Portland's TriMet is giving away FX LEGO sets. It's not a train but it is public transit so I figure @amtrak-official will appreciate knowing about it.
Enter to win by September 30.
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Waka Kotahi orders new bendy buses for the Canterbury Region
Waka Kotahi, the New Zealand Transport Agency (NZTA), has recently made a groundbreaking move towards revolutionizing public transportation in the Canterbury Region. In a bid to enhance efficiency, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable travel, Waka Kotahi has placed an order for autonomous rapid transit buses from CRRC, a leading Chinese rail transportation equipment manufacturer. This decision marks a significant milestone in the country's transportation sector and paves the way for a future where autonomous vehicles play a pivotal role in shaping urban mobility.
New buses for the region
The Canterbury Region, located in the South Island of New Zealand, has been grappling with increasing traffic congestion and a growing demand for efficient public transportation. Recognizing the need for innovative solutions, Waka Kotahi has taken a bold step by embracing autonomous technology. The agency's partnership with CRRC signifies a commitment to exploring cutting-edge solutions that can address the region's transportation challenges.
Autonomous Rapid Transit: A choice for public transportation by bus
The autonomous rapid transit buses ordered from CRRC are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced sensors, artificial intelligence, and precise navigation systems. These buses are designed to operate without a human driver, relying on a network of sensors and cameras to navigate through traffic, detect obstacles, and ensure passenger safety. With the ability to communicate with traffic lights and other vehicles, these buses can optimize their routes, minimize delays, and provide a seamless travel experience for passengers.
Advantages
One of the key advantages of autonomous rapid transit buses is their potential to significantly reduce congestion on the roads. By operating on dedicated lanes or busways, these buses can bypass traffic and provide a faster and more reliable service. This not only improves the overall efficiency of the transportation system but also encourages more people to choose public transport over private vehicles, thereby reducing the number of cars on the road.
The deployment of autonomous rapid transit buses in the Canterbury Region is expected to have far-reaching impacts on various aspects of urban life. Beyond the immediate benefits of reduced congestion and improved air quality, these buses have the potential to reshape urban planning and development. With the ability to operate on dedicated lanes, these buses can influence the design of future infrastructure, encouraging the creation of pedestrian-friendly spaces and promoting active modes of transportation.
Furthermore, the introduction of autonomous buses opens up new opportunities for urban mobility services. Ride-sharing and on-demand transportation platforms can integrate autonomous buses into their fleets, providing convenient and flexible options for commuters. This integration can enhance the overall efficiency of the transportation system, reduce the need for private vehicle ownership, and create a more inclusive and accessible public transportation network.
A game changer for the region
Moreover, the introduction of autonomous buses aligns with New Zealand's commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. As these buses are powered by electric motors, they produce zero tailpipe emissions, contributing to cleaner air and a healthier environment. By transitioning to electric and autonomous public transportation, the Canterbury Region can make significant progress towards achieving its climate goals and creating a more sustainable future.
Partnership with CRRC
Waka Kotahi's decision to partner with CRRC reflects the agency's dedication to embracing innovation and staying at the forefront of technological advancements. CRRC, with its extensive experience in the rail transportation industry, brings a wealth of expertise to the table. The collaboration between Waka Kotahi and CRRC will not only facilitate the deployment of autonomous rapid transit buses but also foster knowledge exchange and promote the development of local talent in the field of autonomous transportation.
While the introduction of autonomous buses holds immense potential, it is crucial to address concerns regarding safety and public acceptance. Waka Kotahi, in collaboration with CRRC, will undertake rigorous testing and evaluation to ensure that these buses meet the highest safety standards. Additionally, public awareness campaigns and engagement initiatives will be crucial in building trust and acceptance among the community.
An environmental solution for Canterbury
As Waka Kotahi takes the lead in embracing autonomous technology, other regions in New Zealand and around the world are likely to follow suit. The success of this initiative in the Canterbury Region will serve as a blueprint for other cities and regions looking to transform their transportation systems. By harnessing the potential of autonomous vehicles, governments and transportation agencies can create a future where mobility is sustainable, efficient, and accessible to all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Waka Kotahi's order of autonomous rapid transit buses from CRRC marks a significant milestone in the Canterbury Region's transportation sector. This decision reflects a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and addressing the region's transportation challenges. With the potential to reduce congestion, improve air quality, and reshape urban planning, autonomous buses have the power to revolutionize public transportation in New Zealand and beyond. As the Canterbury Region paves the way for a future of autonomous mobility, the benefits of this transformative technology are set to ripple across the country, creating a more efficient, sustainable, and inclusive transportation network.
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@lovelylivelyv Omce called this "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles" and I feel that's fitting. I wanted to draw Bendy, his son Jack, and Dennis all playing together. Bendy with his train, Dennis with his bus, and I figured Jack would like the flying Heavenly Toy planes.
@black-ak9 @serial-serializednovelreader @hotelt-resurrection @deathfangirl9 @heartsong1994 @wingingfromthezing @kittyball23 @ebevkisk
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Blatantly Partisan Party Review XVI (Victoria 2022): Transport Matters Party
Prior review: VIC 2018
What I said before: “Transport Matters is not a party of public transport advocates, but an anti-Uber party that exists to air the grievances of the taxi industry.”
What I think this year: Hire-car operator Rod Barton co-founded Transport Matters in 2017 and managed to harvest preferences so astonishingly well that he won a seat in Eastern Metropolitan at the 2018 election off a meagre 0.62% of the vote. This came from the anti-democratic Group Ticket Voting system, siphoning preferences from people who voted 1 above the line for a dizzying array of minor parties. Almost all of these voters would not have distributed their references in the manner assigned to them by each party's group ticket had they been free to preference above the line in the manner of their choosing. A preference spiral like this is literally impossible when people control their preferences.
Honestly, as a member of the Legislative Council, Barton has not been too bad and his party possesses a reasonable spectrum of policies on transport and beyond. It is not a single-issue party any more, with non-transport policies generally being centre-left stuff. Barton, for instance, has been active in parliament on homelessness and wants to see a range of recommendations introduced to expand housing and support services. Health policies are mostly broad motherhood statements about more funding; policies for government transparency are similarly brief; workers’ rights goes little beyond regulating better conditions for gig economy workers (which would be great!). Gender equality policies are limited and strangely all about men. First Nations policies are supportive of Victoria’s current treaty process.
But let’s talk about transport, because this is the party’s ostensible reason for existence—and it also happens to be one of my professional areas of expertise. Frankly, Transport Matters is all over the place here. Regulating Uber and other rideshare apps remains their first policy and top priority. The policy on tolls is hyper-specific, it focuses principally on taxi drivers, and it lacks a big-picture approach to congestion charging. Transport Matters supports the Suburban Rail Loop, a project I also support (both because it will provide the cross-suburban PT capacity Melbourne badly needs and because it will stimulate new activity centres and less sprawling, more sustainable suburban densification in a manner no bus upgrade could). Their other policies for heavy rail contain supportive sentiments but nothing of substance.
Transport Matters want to expand the free tram zone, and I could write an entire book here but all I’m going to say is that this specific proposal is poorly conceived and draws on evidence from Estonia of a completely different policy (Transport Matters tries to justify a modest extension of the free tram zone’s boundary for all passengers by referring to findings from Tallinn making public transport free but only for residents). Worst, Transport Matters supports the complete fever dream that is “trackless trams”, specifically from Caulfield to Rowville. It is ridiculous to dress up a bendy bus so that it looks like a tram and to operate it on an over-spec’d busway that costs nearly as much as an actual tram but can’t come close to providing the capacity or energy efficiency of trams. It is very hard to consider anyone a credible thinker on transport if they fall for trackless tram nonsense.
My recommendation: Give Transport Matters a middling to decent preference. Remember to vote below the line on the large ballot for the Legislative Council so that your preference goes where you want it to go; all ballots with 5 or more preferences marked below the line are valid votes.
Website: https://www.transportmatters.org.au/
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The door slams open, and Swiss whoops as he steps into the dressing room, sitting down in the chair next to Aeon's. "You did great, stickbug!" he nearly shouts, and Aeon flinches back. If they weren't clinging tightly to their glamour, their ears would pin flat back to their head, tail thrashing behind them. They ignore him, focusing on getting their makeup off. The paint around their eyes is stubborn, and the skin there is delicate. Aeon squeaks as Swiss claps a hand between their shoulderblades.
"Stickbug?" they sputter, too stunned to elaborate.
Swiss laughs, the sound ringing in their already buzzing ears. "You're right in front of my platform most of the night," he crows. He doesn't move his hand from their back. It burns. "I was watching you, and you're all limbs, bendy, showing off how flexible you are. You look like a little stickbug when you're all perched up on the monitors."
Aeon swallows, offers Swiss a smile that they know comes off more as a grimace. They throw away the used makeup wipes, grab their duffle bag, and slip out of the dressing room. They're the first one on the bus, and they immediately retreat back to their bunk.
A little post-ritual Aeon sketch directly inspired by @coffeeghoulie’s wonderful Eternal Heatstroke! Actually I must insist that you go read it right now.
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