6 Nov 2010: SEQ: Zero time left to can congestion

[ozbob]

Media release 6 November 2010

SEQ:  Zero time left to can congestion

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has noted that the recent congestion statistics for South East Queensland released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads shows that the multi-billion dollar road investments have had little impact on congestion levels (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The improvement in traffic speeds of a solitary kilometre per hour is reason to question if the return on investment from the massive motorway and tunnel construction over the last 10 to 20 years is actually a success.  We are now seeing right in our own backyard what researchers and many Governments around the world have recognised for almost two decades.  Building more road space can and never will reduce congestion."

"If 20 years ago we had followed the lead of cities such as Vancouver, Vienna, Berlin or Copenhagen our city would have a truly "world-class" public and active transport network rather than the mess we have today.  RAIL Back On Track predicts that unless a complete about face in transport policy is adopted, South East Queensland is headed towards a very unsustainable future. As was highlighted in the forum initiated by the Minister for Transport and jointly hosted by the Brisbane Institute and the Australian Conservation Foundation held in Brisbane yesterday we have zero time left to act (2)."

"RAIL Back On Track calls on all levels of Government to take off their 'road coloured glasses' and accept that the only solution to our traffic woes is to:

1. halt the construction of any new motorway or tunnel road capacity immediately and immediately invest in a true sustainable transport future, and

2. establish meaningful sustainable transport mode targets in the Connecting SEQ 2031 plan for people and freight of a target at least 60-70% for all trips made by rail freight and public/active transport."

References:

1. Southeast Queensland motorists stuck at 40km/h in peak hour on clogged major roads - www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/motoring/southeast-queensland-motorists-stuck-at-40kmh-in-peak-hour-on-clogged-major-roads/story-e6frer6x-1225946372830

2. Queensland's sustainable transport future http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=72447

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Discussion thread --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=4790.0

[ozbob]

Follow up to all outlets:

13th November 2010

Greetings,

Time to 'bite the bullet!'

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2010/3061272.htm

Quote
Peak oil - the slow slide down

Oil production peaked in 2008. It has been in decline since. Kjell Aleklett says the reserves are there, but the flow is lower than in the past. Kjell Aleklett disputes predictions of The International Energy Association. He says the price spike in oil in July 2008 was the trigger for the Global Financial Crisis.

The transcript of this program will be available by Monday afternoon .

=======================

Best wishes
Robert

Media release 6 November 2010

SEQ:  Zero time left to can congestion

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has noted that the recent congestion statistics for South East Queensland released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads shows that the multi-billion dollar road investments have had little impact on congestion levels (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The improvement in traffic speeds of a solitary kilometre per hour is reason to question if the return on investment from the massive motorway and tunnel construction over the last 10 to 20 years is actually a success.  We are now seeing right in our own backyard what researchers and many Governments around the world have recognised for almost two decades.  Building more road space can and never will reduce congestion."

"If 20 years ago we had followed the lead of cities such as Vancouver, Vienna, Berlin or Copenhagen our city would have a truly "world-class" public and active transport network rather than the mess we have today.  RAIL Back On Track predicts that unless a complete about face in transport policy is adopted, South East Queensland is headed towards a very unsustainable future. As was highlighted in the forum initiated by the Minister for Transport and jointly hosted by the Brisbane Institute and the Australian Conservation Foundation held in Brisbane yesterday we have zero time left to act (2)."

"RAIL Back On Track calls on all levels of Government to take off their 'road coloured glasses' and accept that the only solution to our traffic woes is to:

1. halt the construction of any new motorway or tunnel road capacity immediately and immediately invest in a true sustainable transport future, and

2. establish meaningful sustainable transport mode targets in the Connecting SEQ 2031 plan for people and freight of a target at least 60-70% for all trips made by rail freight and public/active transport."


References:

1. Southeast Queensland motorists stuck at 40km/h in peak hour on clogged major roads - www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/motoring/southeast-queensland-motorists-stuck-at-40kmh-in-peak-hour-on-clogged-major-roads/story-e6frer6x-1225946372830

2. Queensland's sustainable transport future http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=72447

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]

Sent to all outlets:

15 November 2010

Greetings,

There is a simple, sustainable solution to fixing Kingsford Smith Drive and positioning the new developments at North Shore Hamilton.

There is a railway line already there .  Extend a branch underneath Kingsford Smith Drive via a cutting into the new developments.  Frequent, low impact sustainable commuter rail services would then be achieved, independent of any road problems and fuel price issues.  This would then make the developments achievable.

Why the 'road coloured' glasses?  Time to take them off and move with the rest of the world.

Best wishes
Robert

Reference:

http://www.couriermail.com.au/property/northshore-hamilton-affordable-housing-development-to-choke-kingsford-smith-drive/story-e6frequ6-1225953459721

Greetings,

Time to 'bite the bullet!'

http://www.abc.net.au/rn/scienceshow/stories/2010/3061272.htm

Quote
Peak oil - the slow slide down

Oil production peaked in 2008. It has been in decline since. Kjell Aleklett says the reserves are there, but the flow is lower than in the past. Kjell Aleklett disputes predictions of The International Energy Association. He says the price spike in oil in July 2008 was the trigger for the Global Financial Crisis.

The transcript of this program will be available by Monday afternoon .

=======================

Best wishes
Robert


On 6/11/2010 4:06 AM, RAIL Back On Track Admin wrote:
Media release 6 November 2010

SEQ:  Zero time left to can congestion

RAIL Back On Track (http://backontrack.org) a web based community support group for rail and public transport and an advocate for public transport commuters has noted that the recent congestion statistics for South East Queensland released by the Department of Transport and Main Roads shows that the multi-billion dollar road investments have had little impact on congestion levels (1).

Robert Dow, Spokesman for RAIL Back On Track said:

"The improvement in traffic speeds of a solitary kilometre per hour is reason to question if the return on investment from the massive motorway and tunnel construction over the last 10 to 20 years is actually a success.  We are now seeing right in our own backyard what researchers and many Governments around the world have recognised for almost two decades.  Building more road space can and never will reduce congestion."

"If 20 years ago we had followed the lead of cities such as Vancouver, Vienna, Berlin or Copenhagen our city would have a truly "world-class" public and active transport network rather than the mess we have today.  RAIL Back On Track predicts that unless a complete about face in transport policy is adopted, South East Queensland is headed towards a very unsustainable future. As was highlighted in the forum initiated by the Minister for Transport and jointly hosted by the Brisbane Institute and the Australian Conservation Foundation held in Brisbane yesterday we have zero time left to act (2)."

"RAIL Back On Track calls on all levels of Government to take off their 'road coloured glasses' and accept that the only solution to our traffic woes is to:

1. halt the construction of any new motorway or tunnel road capacity immediately and immediately invest in a true sustainable transport future, and

2. establish meaningful sustainable transport mode targets in the Connecting SEQ 2031 plan for people and freight of a target at least 60-70% for all trips made by rail freight and public/active transport."


References:

1. Southeast Queensland motorists stuck at 40km/h in peak hour on clogged major roads - www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/motoring/southeast-queensland-motorists-stuck-at-40kmh-in-peak-hour-on-clogged-major-roads/story-e6frer6x-1225946372830

2. Queensland's sustainable transport future http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=72447

Contact:

Robert Dow
Administration
admin@backontrack.org

[ozbob]