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Here’s an Idea: PRT to the Sea |
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Transportation Crisis
By Sara Epstein
We have heard a lot lately about transportation fixes in LA. In particular: the Subway to the Sea. A commuter system that would run under the Wilshire corridor from downtown to Santa Monica.
 LA already has … or has in the works … various shades of Metro lines and the Rapid Red bus system.
For the generation of Angelinos just getting on board, what’s missing is some idea of how these various projects came about and what was considered but rejected.
For example, the Rand Corporation put its think tank people together some 30 years ago to study and consider transportation solutions for LA. What they determined was that one of the reasons Los Angeles drivers aren’t turned on by public transportation is that they prefer to travel in their own space. As, in the space their cars provide when they’re commuting. The Rand folks concluded that Personal Rapid Transit … an automated, on rail, overhead transpo system that provides personal cars … or pods … that will take you anywhere in the city … in your own space.
All of this leads to the question: what other transportation system possibilities have been considered by LA’s planners … and rejected.
London is building a Personal Rapid Transit system as you read this. It’s an idea. Would it work for LA? Take a look and form your own opinion. Click here.
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