Comments on: Back to the Grid: John Norquist on How to Fix National Transpo Policy http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/03/26/back-to-the-grid-john-norquist-on-how-to-fix-national-transpo-policy/ Covering Los Angeles's livable streets movement Sat, 21 Nov 2009 21:23:58 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Umberto Brayj http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/03/26/back-to-the-grid-john-norquist-on-how-to-fix-national-transpo-policy/comment-page-1/#comment-5013 Umberto Brayj Fri, 27 Mar 2009 06:08:46 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=1920#comment-5013 I wonder what research is behind his "intersections per square mile" metric? After stumbling on the Death Star for non-car projects a while ago (i.e. the Institute for Transportation Engineers web-site), I was kind of shocked at how powerful this group of tradesmen were in America. They don't order hits, but the principles they use to design our rights-of-way have some profoundly negative impacts on things that most humans desire: community, peace and quiet, good air quality, convenient local commerce. I have a feeling that the money made in the 20th century spurring on the oil-fueled consumer/car culture has a lot to do with the direction that transportation engineering went. It's like, prior to Beethoven breaking free from the patronage system, composers were obligated to make music to suit the tastes of their sponsors, and not necessarily their fellow man. I wonder what research is behind his "intersections per square mile" metric?

After stumbling on the Death Star for non-car projects a while ago (i.e. the Institute for Transportation Engineers web-site), I was kind of shocked at how powerful this group of tradesmen were in America.

They don't order hits, but the principles they use to design our rights-of-way have some profoundly negative impacts on things that most humans desire: community, peace and quiet, good air quality, convenient local commerce.

I have a feeling that the money made in the 20th century spurring on the oil-fueled consumer/car culture has a lot to do with the direction that transportation engineering went. It's like, prior to Beethoven breaking free from the patronage system, composers were obligated to make music to suit the tastes of their sponsors, and not necessarily their fellow man.

]]> By: Jessica http://la.streetsblog.org/2009/03/26/back-to-the-grid-john-norquist-on-how-to-fix-national-transpo-policy/comment-page-1/#comment-5009 Jessica Thu, 26 Mar 2009 23:27:09 +0000 http://la.streetsblog.org/?p=1920#comment-5009 Great interview Great interview

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