Traffic Congestion and Highway Construction

[kermit]

12 hours ago, Windsurfer said:

What I don't get is, landowners had to tolerate railroad companies' privilege to acquire land/track rights by whatever means with the help of our government, yet, our government has no right to dictate how those rails are used.   Do rail companies still get track ROWs or do they already have so many they don't need anymore?

Actually the government does still have the right to regulate railroads to a degree. Government assistance to railroads when they were being built (including regulatory advantages like the ability to acquire land via eminent domain) came with the condition that a) freight rates (these days just service availability) were subject to regulation by the Surface Transportation Board and b) passenger service must still be provided. The creation of Amtrak in 1972(?) relieved the railroads of the responsibility of providing passenger service, BUT this deregulation came with the requirement that the freight railroads allow Amtrak to use their tracks for passenger service.  Needless to say, this right is not absolute, railroads can cite capacity limitations, but, if those limitations are addressed they must provide Amtrak access. Unfortunately the current political environment means that regulators have really rolled over for the freight companies. Also (unfortunately), this requirement that railroads allow passenger service does not extend to transit operators.

5 hours ago, carolinaboy said:

 Can you tell us (specifically me) what the differences are between commuter rail and regional passenger rail? I'm not sure I know the differences and am eager to learn. 

Commuter rail is generally defined by service patterns focused on moving suburban residents into the central business district in the morning and out again in the afternoons (and little or no service in between). Regional rail is much more like normal transit service, except on heavy rail tracks (frequent, bi-directional service). Most folks believe that Covid and hybrid work has made Commuter Rail unworkable, but agencies running regional rail service are seeing very strong mid-day, weekend and evening ridership levels.

Edited September 27, 2023 by kermit

[elrodvt]

@kaymanisn't there a technological difference though? 

[kayman]

47 minutes ago, elrodvt said:

@kaymanisn't there a technological difference though? 

It depends the type of railway infrastructure is used to determine that.  If it uses a seperate track from the existing Class A railway within the right of way then yeah it is.  However, if it shares three same trackage with the Class A railway then no. Also an overhead catanary versus diesel multiple unit (DMU) engine powered versus an electrified third rail plays a role in regulation.

[KJHburg]

from Greensboro UP site and from our newly passed state budget this little tidbit for this area:

 

what designation would this be?  an offshoot of I-85 or I-26?  Like a I-226?

 

[Third Strike]

3 hours ago, KJHburg said:

from Greensboro UP site and from our newly passed state budget this little tidbit for this area:

 

what designation would this be?  an offshoot of I-85 or I-26?  Like a I-226?

 

I think it would have to be an auxiliary of I-26. None of the even I-85 designations are available and are used elsewhere in the state. They might want to avoid I-226, because NC 226 is currently used and crosses US 74 in Shelby. I’m going to guess and say I-426, I-626 or I-826 would be used for this segment of US 74. 

[Take2]

12 hours ago, kayman said:

 This is also a situation where both North Carolina and South Carolina could work together.

Oil, meet water...

[Take2]

Regional rail will work in Charlotte until it becomes more inconvenient to drive then it would be to well, not drive.

The drive into the city, parking, absolutely everything will have to get worse before Charlotte would see successful rail. 

Right now Charlotte is still a bit too concerned with pleasing everyone for it to happen.

 

 She needs to be somewhat of a B****, make ot tough to park, expensive to park... etc

 

 

 

 

[Crucial_Infra]

21 hours ago, Third Strike said:

I think it would have to be an auxiliary of I-26. None of the even I-85 designations are available and are used elsewhere in the state. They might want to avoid I-226, because NC 226 is currently used and crosses US 74 in Shelby. I’m going to guess and say I-426, I-626 or I-826 would be used for this segment of US 74. 

Are we sure all these I-26 auxiliary designations haven’t already been reseverved for future Greensboro highways somehow???

[KJHburg]

53 minutes ago, Crucial_Infra said:

Are we sure all these I-26 auxiliary designations haven’t already been reseverved for future Greensboro highways somehow???

don't hate on the Gate City they only have these interstates: I-85, I-785, I-73, I-40, I-840 and soon I-685 (now US 421) and I-74 passes through Guilford County too.  

I guess this renumbering of US 74 west from I-85 to I-26 will be something like I-426 or I-826. 

[Crucial_Infra]

26 minutes ago, KJHburg said:

don't hate on the Gate City they only have these interstates: I-85, I-785, I-73, I-40, I-840 and soon I-685 (now US 421) and I-74 passes through Guilford County too.  

I guess this renumbering of US 74 west from I-85 to I-26 will be something like I-426 or I-826. 

Don’t forget I-85 Business. And short-lived I-40 Business (RIP) 

[Poo Diddy]

11 hours ago, KJHburg said:

don't hate on the Gate City they only have these interstates: I-85, I-785, I-73, I-40, I-840 and soon I-685 (now US 421) and I-74 passes through Guilford County too.  

I guess this renumbering of US 74 west from I-85 to I-26 will be something like I-426 or I-826. 

It's tough up in the Gate City.  Sometimes we lost track of an interstate only to find it later under the couch cushion

[KJHburg]

10 hours ago, Crucial_Infra said:

Don’t forget I-85 Business. And short-lived I-40 Business (RIP) 

sad to report Business 85 will no longer be called that soon as they removing the signs and designation.

Business Loop I-85 - Lexington, High Point, Greensboro - AARoads - North Carolina   now it will be just US 29 or whatever other route they run on it.  

[Crucial_Infra]

10 hours ago, KJHburg said:

sad to report Business 85 will no longer be called that soon as they removing the signs and designation.

Business Loop I-85 - Lexington, High Point, Greensboro - AARoads - North Carolina   now it will be just US 29 or whatever other route they run on it.  

Feels like closing the barn door after the horse escaped

[rancenc]

Positive news on the transportation funding front for the state of NC.

https://wcti12.com/news/local/north-carolina-receives-158-billion-from-federal-highway-administration-for-infrastructure-improvements

It is 1 POINT 5 billion dollars by the way.......

Edited October 5, 2023 by rancenc

[nicholas]

Speaking of interstates.  I am continually astounded by the number of absolute idiots who will not move out of the left lane when there is a faster vehicle behind them.

[Crucial_Infra]

3 hours ago, nicholas said:

Speaking of interstates.  I am continually astounded by the number of absolute idiots who will not move out of the left lane when there is a faster vehicle behind them.

People inherently believe that if they are going the speed limit then they’re not the problem, but they are! Because it forces faster moving traffic to pass on the right (which is legal btw) but is also more dangerous bc it’s not how traffic is supposed to operate. Move over, people! 

[videtur quam contuor]

Lane discipline. 

[carolinaboy]

17 hours ago, nicholas said:

Speaking of interstates.  I am continually astounded by the number of absolute idiots who will not move out of the left lane when there is a faster vehicle behind them.

Guilty. I can't stand when some dipsh*t is blazing down the left lane and flashes their lights at me. At that point I ain't moving over no matter what. 

[DCMetroRaleigh]

I generally stay to the right unless passing. However, if I’m in the left and someone is behind me going well over the speed limit, I will not budge. Someone driving recklessly over the speed limit is the problem, not me. They are not gonna bully me.

[CLTranspo]

By digging your feet in and trying to teach some random stranger a lesson (to slow down) you're making the roadway less safe for everyone. Now that person will most likely pass you on the right and weave around other traffic in a more dangerous way than if you just moved over since you are slower traffic.

[DCMetroRaleigh]

2 hours ago, CLTranspo said:

By digging your feet in and trying to teach some random stranger a lesson (to slow down) you're making the roadway less safe for everyone. Now that person will most likely pass you on the right and weave around other traffic in a more dangerous way than if you just moved over since you are slower traffic.

So be it 

[nicholas]

11 hours ago, CLTranspo said:

By digging your feet in and trying to teach some random stranger a lesson (to slow down) you're making the roadway less safe for everyone. Now that person will most likely pass you on the right and weave around other traffic in a more dangerous way than if you just moved over since you are slower traffic.

Exactly.  The couple of self-righteous idiots in this thread need to get off their fantasy land high horses and move over to the far right lane, and stay there.  Not only are they intentionally making the roads more dangerous for everyone, they are also breaking another law to do it as it is illegal to impede traffic in the left lane in NC.

[Crucial_Infra]

16 hours ago, DCMetroRaleigh said:

I generally stay to the right unless passing. However, if I’m in the left and someone is behind me going well over the speed limit, I will not budge. Someone driving recklessly over the speed limit is the problem, not me. They are not gonna bully me.

Sorry but if you don’t move over, you are the problem. It’s important to recognize that when someone flies up behind you, you have no idea why they are speeding. Sure, they could just be a reckless jerk but it also could be someone having an emergency, on their way to the hospital! Point is, you don’t know, so move over. 

Edit add add:, I used to work in traffic safety for AAA Carolinas so I have some expertise but it’s really just common sense, people. 

Edited October 21, 2023 by Crucial_Infra

[Windsurfer]

6 hours ago, Crucial_Infra said:

Sorry but if you don’t move over, you are the problem. It’s important to recognize that when someone flies up behind you, you have no idea why they are speeding. Sure, they could just be a reckless jerk but it also could be someone having an emergency, on their way to the hospital! Point is, you don’t know, so move over. 

Edit add add:, I used to work in traffic safety for AAA Carolinas so I have some expertise but it’s really just common sense, people. 

Shouldn't you  have on your emergency flashing lights if it's an emergency?

[davidclt]

4 hours ago, Windsurfer said:

Shouldn't you  have on your emergency flashing lights if it's an emergency?

I was taught you only use your flashers/hazards when you're stopped. I'm always dumbfounded when drivers are in motion with their hazard lights flashing.