Quote:
Originally Posted by Slartibartfas
I doubt they have the share of PT users for example Vienna has.
Its of course possible to have both, an extremely extensive PT infrastructure as well as car infrastructure. But its stupid to build infrastructure in way that it supersedes the overall demand a few times. After all you have an overall demand, and you have to serve it somehow. You can choose between car and PT. (among others like bikes, pedestrian movement that should be not underestimated in its potential etc). To build both in dimensions that both alone could nearly serve the complete demand or at least 2/3 of it alone (what you need in order to reach Viennese PT dimensions), would mean you have a huge overcapacity what would be in fact nothing else than wasting gigantic amounts of city space for infrastructure that would be thousand times better spent for other purposes the city might lack.
And to your last paragraph. Yes thats really the point. If one should want it. And thats what I said. I can not see how there are many in Europe who would want such an extensive city road network US cities have also in their own cities. And there are lots of very good reasons why they don't want it.
Just because something is possible does not mean that its really "progress". In Vienna cars only have a share of 33% in the total traffic and I dont see this as lack of developement, no, I am damn proud on this number. There are not many developed cities of that size in the world that manage such a low number like this.
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Lets be honest the main reason in europe is space. We have it you do not. There is no reason why cities that have decided to invest in their light rail or subway or commuter train systems can't also have extensive highway systems for those that do not want to be at the mercy of the PT system.
You keep talking about Vienna as if it were something for cities in the US to aspire to. Some will some will not. For me I do not really like PT and will always prefer to drive. You do not feel the same, I understand that. Part of the difference is the environments we were raised in. I lived in Germany from 11 to 16. We came back after school was over when I was 16 years old, and since at that time Americans mainly got their licenses through school sponsored drivers ed it meant I had to wait for 6 months before I could get my license. I hated it because all my friends were already driving. Slarti I am sure you had nothing like that. Environment has a lot to do with how you feel about this issue. Don't get me wrong it would not bother me to see the end of SUV's and much more efficient cars, but in the end I still want to be able to drive whereever I want to. When my wife and I visit Europe hopefully later this year, we will rent a car for most of the time. We will take the train once or twice just so she can experience it, but for the most part we will drive so we can go where we want when we want on no one elses schedule.