Follow this link -- Rail or Real Solutions 2 --- to a presentation that highlights some of the reasons that rail mass transit is not only an inferior choice, but a certifiable loser. This is based on actual experiences throughout the nation.
From a transportation perspective, Honolulu's experience with rail will be far worse than the national average because of its small population, the small tax paying base (which is heavily taxed already,) and congestion levels that are far less than those in large metropolitan areas with rail systems. Honolulu does not need, cannot afford and cannot maintain a heavy rail system.
From an institutional perspective, there is abundant evidence that Honolulu cannot maintain sewers, cannot maintain pavements, and cannot operate traffic signals in an efficient manner, just to mention a few obvious shortcomings. Why would anyone trust the city to build, operate and maintain a $4 billion boondoggle?
Traffic congestion is a complex technical problem. It requires science, engineering and sound investing of public and private resources in order to be alleviated. Instead, our politicians are applying will power, wishful thinking and witchcraft to solve it.
Panos D. Prevedouros, Ph.D., is a Professor of Transportation Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. See his Web site at: http://www.eng.hawaii.edu/~panos/
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