Greenbelts = Happy Trails for Hampton, Georgia

As "interconnectivity" and "transportation solutions" become buzzwords, one Hampton group has taken steps to make sure they become reality.

The Trail and Rail Action Coalition (TRAC) recently incorporated as a non-profit organization in the spirit of the PATH Foundation to promote the establishment of paved walking and biking trails that will tie into neighborhoods and other transportation systems.

And they've got some big help. Former Hampton City Manager Chris Rainwater signed on as executive director and the coalition's only employee.

Read the full story online at HenryHerald.com

DART is right on target for successful modern transit
 
One of the most aggressive new train systems under way is the Dallas light rail network (DART) which started construction just 5 years ago. Its now in the process of doubling the size of the original system with over 50 more miles of new track being laid, and 14 new rail stations under construction. The citizens voted to expand the system several times, and it currently receives daily ridership of over 38,000 passengers. The new train system has spurred a number of new urban development projects around the stations totaling more than $800 million. Property values have gone up 25% around the stations over the past 4 years.Good design has played a big part in the success of the current wave of new train systems. In addition to attractive and modern rail cars, DART has spent a lot of time and money coming up with exceptionally designed stations, slick marketing campaigns, and an old movie theme to their advertisements and poster designs. Good design encourages more people to ride, and makes the new trains more successful. Even their website is well designed and informative:  Dart.org

Source:  NewTrains.org

ATLANTA STREETCAR VIDEO

Learn how a Streetcar Initiative along Peachtree Street could help ease traffic congestion, create connectivity, and promote tourism and development.  Narrated by WSB-TV news anchor Monica Kaufman, the video gives an overview of how the Streetcar could transform Atlanta into a more liveable city.

Click here to view the video.

City consolidates transit studies
 
Atlanta's development agency appears to be doing all it can to fast-track an effort to determine the feasibility of a transit loop and greenway around the inner city.

The city has asked the private sector for proposals on how to fund construction of the Belt Line, which is expected to spark development in blighted neighborhoods and possibly provide transit through a greenway. The working idea is to create a special tax district to buy land and help fund projects in the corridor.

Now the Atlanta Development Authority is offering to help companies get the information they need as fast as possible. It will assemble existing studies, rather than having the companies seek them. And it will make arrangements for data to be provided swiftly by key potential partners, including the city, the Atlanta Regional Commission, the Trust for Public Land and the PATH Foundation.

The authority also narrowed the focus of the study. Instead of having companies consider a wide array of possible routes, including potential recommendations from an ongoing review by MARTA, the companies are to consider 22-mile-long loop now comprised of unused rail lines.
 
— David Pendered
 
Source:  ajc.com>metro>horizons>ahead of the curve

Segway LLC is offering US customers special pricing on their p Series Human Transporter (HT) for the month of July. Customers can save $1,000 if they purchase the p Series HT before July 31, 2004.

The p Series is their smallest and lightest model. It was designed to easily navigate in congested pedestrian environments, be taken on a train or subway, and operate where bikes, cars, and people come together.

"Imagine being able to tell our visitors each year simply to step onto Peachtree and the streetcar will take them wherever they wish to go along the Peachtree Corridor,” says Spurgeon Richardson, CEO of Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau. “The streetcar would undoubtedly serve as an incredible benefit to the tourism and convention industry. Hundreds of world class restaurants, theaters, museums, art galleries and other retail shops would easily be within visitors' reach, and these organizations would in turn benefit from the increased volume the streetcar would bring. We look forward to working with Atlanta Streetcar, Inc. to help the Streetcar become an asset to the convention and tourism industry.”