build a 10MW solar plant, and the City will enter into a long-term contract to buy power from the plant at 19 cents per [...]
Spaghetti World Tour
Come and take a look at some of the strange intersections I’ve encountered, and share crazy ones you’ve seen too!
Crazy Flooding in Atlanta
The photo above is from my Aunt’s neighborhood, where the road into their subdivision has collapsed. She says they’ve got sink-holes and burst drains like this all over the city. Nobody in their neighborhood has been able to get to work in the last few days.
7 Classic Sidewalk Blunders
A collection of classic sidewalk blunders from Sid Burgess.
Phone call with Robert Kane, candidate for District F
Robert Kane, a candidate for City Council District F, called me last week. Now, I’m not a political whiz. I don’t intend to run extensive coverage of the local campaign (if you’re looking for such coverage, try Off the Kuff). I also am not planning to endorse any candidates, and I’m not endorsing Kane today. [...]
Hawaii is going where Houston should be
I found this article on energy issues in Hawaii very interesting. NAALEHU, Hawaii — Two miles or so from this tiny town in the southernmost corner of the United States, across ranches where cattle herds graze beneath the distant Mauna Loa volcano, the giant turbines of a new wind farm cut through the air. Sixty miles [...]