The Transportation and Mass Transit Megathread

[GregH]

Sidewalk speedbumps would probably be pretty awful for users of wheelchairs and walkers, etc.

[DJBF1763]

Are we seriously suggesting hidden speed bumps for scooters or is this a joke? I understand a lot of people are annoyed by these things, but implementation of something like this would seriously injure people and inconvenience the disabled. Do people really feel as though people deserve to be seriously injured because they are riding an electric scooter? That is ludicrous. I never ever understand the passionate and sometimes irrational hate people have for scooters.

I also laugh at Uber Drivers complaining about this because I've heard numerous people complaining over the years about Uber Drivers who randomly make U-turns, sharply make turns, block traffic while waiting for their pick-up, make people feel unsafe in the car, and drive erratically. Except in their car they actually have a high percentage chance of killing someone when they drive recklessly.

Like it or not these things appear to be the way of the future for transportation in cities, Nashville ought to adapt, accept, and grow transportation solutions like this in order to continue to be the "it city" it has become. Just because they are different than a car does not mean they are any less viable of a transportation option. Build out bike/scooter lane infrastructure and maybe (heaven forbid) sacrifice a few parking spaces for lanes and docking spots. Once this is done, have the police actually enforce the rules on the books. It's a possible solution that is sensible and that will not cost that much money and could solve a lot of issues/arguing/angst. 

[Mr_Bond]

13 hours ago, CenterHill said:

Yeah, every time a scooter zips by me on a sidewalk I think about speed bumps, or maybe random trenches, or even those reverse spike thingies like at car rental agencies.     But then I think about all the pedestrians who would trip and fall over these solutions, and a bus goes by with Bart Durham on the side and I’m back to, we already have laws about this,  just enforce the ones we have, dammit.   

I love the scooters but when one passes me on the sidewalk, I start talking to myself, "Do not bump them.  Do not bump them.  Do not bump them."

Recently, the sidewalk riders are much slower and nicer than they were a few months ago.  Perhaps they're more aware that they're violating a scooter rule and the people around them don't like it.  If you can't ride a scooter according to the rules, don't ride a scooter.

[PaulChinetti]

If you've seen slower scooters, they have probably implemented the speed zones for various areas. 

[titanhog]

Ok...crazy thought...but is GPS precise enough to make it where the moment you start riding a scooter on a sidewalk, the scooter shuts down?  I realize it would take the scooter company probably actually going into their system and mapping all of the sidewalks or something...but could this work?

[PaulChinetti]

I don't think it would be accurate enough to do just sidewalks. I think that's why they just do zones. 

Think of how hard it is for your GPS/cellphone to find signal downtown. 

[GregH]

It is definitely not accurate enough to determine that, I think the margin of error is multiple meters. 

[bigeasy]

2 hours ago, DJBF1763 said:

Are we seriously suggesting hidden speed bumps for scooters or is this a joke?

I was definitely joking. More so to get the point across that simple measures like saying "don't do this", isn't going to stop people. The only ways to motivate people to stop doing something is to make it more difficult, or to take their money (aka fines)

[glamdring269]

Last weekend I would have been on board with some speed bumps. This is situation is beyond annoying in some areas.  Had three near misses on us last Friday and the third almost turned into an escalation beyond words (instigated by the scooter rider).

Frankly these things have no business on sidewalks and its disappointing that the city isn't doing more to stop it. Maybe a few innocent pedestrians who get slammed into and file lawsuits will ultimately force resolution.

Edited August 1, 2019 by glamdring269

[e-dub]

If I'm not mistaken, GPS is accurate to like 15-20 feet in the best conditions, meaning: open sky with no tall buildings.

[AsianintheNations]

In unrelated and very mundane transportation news not involving scooters, a new traffic light (not yet activated) has popped up at the intersection of 31st Ave South and Vanderbilt Place. Long overdue from the perspective of those trying to turn from the latter onto the former during rush hour (this does not apply to me but I feel sorry for them). However, there are two outstanding problems that I really hope they will address before turning the lights on. First, the pretty but overgrown trees block all visibility of the stoplights coming from the north (surprise!), and second, they really need to paint a crosswalk at this intersection as well. I know this is probably pretty boring, but it doesn't seem all that common for new lights to appear unrelated to a major new development, and it would seem this is primarily a reflection of overall increased density in the neighborhood (or at least the growth of Vanderbilt and Vanderbilt-associated institutions. In other other news, Vanderbilt Medical Center just bought out Tennova's hospital in Lebanon.)

Edited August 2, 2019 by AsianintheNations

[PaulChinetti]

@AsianintheNations I would report the tree trimming and sidewalk needs to Hub Nashville, it's been remarkably fast at getting things done. 

[markhollin]

Gotcha Mobility has decided to remove its scooters from Nashville, citing that they cannot keep up with the new rules being applied by Metro.  There are still 6 other brands on the streets (Bird, Lime, Spin, Uber's Jump, Lyft and Bolt). They have several weeks to show their commitment to making real changes to address ongoing safety concerns.

If not, the Metro Council has an option Aug. 20 to vote for a complete and full ban with legislation by council member Steve Glover. 

More at The Tennessean here:

https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2019/08/02/gotcha-mobility-takes-electric-scooters-off-nashville-streets/1899132001/

[markhollin]

A brief history of Nashville's Public Transportation:

https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/cover-story/article/21080239/the-scene-turns-20-a-brief-history-of-nashvilles-public-transportation

[nashvylle]

2 hours ago, markhollin said:

A brief history of Nashville's Public Transportation:

https://www.nashvillescene.com/news/cover-story/article/21080239/the-scene-turns-20-a-brief-history-of-nashvilles-public-transportation

Nashville public transportation: better in 1889 than in 2019. 

Edited August 4, 2019 by nashvylle

[smeagolsfree]

Unfortunate but true. We had more progressive leaders then than we do today.

[titanhog]

56 minutes ago, smeagolsfree said:

Unfortunate but true. We had more progressive leaders then than we do today.

And they didn't all have automobiles to freely move around in the 1880's.

[PaulChinetti]

If you like public transportation don’t ever Google about the street car companies and how the automobile makers bought them up and then ripped up the tracks/paved over and sold the rail cars off as scrap so more people would buy cars, you’ll get furious.

[grilled_cheese]

2 hours ago, PaulChinetti said:

If you like public transportation don’t ever Google about the street car companies and how the automobile makers bought them up and then ripped up the tracks/paved over and sold the rail cars off as scrap so more people would buy cars, you’ll get furious.

Sounds like the free market at work to me.  How could an economy based off quarterly profits go wrong?

[The Market]

10 minutes ago, grilled_cheese said:

Sounds like the free market at work to me.  How could an economy based off quarterly profits go wrong?

You say that like money isn't the one and only thing in the entire world. 

[Tennessine]

Although Nashville gets a mention, this isn't transportation news about Nashville: A Knoxville politician throws a wild pitch, proposing an elevated tram line.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.knoxnews.com/amp/1732882001

[Dale]

Would that sting if Knoxville got transit before Nashville ?

[Tennessine]

1 hour ago, Dale said:

Would that sting if Knoxville got transit before Nashville ?

Yes, it would sting badly, but I doubt that would happen. However, Knoxville already owns streetcars, which were purchased from San Diego a few years ago. They're ready for use if the city is willing to put forth the money.

[Dale]

2 hours ago, nativetenn said:

Yes, it would sting badly, but I doubt that would happen. However, Knoxville already owns streetcars, which were purchased from San Diego a few years ago. They're ready for use if the city is willing to put forth the money.

That would be perfect for Knoxville!

[Bos2Nash]

On 8/1/2019 at 1:58 PM, PaulChinetti said:

If you've seen slower scooters, they have probably implemented the speed zones for various areas. 

They’ve definitely implemented speed zones. I’ve had trouble on Demonbreun between 9th and 3rd the last couple times I’ve used them. Also a limited portion of the pedestrian bridge is within a speed zone. Lyft (the primary one I use) has also implemented the time restrictions as well. They seem to be very committed to the new regulations. 

On 8/1/2019 at 2:25 PM, titanhog said:

Ok...crazy thought...but is GPS precise enough to make it where the moment you start riding a scooter on a sidewalk, the scooter shuts down?  I realize it would take the scooter company probably actually going into their system and mapping all of the sidewalks or something...but could this work?

I’ve been having these same thoughts. I thought I heard that the “geo-netting” could accurate to within 5’ because there was some talk about restrictions around Vanderbilt campus, such as their pedestrian bridge.