If you are a big fan of trains then you might already know about this website. It contains all sorts of long and short-form videos and documentaries about all things trains; and we’re not just talking about transit trains. They have steam and freight and trains of all types and configurations. Even if you don’t sit in front of your computer wearing a Casey Jones Fan Club t-shirt it’s worth a look. Thanks to our friends at the Transportation Communication newsletter for bringing it to our attention.
+++++++++
This is interesting for those drivers who take issue with speed and red light cameras: NAVTEQ, one of the major digital mapping companies that supplies overlays for GPS navigation systems, will begin to include the location of the enforcement cameras in its maps. In its announcement the company says this will enable warning systems to assist users in complying with local traffic regulations. That seems like an interesting spin on providing a service that will allow drivers to avoid areas where the cameras are in place or to simply slow down knowing that there are cameras ahead. I am not a big fan of automated traffic enforcement cameras but it seems to me that this company might be taking things a little too far.
+++++++++
This Saturday is National Trails Day and the folks who have been building the new Woodrow Wilson Bridge are using that day to open something new. The pedestrian/bike trail as well as the Potomac River Waterfront Community Park will be dedicated. Officials from Maryland, Virginia and the District of Columbia will all be on hand to showcase these fine additions. Even Eric Gilliland, the Executive Director of the Washington Area Bicyclist Association will be there.
+++++++++
It’s not enough that the District’s Department of Transportation has its own website, or that it is hooked up with Twitter (the point of which continues to escape me) but now DDot has its own Facebook page. Officials there say its just another way for the agency to get information out to the public and to develop a rapport.
+++++++++
Our good friends at WRAP, the Washington Regional Alcohol Program, remind us that the summer months are the deadliest for teen drivers. They state that there are 50% more drunk driving deaths involving teens during the summer months than any other time of the year. These teens feel a great deal of freedom during the summer months because they don’t have all of the restrictions of school and studying and too many of them just let go. It’s up to all of us to talk to our kids about the dangers of drinking and driving and about the issues related to underage drinking by themselves. It’s a matter of life and death.
+++++++++
This may be old news for many of you but I wanted to share it anyway in case someone missed it: Virginia Railway Express (VRE) is now allowing full-sized bicycles on select trains (folding bikes are already allowed on all trains). VRE states that riders may bring bikes on the last three northbound morning trains, the mid-day train, and the last three southbound trains in the evening on both lines. There is storage space to keep bicycles safe during transport. There are some restrictions such as there being a limit of two bikes per car but all of that is detailed on VRE's website.
+++++++++
Locomotive photo: FactualTV
Wilson Bridge photo: City of Alexandria's LocalMotion
Steve Eldridge is a long-time reporter, observer and
commentator on the Washington region's transportation issues. You can
contact him directly by writing to: Steve@SprawlandCrawl.com.
Unless otherwise requested, letters or portions of letters can be used
within future columns. Letter writers will be identified by their first
name and city/neighborhood.
Comments