Monday, September 24, 2012

Pike Streetcar Accidents Would Cost $15-$20 Million Per Year

Hello,

A.Y. did a survey of streetcar systems and accidents around the United States and Canada. Yes, there are thousands of accidents involving streetcars and streetcar tracks and motor vehicles, bicycles, pedestrians, mopeds, scooters, and other 2-wheeled vehicles.

Based upon the types of accidents we found, it appears that accidents involving a Pike streetcar system would cost between $15 and $20 million per year for injuries and property damage.

It was disconcerting to find how expensive streetcar accidents are. Streetcars typically demolish subcompact autos. Streetcars seriously damage larger vehicles and often derail after impact. Bicyclists often suffer serious head trauma when their bicycles encounter streetcar tracks at speed.

Where was the discussion of the costs of streetcar accidents in the so-called 'alternatives analysis' of Pike transit options? Streetcars on the Pike would be by far the most costly transit option. Why is this option going forward?

Cindy

26 comments:

Anonymous said...

SUV involved in an accident with a streetcar. SUV totalled, streetcar derails. Total cost? $250,000? One accident.

Anonymous said...

Cost of one bicyclist hitting slippery tracks, being propelled off bicycle, hits head, wearing helmet, suffers concussion?

Anonymous said...

How much would litigation cost? How much would another heavy rescue unit and the firefighters needed to operate it cost?

Anonymous said...

Why do bicyclists almost all ride bicycles with thin tires?

Anonymous said...

Cost of an ART Bus loaded with passengers being hit by a streetcar full of passengers? Such as recently occurred in Toronto.

The Wizard of Zimm said...

Pay no attention to those gruesome photos of streetcar accidents posted on Arlington Yupette.

Anonymous said...

Where the 'community leaders' are going to be retiring there isn't any public transit of any kind.

Anonymous said...

Retirement? Long time County employees can't wait to retire. Read the news about the Arlington Public School System?

Anonymous said...

Yes, and they're retiring to places where "Smart Growth" will be nothing but an old nightmare.

Anonymous said...

Who will want to live in Arlington in 10 years? The local economy is based on the United States fighting wars in the Third World forever and upon a continues influx of economic refugees from economically depressed areas of the USA.

Anonymous said...

I'm outta the Arlington Government next year. Inherited my parents' home in the Rust Belt, have a 3-month timeshare for December, January, February in the Sun Belt. Last visit to the Rust Belt I saw a police officer arresting a Lance Armstrong wannabe for running a stop sign on his racing bike. Wanted to hug the cop. The developers control Arlington. Completely. They are constantly at the County Board offices and in meetings with planning, economic development, etc., staff. The County Board are a bunch of Ninny-Nannies and Libby Garvey is as bad or worse than Barbara Favola.

County Government gets more idiotic every week. Next Friday Frank O'Leary will be throwing his Car Tax Deadline festival. Any other County Treasurer in Virginia would be kicked out of office for pulling a stunt like that. His sidekick, the Commissioner of the Revenue, writes music at work.

I'm getting out before the bubble bursts; they don't think it will but the bubble will burst sooner than they think. They can't buy off the media forever,

Anonymous said...

"Anonymous said...

I'm outta the Arlington Government next year. Inherited my parents' home in the Rust Belt, have a 3-month timeshare for December, January, February in the Sun Belt. Last visit to the Rust Belt I saw a police officer arresting a Lance Armstrong wannabe for running a stop sign on his racing bike. Wanted to hug the cop. The developers control Arlington. Completely. They are constantly at the County Board offices and in meetings with planning, economic development, etc., staff. The County Board are a bunch of Ninny-Nannies and Libby Garvey is as bad or worse than Barbara Favola.

County Government gets more idiotic every week. Next Friday Frank O'Leary will be throwing his Car Tax Deadline festival. Any other County Treasurer in Virginia would be kicked out of office for pulling a stunt like that. His sidekick, the Commissioner of the Revenue, writes music at work.

I'm getting out before the bubble bursts; they don't think it will but the bubble will burst sooner than they think. They can't buy off the media forever."

Amen, amen, and amen! I've lived in Arlington all my life and for the past 15-20 years, it has become far too crowded and overdeveloped. Back in the day, the Board had a mix of moderate Republicans, moderate Democrats, with the occasional Independent. Back then, it was sensible and balanced. The people on the Board back then, regardless of Party, truly cared about ALL people living in Arlington. Those days are long gone. Sad. As soon as I can retire (10-12 years), I plan to move somewhere else. The personal property tax on my home alone takes a large hunk out of my bank accounts and I make decent money.

Anonymous said...

In 10-12 years "Smart Growth" will overwhelm suburban America. There is too much money to be made by allowing suburban neighborhoods to deteriorate then tearing them down and building upscale mixed-use apartments, condos, restaurants, retail, etc.

Anonymous said...

The yuptards ride bicycles with skinny tires because the working class minorities who provide the cheap labor and can't afford to own motor vehicles ride mountain bikes.

Anonymous said...

Speaking of development, what is going on with all the restaurants and retailers going out of business in the B-R Corridor?

County Government, Chamber of Commerce, BIDs, etc., aren't helping the old restaurants and retail, aren't helping the new restaurants and retail, what are they doing?

Anonymous said...

Festivals and Special Events, that's what they're doing. And holding continuous meetings with developers about totally urbanizing Arlington.

L O L said...

1997 - Free Range Dogs

2007 - Free Range Bicycles

2012 - Free Range Food Trucks

Anonymous said...

If the Pike becomes another Clarendon, how many intoxicated people would be hurt tripping over the tracks crossing the Pike to drink at another bar?

2100 visitor said...

Quality of Arlington Government is going from poor to pathetic. Every other person who works for the County is an on-the-job-retiree, many are counting the years, months, days until they can retire early.

Anonymous said...

Latest on-the-job-retirement activity is the U.S.S Arlington commissioning.

Anonymous said...

What is the U.S.S Arlington? Another in the fleet of U.S. World Police ships specially designed for the U.S. World Police Force.

Opie said...

Attention all 2100 Clarendon Blvd. Ninny-Nanny Decision Makers: Wall Street Journal reports today, October 1st, that Mayberry aka Mt. Airy NC has been gentrified into a tourist trap. Smart Growth is Everwhere. You can't escape.

Anonymous said...

Why did the Yuppie cross the road?

To get drunk at the bistro on the other side.

Anonymous said...

Bicycles are another Yuppie Icon that Yups worship.

Mike said...

Hi,

I'm from Portland.

Had an accident involving my bicycle and streetcar tracks.

Cost $19,000 so far, concussion and broken arm. I was wearing a helmet, which was cracked when I hit the pavement.

I will submit a narrative about my accident, treatment, recovery to your blog.

Anonymous said...

Simple fall off bicycle while moving slowly, broken arm, cost $3,200.