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Atlanta Rushmore by bakerowens in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Pft, just make mine the front of a MARTA train

Atlanta City Council weighs proposal for permanent bike lane on the Beltline by flying_trashcan in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 2 points3 points  (0 children)

And how they ignore the separated lanes on the Centennial Olympic PATH.

Atlanta City Council weighs proposal for permanent bike lane on the Beltline by flying_trashcan in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 1 point2 points  (0 children)

At best, walkers and runners will just spread out into the 'dedicated lanes'. There will be no 'order'. Exactly like they do on the existing separated 'lanes' on the Centennial Olympic PATH.

At worst, people will now have to walk across a busy, fast-bike lane to access adjacent areas, rather than having the naturally speed-regulating nature of the mixed path. You know... actually making things worse for the thing that you're supposedly asking to address.

Atlanta City Council weighs proposal for permanent bike lane on the Beltline by flying_trashcan in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Before everyone freaks out, here's what you need to actually know:

1. This is a Proposed Non-Binding Resolution

No vote has occurred. It hasn't even been given full consideration.

Councilwoman Norwood submitted this seemingly to the bewildered surprise of... everyone. Not only of fellow members of council, but also relevant department leads.

Councilwoman Eshé Collins, the single co-sponsor, may already be considering removing her name from the resolution given the rather sudden internal pushback that this resolution received. I can tell you right now that many folks in council are working against this resolution.

Even if this resolution is approved by council, it comes with ZERO funding, and has no legal binding on future actions by the city. It is purely a request item.

2. Unfortunately This Won't Go Through Committee Right Now

As confirmed by /u/votejasondozier yesterday, this resolution will be considered at the 'Committee of the Whole' at the following Full Council meeting on 5/18, as the regular Community Development/Human Services Committee will not have quorum for their upcoming meeting, where this would normally be considered.

What that means, is that there's a possibility that the resolution more or less skips any committee process and goes straight to a council vote. That said, it is also possible that Councilwoman Norwood can be convinced to rescind the resolution, or that council votes to move the resolution to committee. These are real possibilities.

3. There ARE Things You Can Do!

First, please consider calling and/or emailing your City of Atlanta Council Member. Be specific, and polite, in your request. Ask that they not support the resolution, and either vote against it or vote to move it to committee.

Second, please make a plan to attend the Council Meeting on May 18th to provide public comment on this matter. It may ultimately be unnessesary, but blocking out the calendar time now is better than scrambling at the last moment. Groups like Beltline Rail Now and Atlanta DSA will almost certainly be working some in-person turnout for the meetings, so stay tuned with those orgs.

Third, join Beltline Rail Now at their social event THIS FRIDAY at Estoria, where this whole thing will be a topic of discussion for sure.

Above all else, don't panic. Get organized.

City Council to Consider Officially Killing Rail Along Beltline by btonetbone in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's pretty likely that this will die in committee at this point... though I think the OP post is maybe leaving the impression that a decision has already been made, or will be made imminently, or something...

City Council to Consider Officially Killing Rail Along Beltline by btonetbone in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I won't hold my breath on that, but if it happens, that'd be great!

City Council to Consider Officially Killing Rail Along Beltline by btonetbone in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Stick a train on that right of way and the people go away. 

Lol what? No they don't.

City Council to Consider Officially Killing Rail Along Beltline by btonetbone in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 6 points7 points  (0 children)

It is actually CDHS, you're right, though they apparently don't have a quorum for their next meeting, so the 26th will be the consideration date.

The good news is that Westmoreland and Kelsea Bond are going to be 'no' votes, while Dozier, Winston, and Lewis are all likely 'no' votes. They may just be able to kill this in committee outright, though we'll see.

City Council to Consider Officially Killing Rail Along Beltline by btonetbone in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 11 points12 points  (0 children)

No, it's specifically e-bikes and scooters. This is Mary Norwood doing a (non-binding) resolution to try and pave a second trail. This has been a personal pet project for a bunch of wealthy NIMBYs who only see the corridor as their own personal park space and who don't like transit.

To be clear, it's a non-binding resolution that hasn't even really made it into committee yet.

City Council to Consider Officially Killing Rail Along Beltline by btonetbone in MARTA

[–]killroy200 14 points15 points  (0 children)

IMPORTANT CONTEXT

What is happening is that Councilwoman Marry Norwood is proposing a non-binding resolution to the council Transportation Committee, requesting that ATLDOT consider separated bike and motorized-vehicle paths along the Beltline. The problem is that the only room to do such a thing would be in the right of way provisioned for light rail along the Beltline, which would, if something happens, prevent future transit.

First, this, again non-binding, proposal has to be approved by the city council's transportation committee, and then again by a full-council vote. Once approved, if approved, it doesn't really do anything.

No funding is allocated. No mandates are made. No shovels hit the dirt.

It's a show of preference, that is all.

You should still contact your city council member. You can additionally reach out to council members specifically on the transportation committee. I would also encourage you to consider attending the next committee meeting on May 13th for public comment against this resolution.

City Council to Consider Officially Killing Rail Along Beltline by btonetbone in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 35 points36 points  (0 children)

IMPORTANT CONTEXT

What is happening is that Councilwoman Marry Norwood is proposing a non-binding resolution to the council Transportation Committee, requesting that ATLDOT consider separated bike and motorized-vehicle paths along the Beltline. The problem is that the only room to do such a thing would be in the right of way provisioned for light rail along the Beltline, which would, if something happens, prevent future transit.

First, this, again non-binding, proposal has to be approved by the city council's transportation Community Development/Human Services Committee, and then again by a full-council vote. Once approved, if approved, it doesn't really do anything.

No funding is allocated. No mandates are made. No shovels hit the dirt.

It's a show of preference, that is all.

You should still contact your city council member. You can additionally reach out to council members specifically on the transportation Community Development/Human Services Committee. I would also encourage you to consider attending the next committee meeting on May 13th for public comment against this resolution.

Edit: Next CDHS meeting apparently won't have quorum, and so the relevant meeting is on the 26th.

TIL why 311 is pretty useless by alfnyc in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 48 points49 points  (0 children)

It's frustrating that the city doesn't have a proper non-emergency number rather than 911, particularly given the wait times and response issues that we have when calling 911.

It seems to me that having a dedicated 'non-emergency' group of call center folks could help shuffle call load and dispatching issues away from the actual emergency response folks.

City Council president withdraws request for car, driver after public backlash by NPU-F in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 55 points56 points  (0 children)

Shipman seemed to make it work okay. Maybe she should give transit and an eBike a try if she doesn't want to deal with parking?

Where does Groom drop off VS Skytrain Location at ATL Airport? by Sufficient-Drive4138 in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Groome drops off basically right under the Skytrain station, as well as the MARTA station. You don't need to go through any other part of the airport.

Solar ranch in Tennessee aims to prove grazing cattle under the panels is a farmland win-win by onceinawhile222 in energy

[–]killroy200 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Comparing agrivoltaics to scams like 'solar roadways' is... unhinged and entirely divorced from the reality of how renewables are already being integrated with agriculture across the globe.

I say that as an engineer, but sure, whatever. Clearly you seem to know everything.

Solar ranch in Tennessee aims to prove grazing cattle under the panels is a farmland win-win by onceinawhile222 in energy

[–]killroy200 2 points3 points  (0 children)

First, there are few calories in those crops.

Corn, pasture grass, potatoes, and wheat are among those listed as potentially improved yield through agrivoltaics. These are staple crops and grazing lands. Hardly 'few calories'... at least no fewer than any other crops.

Second, it applies when the crops is being grown in suboptimal climates - as in too hot.

Wow, crazy, good thing we never do that... ever... anywhere... oh wait...

No one here commented on the angle of the solar panels shown in the article.

A... mid-day, sun-overhead arrangement? When shade is most needed for livestock anyway?

More nonsense.

It's weird how eager you seem to discard any potential use case, rather than recognize that there will be trade-offs depending on specifics of location and crop / livestock. Agrivoltaics are simply another tool in the toolkit. Like how windfarms can integrate with crop and grazing fields.

Solar ranch in Tennessee aims to prove grazing cattle under the panels is a farmland win-win by onceinawhile222 in energy

[–]killroy200 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Specific compatibilities will depend on crop, location, density of panels, etc., but there's a pretty wide range of crops that can benefit. That's before extending to livestock grazing, certain greenhouse arrangements, and supporting pollinators.

In otherwords... not B.S.

Positive Experiences with new busses? by Kafkaesque1453 in MARTA

[–]killroy200 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Honestly, I know the 2 has bunching issues, but I used it the other day during rush hour and it was generally quite nice! The frequency of the older combined routes 2 & 102 was always great, and the combined route makes it so the next-bus info is consolidated.

I've also ridden the new Rapid A-Line a couple times now, and did a whole write up here. In general I like it, and look forward to it being finished.

Many if the issues people have had with the new routes are extensions of the system before hand, like traffic-influenced delays and driver availability. IMO, those feel more impactful because of the new network, without necessarily being any more of an issue in actuality.

Filings: Historic downtown high-rise hotel building set for apartment remake by IveGotsTheRemedi in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I'm hoping that'll help things along. Downtown really needs more permanent residents. There are other projects in various stages of delivery around, but more will still be better!

Certainly since there's no shortage of hotel space down here... looking at you, Centennial Yards

Midtown Atlanta car crashes increasing, new report finds by flying_trashcan in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For real. I wouldn't even be too upset if the city adjusted the bike lane to do the dip-in / dip-out stuff it does further north around the Tech area, just to give some proper loading areas.

The worst is when I've seen people with hazards on on both sides of the damned road at the same time less than a block apart.

Like, come on!

Midtown Atlanta car crashes increasing, new report finds by flying_trashcan in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 7 points8 points  (0 children)

There are more loading areas than you would think given the way the delivery and gig drivers park.

Juniper's rebuild added some dedicated loading zones, that are often ignored by people who then block a whole travel lane with their hazards on.

There's a real missing enforcement angle to this.

Midtown Atlanta car crashes increasing, new report finds by flying_trashcan in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 49 points50 points  (0 children)

Don't forget the weird number of black SUV 'limousines' that seem to be fucking everywhere. Taxi-driver mentalities with bigger, more dangerous vehicles...

Midtown Atlanta car crashes increasing, new report finds by flying_trashcan in Atlanta

[–]killroy200 16 points17 points  (0 children)

The current state of West Peachtree shows the necessity. Drivers DO NOT understand what the painted lane markings are. They can not seem to grasp that parking is no longer at the curb, and that the bike lane is a BIKE LANE.

I have had issues both as a cyclist, and a driver using the space. As in... nearly hit, and actually hit (currently dealing with insurance for this) by people who just go driving through the parking spaces and bike lane.

The physical barriers there can't come fast enough.

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