Comments

1. Southeasterner

   October 14, 2016

   As far as the NY Times article on traffic and pollution I think they came up with one of the worst recommendations –

   “So when you’re stopped at an intersection, roll up the windows, and breathe easier.”

   OR how about
   * Reduce urban driving through congestion management,
   * Provide better alternatives to driving,
   * Tax all cost externalizes created by vehicles (emissions, casualties, injuries, lost time, etc…),
   * Don’t drive,
   * If you need to drive in an urban environment use an electric car.

   MIT estimates 53,000 premature deaths per year in the US are caused by auto emissions
   http://news.mit.edu/2013/study-air-pollution-causes-200000-early-deaths-each-year-in-the-us-0829

   With an estimated economic value of life per American of $1,000,000 and close to $400,000 in medical bills associated to treating lung ailments and cancers associated to emissions related deaths we are talking about a total annual economic cost associated to auto emissions of $74 BILLION per year, and that doesn’t even touch non-fatal emissions related illnesses including people who survive treatment for lung cancer, treatment for asthma, etc.

   1. Law Abider

      October 14, 2016

      I think we are 40 to 50 years out from what you hope for. It’s a two fold process:

      First, car is king in America. Until car isn’t king, you’re going to be hard pressed to implement congestion management or “taxing all cost externalizes created by vehicles”, due to political pressure. How do you fix that sooner? Your other options: don’t drive and provide better alternatives to driving. That fix is hopefully coming with ST3 and the subsequent ST4. ST3 is more than 20 years out for the Seattle portions and ST4 (which should fill in the Seattle network) is probably 30 to 40 years out. Those will truly revolutionize Seattle into a non-driving city. But again, 40 years if we’re lucky. But even then, I personally would still own a car, for recreational activities and visiting family, and I’m sure I’m not alone.

      Second, emissions and the electric car. I would love to own an electric car, and someday I might. About 6 months ago, I traded my old, but efficient (28 – 32 mpg) car for a brand new, even more efficient car (40 mpg). I looked at electric cars, but the issues were aplenty: (1) no charging options in my communal garage (fixable, but costly), (2) cost and range; (pick one) (3) infrastructure; if you can get to where you need to go, charging options are sketchy, but getting better. So an efficient ICE is what I ended up with.

      The electric car revolution will happen sooner than dethroning car as king, but I would still say that’s 10 to 20 years out.

2. Jonathan Mark

   October 14, 2016

   Does anyone know what the status is of SDOT’s update to the short term implementation plan for Bike Master Plan, especially downtown? Tom’s article on May 19 said the Center City Mobility Plan was going to produce a bus movement analysis in July, after which the bike implementation plan would be updated. Just wondering how that is going.

   If no one here knows, I can ask SDOT, and report back.

   1. Tom Fucoloro

      October 14, 2016

      The report on the delayed bike network has been delayed.

      The Center City Mobility Plan has morphed into the One Center City Plan. A poorly-advertised meeting about this plan was just held the other day. Next meetings: Nov 10 & Dec 8 at City Hall.

      Seattle Neighborhood Greenways was at the meeting: https://twitter.com/SNGreenways/status/786737441008787457

      I’m working on a more significant update, so stay tuned.

      1. Jonathan Mark

         October 14, 2016

         Thanks!

3. J

   October 16, 2016

   That’s terrifying. That dude needs to have his hunting license taken away.

   I spent a lot of time in central Pennsylvania, where hunting is pretty much a given when you’re out in the woods, even if you’re not in the game lands. I’ve had many conversations with people in Seattle that have no experience with living in such an area. Somewhat orthogonal to the post, but this seems like a good time to pass on the two important rules of staying safe.
   http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RUSlr3d28Qk/U3l4D2HIotI/AAAAAAAAFME/N4N81hYAxqY/s1600/IMG_5912.JPG

   1. Wear as much orange as you can, and at least wear a solid orange jacket. Not hi-vis yellow—solid bright ORANGE. This is the color that hunters watch out for. Put orange jackets on your dogs, too.

   2. Make noise. This is surprisingly difficult, especially if you’re not in a chatty group. At the very least, don’t try to be stealthy when you’re walking. If you hear gunshots, start yelling that you’re there.

   Bonus #3: Find out if there are days when hunting is prohibited (it was Sundays in PA) and take advantage of those days.