Official: Omaha Light Rail Discussion

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 9:44 pm

I totally agree with you. So much of it is about perception

As far as I'm concerned, the fact that I could be PRODUCTIVE in transit (reading, watching a video podcast, etc.) is more than justification when it comes to convenience.

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Mon Apr 27, 2009 10:06 pm

It would be great to have WiFi on the train....yet another reason to ride.

I commute up and down 72nd (would rather be going downtown) and I can connect my Ipod Touch to an access point at 72nd & Dodge if I have to wait at the light long enough. I think it's Scooters. Not long enough to surf, but I can download my e-mail.

I've noticed on the subways in NYC, everybody always has something to read. I think part of it is they are trying to avoid eye contact as well as stay informed.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:09 pm

Jim Suttle "Light rail is about economics, not transportation"

Shortly after Daub stated Omaha needs a more modern city(light rail) to keep the young citizens excited and engaged.

I'm guessing a couple more of you are voting for Daub now?
(I would have posted a link, but I only saw the clip on KETV)

GetUrban · Post by **GetUrban** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:46 pm

Yeah, I saw that clip. Didn't make much sense for Suttle to say that. Daub has a much better chance of pushing light rail through, once he puts his mind to it.

Though you have to admit Daub's latest commercial is pretty cheesy, both in style and substance...accusing Suttle of wanting to build a bridge from north 16th to a cornfield across the river, and a toboggan run in the new stadium. Daub should really stay positive given his past reputation for conflict. ...disappointing.

justnick · Post by **justnick** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 10:47 pm

S33 wrote:Jim Suttle "Light rail is about economics, not transportation"

Shortly after Daub stated Omaha needs a more modern city(light rail) to keep the young citizens excited and engaged.

I'm guessing a couple more of you are voting for Daub now?
(I would have posted a link, but I only saw the clip on KETV)

I think they're both stating we need it. One of them just needs to get off their |expletive| and get it done. Whichever one has a plan that gets that done faster deserves to win.

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Tue Apr 28, 2009 11:10 pm

To a point they are both very correct. Daub's line is very obvious and speaks for itself. However, Suttle is also correct - as far as federal funding is concerned, it's not about getting Aunt Cheryl from MofO to Village point. It's about what goes up along the route that will in turn bring money to the tax rolls, jobs, etc.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Apr 29, 2009 11:10 am

Exactly. But it's also CLEARLY about transportation.

mrdwhsr · Post by **mrdwhsr** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:53 am

S33 wrote:Jim Suttle "Light rail is about economics, not transportation"

Shortly after Daub stated Omaha needs a more modern city(light rail) to keep the young citizens excited and engaged.

I'm guessing a couple more of you are voting for Daub now?
(I would have posted a link, but I only saw the clip on KETV)

I half agree with Jim Suttle. I don't think Omaha's auto-culture is going to be very supportive of street-cars or light rail if there isn't some economic development. That (hopefully mixed use) development is what will bring riders to a street-car line. It is true of most transit systems that the heaviest ridership lives within three blocks of a stop. The street-car will provide transportation provided there is frequent scheduling (every 15-minutes 6am to midnight) and destinations (Downtown, MofO, Med-Center, Creighton U. Zoo, Airport...). I believe a starter line is needed to prove the concept to a skeptical (and provincial?) public. Folks on this Forum need to keep an eye on the government to make sure it is done right and at the right price.

Now isn't a bad time to consider a light-rail system either. The West Dodge Expressway is wall to wall / bumper to bumper traffic I680 to Village Point (168th St) in morning and evening rush hours. I've heard the Kennedy in south Omaha is pretty jammed too. The only option at this time is more lanes every twenty years. I think it can be demonstrated that light-rail from Downtown to Bellevue and VillagePoint with park-and-ride lots and circulator vans (Daubs idea) would be less expensive than additional cars/freeway lanes. Light rail should not require that Omaha tear down taxable properties - homes and businesses - to get folks from the un-annexed suburbs to downdown.

Not being a party line voter, this election looks like a tough choice. [Un?]fortunately my SID hasn't been annexed. I won't be voting for Mr Daub or Mr Suttle.

mrdwhsr · Post by **mrdwhsr** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:21 am

Denver RTD has another 55 light-rail vehicles on order for delivery over the next four years. Omaha is still at 0 and trying to figure out where to build more freeways...

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 8:36 am

That's because....

Denver = smart
Omaha = not so much

Post by **Brad** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 9:47 am

the1wags wrote:That's because....

Denver = smart
Omaha = not so much

Denver's Light Rail is awesome. I don't mind Omaha building freeways if the would look like this

Denver Light Rail Photos from Eric Miller (Zephyr)
1.

2.

3.

4.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 11:37 am

Jealous!!!

almighty_tuna · Post by **almighty_tuna** » Fri Sep 04, 2009 2:31 pm

T-Rex was expensive as heck but provided a great finished product.

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Mon Sep 21, 2009 8:50 pm

Speaking of Denver's light rail system, I found this article interesting. It's from Sept 10th 2007.

Bits from the article....

"Less than a year after the opening of its Southeast light rail transit (LRT) line, Denver's entire LRT system carries an average of nearly 61,000 rider-trips around the metro area each weekday, according to data from Denver's Regional Transportation District (RTD), reported in the Denver Post of 6 July. That's 7,000 more rider-trips than RTD expected."

"In reality, the LRT system has been growing so fast that RTD has been struggling to keep up with demand. According to the July 6th Post article, RTD has purchased an additional 34 LRT cars to augment the 83 already being operated."

Link to the full article.....

http://www.lightrailnow.org/news/n_news ... N_20070910

Uffda · Post by **Uffda** » Thu Dec 03, 2009 7:01 am

Utah light rail marks decade

http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional ... e442b.html

UTA officials already have a broad vision for what the upcoming decades will hold. Train tracks, either light or commuter rail, will be the backbone of a network that will include streetcars, buses and bus-rapid transit, as well as pedestrian and bike ways across the Wasatch Front, Inglish said. Eventually, he wants 90 percent of the urban population within one mile of public transportation.

mrdwhsr · Post by **mrdwhsr** » Fri Dec 04, 2009 3:49 pm

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/p ... p?id=22097

Through a Front Lines 2015 initiative, UTA plans to expand its passenger-rail network more than 70 miles by 2015. Three new TRAX lines are under construction with a fourth in the environmental study phase. The authority also plans to extend FrontRunner service 45 miles south from Salt Lake City to Provo.

“We’re creating the backbone of a system that will make Utah a model for public transportation in the West,” said UTA General Manager John Inglish in a prepared statement. “Our goal is for 90 percent of the population of the Wasatch Front to live within one mile of a major transit stop by 2030.”

TRAX = Light Rail

FrontRunner = Commuter Rail

Omaha needs someone like John Inglish who understands how to build and operate a transit system. I seriously doubt that even 50 percent of the population of Metro Omaha lives within a mile a bus stop. If the movers and shakers really want to have a Metro Area of 2-million by 2030 Omaha will really need a basic Light Rail system linking suburbs and Downtown. Or we could choose between gridlock or double the freeway lanes with the community destruction that will bring.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:31 pm

*Reposted from the "Streetcar" discussion. All related discussion pertaining to weather and transit can be posted THERE so the discussion isn't all over the place.

In the event of a snow emergency like we're experiencing right now, I can't help but see the opportunity to really talk up the benefits of streetcars and light rail.

Public transit in Omaha was CRIPPLED yesterday because buses have the same flaws as personal automobiles when it comes to getting around in the snow.

Buses only ran between 3:00 and 6:00 p.m. yesterday. I was waiting for a bus on St. Mary's Ave during that time. Understandably, they were running behind schedule, but I was waiting for a bus for more than 45 minutes. Luckily, I planned ahead and was properly dressed. When a bus DID finally show up, it was one that had turned around prematurely (before getting Downtown) to head back west because there were THREE 11 buses stacked up one after the other headed into Downtown.

With streetcars, and even more so with light rail (since it's more likely to be on dedicated right of way), snow and blizzard conditions are no obstacle.

I think rail transportation advocates should really play up the all-weather advantages of streetcars, light rail, and commuter rail. I think that angle would ring true with a lot of people in this area of the country.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:20 pm

While trains are better in bad weather, they are not perfect. There have been 3 derailments in the area since this storm. The OMAX (OPPD's Train) derailed just south of the Platte river. The BNSF lost 2 grain Hoppers in Gibson Yard (South Omaha). Another OMAX train derailed today somewhere near the Amtrak depot in Omaha.

DTO Luv · Post by **DTO Luv** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:22 pm

Cars crash all the time in bad weather. No one complains. bad things are going to happen but I think if you looked at the statistics you would see which is more likely to crash more often.

Post by **Brad** » Fri Dec 11, 2009 4:26 pm

I am not complaining or saying anything bad, I was just mentioning the fact they are not perfect in bad weather.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Sat Dec 12, 2009 6:37 pm

Certainly they are not perfect, but there has to be a difference between light rail vehicles and the heavy freight trains you are referencing.

mrdwhsr · Post by **mrdwhsr** » Mon Dec 14, 2009 3:15 pm

Light Rail and Streetcar systems have to plow snow from the right-of-way, keep track turnouts and flange-ways clear of snow, and keep ice from forming on the overhead wire (which causes a loss of power to the motors). If the lines are operated at regular frequent intervals 24 hours a day it does take extraordinary weather to bring things to a halt. It isn't a perfect system, but it does have advantages over bus transit.

The irony in this is that streetcar systems were usually required by franchise to plow their right-of-way as well as adjacent traffic lanes in public streets. Would that be a 'subsidy' paid for by the streetcar riders to the automobile drivers who used the streets plowed by the streetcar?

omaja · Post by **omaja** » Thu May 13, 2010 1:17 pm

A little something I whipped up today. Omaha in 2050? :;):

Click on the image to see the entire network.

Post by **Brad** » Thu May 13, 2010 1:41 pm

That's awesome. I could actually get everywhere I go!

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Thu May 13, 2010 8:27 pm

That is perfect if we want it in 2050 we better get started now!

Big E · Post by **Big E** » Fri May 14, 2010 10:04 am

Looks like Omaha in 1950, actually.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri May 14, 2010 2:16 pm

Big E wrote:Looks like Omaha in 1950, actually.

Ha. Yep.

Anyway, that's an incredibly comprehensive vision. Great job! I love some of your station names, too -- Q Merchants, Alphabet, etc.

And great design. Are you a designer? A transit planner?

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Wed Nov 24, 2010 7:01 pm

http://www.orail.proboards.com/

A new forum was just started today aiming at creating a website in support of Omaha light rail. Thought you guys might be interested. The creator, William, is looking for members interested in helping with the design and basically everything of the website.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 11:14 am

Hmmm. Not sure what the usefulness or goal of this is. It doesn't seem any different than the threads here where enthusiasts create maps and talk about name ideas.

Sure, it's fun to throw around ideas, but is this actually supposed to be some sort of catalyst to action? Seems more geared at model train hobbyists, rail fans and foamers, and Sim City enthusiasts.

Garrett · Post by **Garrett** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 2:46 pm

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:Hmmm. Not sure what the usefulness or goal of this is. It doesn't seem any different than the threads here where enthusiasts create maps and talk about name ideas.

Sure, it's fun to throw around ideas, but is this actually supposed to be some sort of catalyst to action? Seems more geared at model train hobbyists, rail fans and foamers, and Sim City enthusiasts.

Well, being the website was just created yesterday, what do you expect?

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 4:12 pm

I wasn't "expecting" anything. I just became curious as to what the actual goal is upon seeing that it is a forum (like this one) with a couple sections for maps and name ideas.

It just seems like enthusiasm, not necessarily advocacy.

Bosco55David · Post by **Bosco55David** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:11 pm

StreetsOfOmaha wrote:I wasn't "expecting" anything. I just became curious as to what the actual goal is upon seeing that it is a forum (like this one) with a couple sections for maps and name ideas.

It just seems like enthusiasm, not necessarily advocacy.

From my understanding, the creator wants to be able to show tangible support for the project should we ever get moving on it, and I think the forum is just the first step of that.

S33 · Post by **S33** » Thu Nov 25, 2010 7:52 pm

That forum is on |expletive| fire.

StreetsOfOmaha · Post by **StreetsOfOmaha** » Fri Nov 26, 2010 11:21 am

Bosco55David wrote:
StreetsOfOmaha wrote:I wasn't "expecting" anything. I just became curious as to what the actual goal is upon seeing that it is a forum (like this one) with a couple sections for maps and name ideas.

It just seems like enthusiasm, not necessarily advocacy.
From my understanding, the creator wants to be able to show tangible support for the project should we ever get moving on it, and I think the forum is just the first step of that.

Showing tangible support is Great! I just think playing around with map and corridor alignment ideas is putting the horse before the cart a little bit. And, in fact, I think it might actually be hurting the image of this group. As I said, it feels more like a group of train/transit enthusiasts rather than serious advocates for the implementation of light rail in Omaha.

Linkin5 · Post by **Linkin5** » Sat Nov 27, 2010 4:55 pm

S33 wrote:That forum is on |expletive| fire.

LOLZ. I can has nets forum too?

omaja · Post by **omaja** » Mon Nov 29, 2010 8:33 pm

I've done a little rethinking with my earlier map and decided to show where the different types of construction would come into play.

Omaha's Metro in 2050 courtesy of Google Maps.

The thickest lines represent sections of underground track; the medium lines dedicated rights-of-way (i.e. old freight rails, next to current railways, etc., with no at-grade crossings); and the thinnest lines would be track either directly on pavement or in a median alongside/in between the different directions of traffic.

nativeomahan · Post by **nativeomahan** » Mon Dec 27, 2010 4:54 pm

You might be interested in this story from NPR on the proliferation of light rail across America.

It's hard to find a city in America that isn't planning, proposing, studying or actually building a light rail system. Cities as diverse as Dallas, Seattle and Washington, D.C., all see light rail as part of their future — a way to reshape their development.

There are 35 light rail systems operating in the U.S. today. At least 13 metro areas are currently building others. Many more are being planned.

Perhaps the most ambitious light rail project in the country is being built in Denver. Downtown, behind Union Station, lies a cityscape that doesn't quite exist yet.

Much of the area is empty, fenced off. Construction crews are digging a huge hole in the ground in preparation for some of the final stages of a multiyear transportation project that is already changing the city.

http://www.npr.org/2010/12/27/132283143 ... c=fb&cc=fp

the1wags · Post by **the1wags** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 1:39 pm

Thanks for posting that Native. It's awesome to watch this project in Denver going on. It's good for Omaha too, as Kiewit is the contractor.

Link to the renderings.
http://www.denverunionstation.org/index ... &Itemid=14

Lots of construction updates here.
http://denverinfill.com/blog/

iamjacobm · Post by **iamjacobm** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 2:12 pm

HOLY |expletive|!

S33 · Post by **S33** » Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:02 pm

iamjacobm wrote:HOLY |expletive|!

It's kind of fluffed up with the conceptual cityscape and all, but yeah, makes me want to move to a bigger city.