Comments on: Silly, Controversial, Progressive, Then Obvious http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/07/31/silly-controversial-progressive-then-obvious/ Just another WordPress weblog Wed, 08 Sep 2010 14:09:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Jack http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/07/31/silly-controversial-progressive-then-obvious/#comment-8324 Jack Sat, 01 Aug 2009 17:40:51 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1073#comment-8324 It is easier for those who don't understand or who sincerely disagree to label the messengers as elitists. Once our mobility became auto dependent the need for an orderly flow led to plumbers (known as transportation engineers) instead of what was really needed, innovative architects who could explain various options. Should we continue to favor cars over people? To me the answer is simple and obvious, the default mode should favor pedestrians. Ultimately for those who can ride a pair of wheels, nothing else comes close in providing a more efficient, healthier, environmentally friendly, cost effective, dependable and flexible options as man's greatest invention. It is easier for those who don’t understand or who sincerely disagree to label the messengers as elitists. Once our mobility became auto dependent the need for an orderly flow led to plumbers (known as transportation engineers) instead of what was really needed, innovative architects who could explain various options.

Should we continue to favor cars over people? To me the answer is simple and obvious, the default mode should favor pedestrians. Ultimately for those who can ride a pair of wheels, nothing else comes close in providing a more efficient, healthier, environmentally friendly, cost effective, dependable and flexible options as man’s greatest invention.

]]> By: John http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/07/31/silly-controversial-progressive-then-obvious/#comment-8320 John Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:48:48 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1073#comment-8320 I'm interested to see how this gradual public acceptance goes with cellphone use in cars. I do not believe the data against (for cellphone use, not texting, which involves a different attention) is completely rigorous, but there is a groundswell against. I’m interested to see how this gradual public acceptance goes with cellphone use in cars. I do not believe the data against (for cellphone use, not texting, which involves a different attention) is completely rigorous, but there is a groundswell against.

]]> By: Russ http://www.howwedrive.com/2009/07/31/silly-controversial-progressive-then-obvious/#comment-8317 Russ Fri, 31 Jul 2009 21:16:22 +0000 http://www.howwedrive.com/?p=1073#comment-8317 It would appear that changing attitudes about our behavior toward others, as in the example in the article, is a somewhat different issue from deciding who has access to scarce resources, in this case, city streets. If we want fewer vehicles in New York City, or just in Manhattan, there are various means to that end -- randomly rationing access, vehicle and gas taxes, portal tolls, etc. All except random rationing, will favor the wealthy over the less wealthy. New York City residential locations have advantages and disadvantages for mobility, ranging from living in Manhattan to the Rockaways. There is no optimum solution but only a political one. This is apparently why the Councilmen in the far outer borough districts are against pricing approaches while those from Manhattan districts favor them. We need to seek new approaches that provides more convenience and mobility for the outer boroughs if we ever expect to alter the status quo. But a new approach will require some fresh thinking, which appears to be lacking to date. It would appear that changing attitudes about our behavior toward others, as in the example in the article, is a somewhat different issue from deciding who has access to scarce resources, in this case, city streets. If we want fewer vehicles in New York City, or just in Manhattan, there are various means to that end — randomly rationing access, vehicle and gas taxes, portal tolls, etc. All except random rationing, will favor the wealthy over the less wealthy. New York City residential locations have advantages and disadvantages for mobility, ranging from living in Manhattan to the Rockaways. There is no optimum solution but only a political one. This is apparently why the Councilmen in the far outer borough districts are against pricing approaches while those from Manhattan districts favor them. We need to seek new approaches that provides more convenience and mobility for the outer boroughs if we ever expect to alter the status quo. But a new approach will require some fresh thinking, which appears to be lacking to date.

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