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I'd like to attempt a partial response to some of what has been said about my position on the 101 highway and on short haul air flights. 1) The 101 Highway It is clear to me that there are two interlocking problems which are being confused here: one is safety the other is the way we (and others) choose to travel. Regardless of the big issues (such as providing decent bus and/or train service to get people out of their cars) there is a current issue of safety. This requires two immediate steps: a) some spearation of vehicles going in opposite directions and b) some ability for cars, buses, trucks, trailers of different speeds to pass each other safely. Some of this can be accomplished cheaply by putting physical barriers between the different directions of traffic in the very dangerous areas. The second thing which can be done is to build "turn outs" such as are employed by Washington state. There, it is illegal to NOT use a turn out when there are 5 or more cars directly behind you. This system works very well and should be employed here. Beyond those measures, there should be a serious debate about a frequent subsidized and timely bus system which will enhance travel to activitios in the Valley for those in Halifax and vice versa. Take an example of the Atlantic Theatre Festival, a very worthwhile and excellent cultural activity. Twice in the last month I have driven out there in the afternoon (with 4 and 3 people in my Honda) to have a meal and see a play. This involved driving home from Wolfville after 11 pm both times. This is not a pleasant experience. If there had been bus service coordinated with the ATF we sould have used it...you try driving home after Othello!! If a good bus system is employed (one with reservations and buses less than 50 years old) then questions about which sections of the road are dangerous can be brought up in the context of options for those who wish to use the road. Then a rail versus road debate would make sense. The problem with rail in areas with distributed population is the high cost per trip compared to a bus. Also buses can alter their routes as necessary (eg ACADIA football games, ATF, Fairs, etc. which happen intermittently). Some comibination is also possible. 2) Short Haul Air Flights In many parts of the US, and in South America, short haul air routes are removing cars from highways and providing quick access to the city for country people (eg) Mexico, Brazil and some western states. In some parts of the US, people are actually living in one city and working a few days a month in another, while doing most of theit work on home computer. Thbe question of what distances should be done by air versus on the surface is certainly an issue. I know of the commuter air network into Boston from parts of New England works very efficiently (I experienced the service in 1989 while working briefly in Brunswick, ME.) It seems to me that the goal of any commute is to make it no more than 60-75 minutes. If distance, weather, road or rail conditions makes a surface trip longer than that then air should be looked at. Certainly trips from Halifax to Boston should be done by air unless someone is hauling an RV for a long camping trip. Which brings up my final point.... 3) Cars I think it is very arrogant for any of us to assume that every car and/or every car trip that is not essential should not be taken. There are many people who don't get around very well...who don't bike, who don't walk easily and who still wnat to get out. I think that having one car with a four cyclinder engine for two people is not excessive. As far as pollution is concerned our auto use represents less than a third of our home heating use on a litre by litre basis. So, our pollution from non-essential trips is a fairly small fraction of our personal ecological footprint. I have argued both in my class and publicly that houses with 3 people and 5 vehicles are the problem (unless they're farms). I would stick with that analysis. I think it is a no-win position to try to brand all cars as evil. Before we have a functioning alternative way to get city people to the country and vice versa, I see no alternative. There are many crafts people who require transport like this. More later. OH ________________________________________________________________ Owen Hertzman E-mail: Owen.Hertzman@Dal.Ca Dept. of Oceanography Phone: (902) 494-3683 Dalhousie University FAX: (902) 494-2885 Halifax, NS CANADA, B3H 4J1
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