Traffic idea is so good, it's totally HOT0

• May 18, 2003

For the Boulder Daily Camera

Tired of being stuck in traffic? Would you believe me if I told you I could guarantee a highway lane that is always congestion-free? If there were such a lane, would you pay a buck to ride on it?
In a few years you’ll have that lane.

RTD Striking Out; Batting Zero0

• May 8, 2003

As the possibility of a strike grew nearer, stronger threats against the Regional Transportation District union were made: contracts with private companies might weaken discipline, or break the unruly union. RTD union members missed an opportunity to declare independence. The RTD Board lost an opportunity to increase service and lower cost.

Bus strike? Go ahead, make our day0

• March 2, 2003

The Regional Transportation District, claiming it’s out of cash, is cutting bus service throughout the district. Of course, RTD wouldn’t cut service unless it was a last resort. Passengers are RTD’s most valued assets.

Transportation Choice: Politics Versus Morality0

• February 19, 2003

The cost of traffic congestion exceeds the cost to eliminate it.

An ongoing project of the Texas Transportation Institute estimates traffic congestion annually. TTI calculated the cost to the U.S. economy at $68 billion in 2000. Because the cost is growing faster than the population, congestion is making Americans worse off. This is more than enough money to add an additional lane to every interstate highway in the United States in each direction. Less extreme proposals could instantly eliminate all traffic congestion. The reason traffic congestion exists is political.

Finding fault with no-fault auto-insurance mandates0

• August 27, 2002

Im trying to prepare myself now so I wont become nauseous when my car insurance renewal notice arrives in October. Thats because the already high auto-insurance rates in Colorado are going even farther up. Its gotten to the point where some people can barely afford to drive, according to Carole Walker of Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. She says rate increases are averaging 15-20 percent, to double the national average. This is in a state that already has the 13th costliest auto insurance rates in the nation.

Of Rail, Lying And Lemons0

• August 8, 2002

It’s the same story over and over. Transit districts ask the voters to approve taxes to build expensive rail systems. The voters consent, and get half of what they bargained for — the tax. As for the promised rail system, it almost always turns out that there just isn’t enough money to deliver on the promises.