[ale] OT: Maglev funding?

[James Taylor]

I was in Vegas a couple of weeks ago for a conference, and the monorail system they have there worked great.
I think they only have about 10 stops on a single line, so I'm not sure how it would apply to a larger system.
-jt 
 

James Taylor
The East Cobb Group, Inc.
678-697-9420
james.taylor at eastcobbgroup.com
http://www.eastcobbgroup.com






>>> Benjie <benjie.godfrey at gmail.com> 2/16/2009 01:03 PM >>> 
Monorail's biggest drawback is that current systems don't have track
switching mechanisms.  They operate on loops, which is a big problem
in existing urban areas.  If I remember correctly, Disney's system is
composed of two big loops.  Also, I would venture to say that Disney
World probably doesn't carry as many passengers as MARTA does on a
daily basis.  They also rely heavily on buses to move people from park
to park as well as their resorts.  They haven't extended their
monorail since Epcot was built.  That would lead me to believe it
isn't as cheap as it would seem.

On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 12:50 PM, Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hear! Hear!
>
> Case in point: Look at Disney World for an example of monorail as an
> efficient means of moving HUGE numbers of people for very little cost.
> The initial capital outlay is on par or below other rail methods with
> lower operating costs. The propulsion mechanism can be any technology
> format.
>
> If cheapskate Disney can do it, why not elsewhere?
>
> On Mon, Feb 16, 2009 at 11:28 AM, Jeff Hubbs <jeffrey.hubbs at gmail.com> wrote:
>> I would really rather see this money go into monorail than heavy rail.
>> Monorail totally changes the game with respect to right-of-way and grade
>> crossing issues and there are different manufacturers' products that are
>> just begging to be integrated into new trains.  You don't see more
>> monorail because fewer people make less money that way...and that
>> matters when the interests of the contractors for a public works project
>> are put ahead of the public's.
>>
>> Jeff Lightner wrote:
>>> Interesting
>>>
>>> I had mentioned to friends/family in Dalton and Chattanooga that there
>>> is a proposal to initiate rail service from Atlanta up I 85 to South
>>> Carolina and that I hadn't heard recently about going up I 75 to
>>> Chattanooga proposal that had been bandied about for years.
>>>
>>> Personally I'd like to see it happen but if they can't get the outer
>>> beltway through the Northern suburbs or even a road widening on the
>>> Fulton side of Johnson Ferry I wouldn't hold my breath.
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: ale-bounces at ale.org [mailto:ale-bounces at ale.org] On Behalf Of Greg
>>> Freemyer
>>> Sent: Monday, February 16, 2009 10:22 AM
>>> To: Atlanta Linux Enthusiasts
>>> Subject: [ale] OT: Maglev funding?
>>>
>>> All,
>>>
>>> Anyone know if the spending bill included funds for the Atlanta -
>>> Chattanooga HSGT line (High Speed Ground Transportation)?
>>>
>>> == Background
>>>
>>> If you don't know there is an ongoing HSGT (Maglev or Steel Rail)
>>> project that may eventually go from:
>>>
>>> Savannah - Atlanta - Chattanooga - Nashville - Chicago
>>>
>>> The Atlanta - Chattanooga section is the furthest along and about to
>>> enter "Tier 2" status I think (but I think Tier 2 activity is
>>> currently unfunded):
>>>
>>> http://www.dot.state.ga.us/aboutGeorgiadot/Board/Documents/2009%20Meetin
>>> gs%20Presentations/Jan/HighSpeedGroundTransportation.pdf
>>>
>>> If you go to page 10, you see it is one of 3 east of the Mississippi
>>> projects (LA - Vegas is the big west of the Mississippi project).
>>>
>>> I'm hoping this project will get a big boost from the spending bill.
>>>
>>> Greg
>>>
>>
>>
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>
>
>
> --
> --
> James P. Kinney III
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