Category Archives: Transportation

Transit productivity not political trophies

Posted on June 3, 2014 by JGA

Given the underwhelming ridership and cost figures estimated for the Grove to Highland rail proposal, some proponents are deploying a “political” argument on behalf of the route. Below is a real-world specimen that captures the main points of the political … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | 11 Comments

Letter to Council on Project Connect’s Transparency

Posted on June 2, 2014 by JGA

  I sent the following note to all Council Members earlier today. “Dear Council Members, As of this morning, Project Connect has not publicly released the methodology or source data for the ridership and cost estimates behind its LPA recommendation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | 10 Comments

Rail Options

Posted on April 29, 2014 by JGA

This week, the Project Connect staff and consultants are starting to put the finishing touches on their mode and alignment recommendation to the Mayor’s Central Corridor Advisory Group (CCAG).   CCAG will then stamp some version of that recommendation with its … Continue reading →

Posted in Transit, Transportation | 17 Comments

A New Balance for Austin Transportation Policy

Posted on March 3, 2014 by JGA

[This post is intended to serve as background reading for my portion of the upcoming transportation session of the 2014 Leadership Austin Engage Series. For best results, please review “Austin Transportation in 20 Slides” before diving into this post. And … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Leave a comment

Sub-Corridor Selection Scoreboard

Posted on November 13, 2013 by JGA

Last week, Project Connect (PC) held several community workshops to gather input on evaluation criteria and sub-corridor priorities. This is part of the public input process leading up to City Council selecting a ‘locally-preferred alternative’ for the initial sequence of … Continue reading →

Posted in Transit, Transportation | 4 Comments

Austin Affordability: What Matters?

Posted on May 15, 2012 by JGA

The discussion around Austin’s ‘affordability’ was perhaps the most interesting policy theme from the recent municipal election. Unfortunately, the discussion seemed to focus on economic development subsidies.  These subsidies – while they might contribute to reducing Austin’s affordability in some … Continue reading →

Posted in Development, Economics, Transportation | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Ideas for Improving Capital Metro Oversight

Posted on July 4, 2009 by JGA

This long-brewing dissatisfaction is probably what inspired Austin’s State Senator Kirk Watson to sponsor a bill that changes the criteria for appointment to the Cap Metro board. The bill was passed by the legislature and signed by the Governor.  Among … Continue reading →

Posted in Transportation | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment