Better Solutions to Traffic Problem
* Robert Aul is pleased with the Orange County Transportation Authority vote to pursue light rail (Letters, June 29). He should have been “perplexed” with himself instead of Drivers for Highway Safety for not reading OCTA’s Major Investment Study. Then he would have understood Drivers for Highway Safety pointing out that the study didn’t recommend light rail systems.
The study showed that roads were the way to go, based upon all categories of test applied--including pollution. Will Aul enjoy riding an Orange County rail system subsidized by taxpayers the same way he enjoyed European rail on the backs of motorists paying $3 to $4 per unit of gasoline?
Auto ownership is up in Europe, because they want or need the flexibility and convenience that fixed rail never will provide.
When Mr. Aul and [others] talk about pollution and fuel, have they never heard of the “fuel cell” as the power source being on the table at the auto manufacturers? It could soon obviate fuel and pollution as known today.
Contrary to Aul’s reasoning, proper building of highways will provide for safety, especially if the carpool lane is made into a mixed-flow lane. No one bothers to report the accident statistics of the carpool lane versus the other lanes.
CHRIS EMA
Santa Ana
* The Orange County Transportation Authority has completed a three-year, almost $4-million major investment study comparing [transportation] alternatives.
It is hard to imagine a more clear-cut and compelling study in support of roads. Nevertheless, the OCTA staff interpreted the study as “ambiguous” and “indicating the need for a multi-modal approach.”
Instead, an expanded study will determine the precise alignment, station stops and technology for train travel between Fullerton and Irvine. The proposed 28-mile rail line, hauling just 1% of the commuter trips in the year 2015, would cost [more than] $1.7 billion to build.
A $50-million to $60-million annual taxpayer subsidy would be required to keep the trains running.
WAYNE KING
Orange
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