ADCS Posted October 28, 2015 Share Posted October 28, 2015 Was just thinking that it might be useful to have a thread where seemingly "crazy" ideas can be discussed. For example, this thought occurred to me - why don't they outright replace Mykawa Rd with a commuter rail line into Houston? It's currently underused, and there are several substantial benefits to this route: 1. Provides for a rail link between Downtown, Pearland and Hobby Airport (using a rail or shuttle link from that station)2. Provides a high-speed connection between UH/TSU and Downtown/Pearland/Hobby. This could be particularly useful in attracting out-of-state students to these universities3. Minimizes new infrastructure for cross streets, as it has already been built for the adjacent rail line4. Minimizes the amount of cross-usage needed with the freight lines. Your thoughts? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Could be discussed in the Charette? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Real life charette on a train Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADCS Posted October 29, 2015 Author Share Posted October 29, 2015 (edited) Could be discussed in the Charette? Mods, please move there if appropriate. I started this one because the charrette isn't in the Trains forum, and has been dormant for some time. Edited October 29, 2015 by ADCS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 Mods, please move there if appropriate. I started this one because the charrette isn't in the Trains forum, and has been dormant for some time.Breathe some fresh air into it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted October 29, 2015 Share Posted October 29, 2015 crazy idea for a train? build a monorail.give it an AI.call it Blaine.let the AI go insane.???profit? 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greens! Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 What is the difference in CRT and HRT on your map? Looks like a nice start of network Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADCS Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share Posted November 19, 2015 I like the idea, except I would move the crosstown line from the politically-infeasible Richmond corridor and move it up to Westheimer. Heck, if the engineering requires it, I wouldn't be opposed to converting Lower Westheimer into one-way or pedestrian-only traffic. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 Why not when they are ripping up westheimer for the drainage work just install a subway? Cut and cover - and then it could hit all the good spots too 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ADCS Posted November 19, 2015 Author Share Posted November 19, 2015 Why not when they are ripping up westheimer for the drainage work just install a subway? Cut and cover - and then it could hit all the good spots too I'd like that too - but I'm not sure what the per mile cost would be. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greens! Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 (edited) What is the difference in CRT and HRT on your map? Looks like a nice start of network The commuter rail is meant to serve areas outside of the beltway so the majority of the stops would be in the more distant suburbs. The red stations are supposed to be transfer stations. Edited November 19, 2015 by Greens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greens! Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 I like the idea, except I would move the crosstown line from the politically-infeasible Richmond corridor and move it up to Westheimer. Heck, if the engineering requires it, I wouldn't be opposed to converting Lower Westheimer into one-way or pedestrian-only traffic. I figured that it would attract more riders if it passed through Greenway Plaza. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terra002 Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 I would love to see rail down westheimer. Elevated or subway would be preferred. Surface level would be a nightmare. There's way more business and residential along all of westheimer than richmond. Cant just build rail for greenway plaza. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 You haven't addressed commuters from Pearland to the TMC, and left the Energy corridor out of the picture too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
terra002 Posted November 19, 2015 Share Posted November 19, 2015 Westheimer would serve midtown, montrose, river oaks, highland village, galleria, westchase, etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mfastx Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Damn, I actually really like this idea if HSR doesn't get to downtown. Light rail from NW Mall to downtown would take too long, so I like heavy rail there. And I've always thought heavy rail should go all the way out Westheimer. Also nice job of connecting Hobby to downtown without overlapping the existing light rail too much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 Could you add a short section where the train does the loopty-loop like the Texas Tornado? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 20, 2015 Share Posted November 20, 2015 I like this layout, but maybe there should be an addendum that adds the Sugarland route, as that seems to be gaining steam behind closed doors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greens! Posted November 21, 2015 Share Posted November 21, 2015 (edited) Full view. To summarize, two hubs (east and west), heavy rail loop connecting them, commuter rail stops get more frequent outside of the beltway, and Pearland gets nothing because it's between two freight corridors and its about to get one of those tollway-inside of-freeway-inside of-avenue things and should be groovy for a while. Remaining railways get expanded and grade seperated to move chemicals and freight. Edited November 21, 2015 by Greens! 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cloud713 Posted November 22, 2015 Share Posted November 22, 2015 (edited) Great map! A lot of these routes look familiar, in a good way. I might have to revisit some of my old doodles/translate the routes onto a more legit map. what program did you use? Edited November 22, 2015 by cloud713 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 we arent getting a subway in the galleria area, cmon guys lol. lets be real Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greens! Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 Great map! A lot of these routes look familiar, in a good way. I might have to revisit some of my old doodles/translate the routes onto a more legit map.what program did you use? PowerPoint. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greens! Posted November 23, 2015 Share Posted November 23, 2015 we arent getting a subway in the galleria area, cmon guys lol. lets be real Yeah, it would make too much sense. Instead of a train that gets people in and out of employment districts or to airports quickly, we will get another billion dollar bus line that, takes 10 years to plan, doesn't really go anywhere, takes commuters to where they don't live, and then leaders will point to it as evidence to why mass transit can never work in Houston. Someone should tell these people that everything will be fine, Commuter trains still run on diesel, and people will still buy lots of gas for their cars. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wxman Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 (edited) None of the above maps service the North Frwy corridor or the northern burbs. Goes to show just how of touch they are. Not to mention, I'm fairly certain that the North Frwy is either the first or second most congested in the city. It sure as hell isn't the Estex. Edited November 24, 2015 by wxman 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greens! Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 None of the above maps service the North Frwy corridor or the northern burbs. Goes to show just how of touch they are. Not to mention, I'm fairly certain that the North Frwy is either the first or second most congested in the city. It sure as hell isn't the Estex. I had read somewhere that certain hazardous freight can't share rail with passengers. Since that freight still needs to reach the port, it leaves no path for a commuter rail system to follow going north. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 Not even between the Hardy Toll road? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Montrose1100 Posted November 24, 2015 Share Posted November 24, 2015 I had read somewhere that certain hazardous freight can't share rail with passengers. Since that freight still needs to reach the port, it leaves no path for a commuter rail system to follow going north.Aren't most of the park n rides on the west side of 45 anyways? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
samagon Posted November 25, 2015 Share Posted November 25, 2015 I had read somewhere that certain hazardous freight can't share rail with passengers. Since that freight still needs to reach the port, it leaves no path for a commuter rail system to follow going north.Which is crazy because hazardous freight goes through neighborhoods and next to schools all day long. But I guess because none of those people aren't commuters, it's OK. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 its sad because the only way this city ever becomes a world class city is by a better transit system. Instead we'll spend billions on expanding highways and nonsense. Sad , the worst part of it is that there is no light rail construction going anywhere in houston right now. We're contempt with our crappy transit 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naviguessor Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Well there is the Harrisburg overpass (I assume) that is under construction. But, you point is noted. And it is a real shame that there really is no momentum in the system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Especially since once you stop construction everyone who had gotten experience working on the rail road is let go and they lose their workforce Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 I mean seriously for a size if a city like Houston and the lack of train transit you'd think theyd be SOME new construction on a new line. Its so damn shameful Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 26, 2015 Share Posted November 26, 2015 Tell that to Culberson. There needs to be more of this talk directed towards him 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 More pressure needs to come from the mayor and one of our senators if they realy cared about houston future. It is just absolutely crazy to think that we have no new lines being developed in 2015 with houston transit system as it is now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Our mayor cannot do anything when you have a senator putting his thumb on the federal transportation budget specifically for light rail in his district. Parker and other city officials were able to get the Red extension and the Purple and Green lines. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Our mayor cannot do anything when you have a senator putting his thumb on the federal transportation budget specifically for light rail in his district.Parker and other city officials were able to get the Red extension and the Purple and Green lines. hes not a senator........... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 (edited) Yes you're right he's a congressman who still has the authority to do what I just said he does.You're trying to argue semantics. Edited November 27, 2015 by BigFootsSocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 we can still use non federal money to build the university line, if it went on a referendum now to get it build, itd definitively get voted yes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Yes but why isn't it being placed on a referendum? Why hasn't it received funding yet?Same answer; Culberson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 If its private money and you avoid his corridor we could get it build without federal funds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 If private money builds the University line then I will eat my hat. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cspwal Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 It's what I would do if I got a zillion dollars but I really hate driving to the galleria I do think Astros meant city money as opposed to federal funds Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 There's no way close to a billion dollars can be spent on rail without the rest of the city raising an uproar on why that isn't being spent on roads. There's not a politician, left or right, that would try to push that without killing their career. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IronTiger Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 Well this topic went downhill fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigFootsSocks Posted November 27, 2015 Share Posted November 27, 2015 ^says the guy who derails every thread arguing with another poster 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 just shows how backwards our city is, these radical commuter ideas are all awesome but their atleast a century away with our citys mindsets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gmac Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 That's your opinion. Houston is not a "backwards city" by any means. It is a city that doesn't need a bunch of ants scurrying to a central hive to get business done. It's the wave of the future. If someone decides commuter rail is viable, it will get built. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astros148 Posted November 28, 2015 Share Posted November 28, 2015 Lmao if someonw finds commuter rail it will get built hahahahah. Hilarious like its that easy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
j_cuevas713 Posted December 1, 2015 Share Posted December 1, 2015 (edited) just shows how backwards our city is, these radical commuter ideas are all awesome but their atleast a century away with our citys mindsets.A century? You do know how long that is right? Edited December 1, 2015 by j_cuevas713 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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