The Digital Wormhole @ TRP

The extreme height restrictions meant that the 91.74 m or 301 foot building is even shorter than 8 King East. And even shorter than the Old_City_Hall_in_Toronto, which is 103.64 m (340.0 ft).

Yet, the land & living costs in small minded Vancouver keep getting higher. Fortunately, Toronto & HK will never be Vancouverized, as most cities are allowed to be on a much grander scale than what is permitted in small-minded backwater BC.

Friday, March 8, 2024

Why is the Yarra River so brown?

https://www.timeout.com/melbourne/news/why-is-the-yarra-river-so-brown-we-asked-an-expert-030824

Well, Chicago will have a green river on the 17th.

https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/when-the-chicago-river-will-be-dyed-green-for-st-patricks-day-and-how-its-done/3347247/

https://www.enjoyillinois.com/travel-illinois/the-history-of-chicago-river-dyeing

California Forever releases a new map of a proposed Bay Area utopian city

https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/california-forever-new-map-bay-area-city-18709651.php

California_Forever could be a good thing, as long as it doesn't become a smart city trap.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/03/08/california-forever-releases-new-renderings-cable-ad/

https://www.kron4.com/news/california-forever-releases-aerial-rendering-of-proposed-solano-county-community/

https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/vision-for-new-affordable-city-in-california-meets-skepticism-from-locals

https://calmatters.org/economy/2024/02/california-forever-promises/

https://www.fastcompany.com/91015457/the-real-problem-with-california-forever-the-bay-areas-new-billionaire-backed-city

https://californiaforever.com

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=smart+city

The rent in Vancouver is more than double the Edmonton rates

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/asking-rent-vancouver-march-2024-rentals

Thursday, March 7, 2024

Renovation planned for Nat Bailey Stadium in Vancouver

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/nat-bailey-stadium-vancouver-renovations

https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/dan-fumano-nat-bailey-stadium-set-for-20-million-upgrade-city-memo-says

https://parkboardmeetings.vancouver.ca/files/MEMO-NatBaileyFacilityImprovements-20240202.pdf

https://theprovince.com/sports/baseball/vancouver-canadians-upgrades-to-nat-bailey-stadium-slated-to-begin-this-winter It really takes a long time to get things done in Vancouver.

https://ballparkdigest.com/2020/03/13/planned-nat-bailey-stadium-upgrades-stalled-by-audit/

Could Nat_Bailey_Stadium ever undergo an extensive expansion? That remains to be seen.

"The stadium's seating capacity is 6,500 and as of 2019 they led the short-season A clubs in attendance and outdrew Vancouver's AAA team." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nat_Bailey_Stadium#Stadium_history

Perhaps the baseball stadium in Winnipeg is in a better setting. It certainly has a little more capacity than NBS.

Theirs is in Downtown_Winnipeg, right by the Red River. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Downtown_Winnipeg#Broadway-Assiniboine

"Blue_Cross_Park opened on May 24, 1999."

"Blue Cross Park has a seating capacity of 7,481, as well as 30 luxury skysuites, a picnic area, and an open patio overlooking the field from the right field corner." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_Cross_Park#Features

Of course Seattle has a big-time baseball stadium.

Capacity	Baseball: 47,929

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T-Mobile_Park

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oracle_Park Having a baseball stadium near the water doesn't effect the game, one way or another. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oakland_Coliseum However, a baseball stadium next to a river, the ocean or a lake, just might add to the overall setting. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rogers_Centre

Sunday, March 3, 2024

City Skylines and Cultural Identity: The Intersection of Design and Heritage

https://www.re-thinkingthefuture.com/architectural-community/a12193-city-skylines-and-cultural-identity-the-intersection-of-design-and-heritage/

San Diego's Historic Gaslamp Quarter

https://www.sandiego.org/articles/downtown/historic-gaslamp-quarter.aspx

The Gaslamp+Quarter is quite a nice interesting and entertaining part of the city.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslamp_Quarter,_San_Diego

https://www.sandiego.org/articles/downtown/gaslamp-10-fun-facts.aspx

https://www.sandiego.org/explore/downtown-urban/downtown.aspx

https://gaslamp.org/listings/map/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gaslamp_Quarter_station

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Diego_Trolley#Lines

Friday, March 1, 2024

Latest costs for FIFA World Cup in Vancouver hidden by non-disclosure agreements

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/latest-costs-for-fifa-world-cup-in-vancouver-hidden-by-non-disclosure-agreements-1.6791500

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2024/03/01/bc-2026-fifa-world-cup-funding-questions/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_2026_FIFA_World_Cup_bid#Canada

85-storey skyscraper about to launch into Toronto skyline

https://dailyhive.com/toronto/383-yonge-street-skyscraper-toronto

Mayor Chow ‘saddled’ with making World Cup successful despite ballooning costs for Toronto

https://toronto.citynews.ca/2024/02/29/mayor-chow-saddled-with-making-world-cup-successful-despite-ballooning-costs/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/chow-world-cup-costs-1.7129827

https://www.blogto.com/sports_play/2024/02/costs-toronto-host-fifa-world-cup-games-rising/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_2026_FIFA_World_Cup_bid#Canada

Thursday, February 29, 2024

Emerald City Comic Con

https://www.emeraldcitycomiccon.com/

https://seattleconventioncenter.com/

https://seattleconventioncenter.com/venues/summit-addition Quite a very nice new building for Seattle.

https://visitseattle.org/meeting-professionals/convention-center/summit-overview/

https://www.arup.com/projects/seattle-convention-center-summit-building

https://crosscut.com/culture/2023/01/seattles-new-convention-center-features-775m-local-art

NYC’s $15 congestion pricing toll

https://nypost.com/us-news/nyc-congestion-pricing-toll-what-to-know/

https://nypost.com/2024/02/29/us-news/heres-what-new-yorkers-think-about-the-controversial-15-congestion-pricing-toll-as-mta-opens-public-hearings/

Too costly to drive, take the train, but it might cost you your life.

https://nypost.com/2024/02/22/opinion/the-mta-has-a-crime-epidemic-that-robots-cant-even-fix

Of course more police and increased security overall, can make a big difference.

What's going on at The One, Toronto's troubled $2-billion mega-tower?

https://financialpost.com/real-estate/the-one-toronto-troubled-2-billion-mega-tower

Looks like its going to be a fine tower, if it ever gets completed.

https://streetsoftoronto.com/why-are-some-toronto-homeowners-paying-less-tax/

https://www.thestar.com/business/mizrahi-pushed-out-of-the-one-skyscraper-development-inside-details-of-what-he-told-employees/article_b5d4a16c-d50b-11ee-a3dc-2fec3209e8e6.html

https://storeys.com/mizrahi-forced-out-the-one/

https://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/one.5048

https://www.gta-homes.com/real-insights/news/the-one-condo-goes-into-receivership-whats-next/

https://www.blogto.com/real-estate-toronto/2023/10/company-takes-over-torontos-one-tower/

NYC subway violence surge comes after police patrols plummeted to levels not seen since de Blasio administration

https://nypost.com/2024/02/28/us-news/nyc-subway-violence-surge-came-after-police-patrols-plummeted-to-levels-not-seen-since-de-blasio-administration/

Any train system can be made to be safer, if there are enough police & security people around.

https://nypost.com/2024/02/20/us-news/nyc-subway-crime-jumps-by-nearly-20-this-year-compared-to-2023-data-shows/

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Pinnacle One Yonge, Toronto

https://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/pinnacle-one-yonge.6918

Height	345 m (1,131 ft) 307 m (1,006 ft) 217 m (712 ft)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinnacle_One_Yonge The first building in Canada to reach or exceed 100 stories.

https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/country/canada

The One at Yonge and Bloor in Toronto

https://www.blogto.com/real-estate-toronto/2024/02/the-one-yonge-bloor-mizrahi-toronto/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_(Toronto)#Receivership

https://urbantoronto.ca/database/projects/one.5048

At 328.4 metres (1,077 feet)^[1]^[4] and 91 storeys,^[5] it will be taller than First Canadian Place, which has been Canada's tallest building since 1975. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_One_(Toronto)

Despite being a little shorter, a tower in Melbourne has more levels than The One in Toronto.

It's almost like there is a different set of physics for Canada vs. the rest of the planet. Not just NYC & Chicago, but Melbourne would have its first residential tower of at least 100 floors before Toronto.

"...development project consists of a 316.7-metre-tall (1,039 ft) apartment building with 1,105 apartments over 100 floors." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_108

HEIGHT

To Tip:

318.7 m / 1,046 ft

Architectural:

316.7 m / 1,039 ft

Occupied:

312.4 m / 1,025 ft

https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/melbourne/australia-108/14817/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australia_108#Planning,_design,_and_approval

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_tallest_buildings_in_Melbourne#Overall

https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/country/australia

https://www.skyscrapercenter.com/country/canada

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

The UK could face blackouts by 2028 as delays to the delivery of a major nuclear power station continue

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1871416/urgent-blackout-warning-power-cuts-french-project

The Bakerloo line extension

https://www.londonworld.com/news/traffic-and-travel/tfl-bakerloo-line-extension-construction-boris-johnson-sadiq-khan-4532715

https://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/1869126/600m-London-Underground-Bakerloo-line-plan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakerloo_line , https://tfl.gov.uk/tube/route/bakerloo/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakerloo_line#Future_developments

https://www.londontubemap.org/en-1-Bakerloo-line-map.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bakerloo_line#Future_rolling_stock

https://londonist.com/london/history/a-brief-history-of-the-bakerloo-line

https://www.ltmuseum.co.uk/collections/stories/transport/bakerloo-line

NYC congestion pricing will spike tolls for bus operator

https://nypost.com/2024/02/26/business/hampton-jitney-warns-of-cost-hikes-when-nyc-congestion-pricing-takes-effect/

Public & private high occupancy vehicles should be encouraged, not taxed.

https://nypost.com/2024/02/25/us-news/private-bus-operator-shocked-they-wont-be-exempt-from-nycs-congestion-toll-plan-part-of-the-solution/

The Décarie Expressway or Autoroute Décarie in Montreal

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quebec_Autoroute_15#Decarie_Autoroute

There should have been a provision on this Autoroute for a bus & HOV lane. While there is an emergency lane on each side, it looks like its not quite the width for a standard lane.

https://www.montrealroads.com/roads/decarie/

https://globalnews.ca/tag/decarie-expressway/

The Slow and Steady Death of the Gowanus Expressway in NYC

https://www.thedrive.com/vintage/2920/the-slow-and-steady-death-of-the-gowanus-expressway

Of course several highways & freeways built between the 1940s & 1970s were bulldozed through neighborhoods.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_278#Gowanus_Expressway

One would be hard-pressed to find such expressways that were bulldozed through upper middle-class or wealthy neighborhoods.

http://www.nycroads.com/roads/gowanus , https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_278

In a lot of cases, urban highways could have been built above or beside railway corridors or through industrial areas.

https://michaelminn.net/newyork/areas/sunset-park-waterfront/gowanus-expressway/index.html

However, there would still have to be arterial roads & streets connecting to the various expressways or motorways.

https://www.dot.ny.gov/regional-offices/region11/projects/project-repository/gowanus/about.html

The Go wasn't designed to have bus & HOV lanes.

https://www.dot.ny.gov/content/delivery/region11/projects/X73081-Home/construction

A lot of it doesn't even have full width emergency lanes, which could have become bus lanes.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Interstate_278

https://www.eastcoastroads.com/states/ny/inter/i278

Monday, February 26, 2024

Sydney, One of world's most beautiful cities getting 46 new stations as £15.7bn splashed on trains

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1870994/world-most-beautiful-cities-46-new-stations-15-7bn-trains

The Scene on Some of England's Worst Streets

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U0wQPMwvVc , https://www.youtube.com/@baldandbankrupt/videos

There used to be various film clips & TV spots in the 1960s & 70s depicting the 21st century as a fine & dandy time. No serious issues or problems, because everything was going to be out-of-sight, but it all just turned into SHITE!

https://www.churchillsupportservices.com/resources/news-insights/most-dangerous-areas-in-england-and-wales-2023/

No significant amount of unemployment or crime.

https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/23544336/britains-most-dangerous-street-slade-road-birmingham/

No obvious signs of poverty & homelessness.

https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/property/778970/crime-report-residential-street

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/inside-britains-worst-street-dubbed-13894350

The year 2000 & 24 years on, some people would like to give WW3 a try.

https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1871190/ww3-vladimir-putin-russia-nato-war

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/travel/destinations/10-safest-countries-to-live-in-if-world-war-iii-happens/photostory/107912785.cms

Thursday, February 22, 2024

When will A.I. be flying a plane full of passengers?

https://interestingengineering.com/transportation/when-ai-flying-passenger-planes

It would always be good to never totally eliminate the human factor.

https://www.aviationfile.com/will-ai-replace-pilots-examining-the-future-of-aviation

An A.I. pilot or control system would be ideal for dangerous missions and tasks...

https://www.forbes.com/sites/marisagarcia/2023/11/06/artificial-intelligence-wont-fly-planes-but-will-make-flying-better/?sh=69eb171634ac

https://www.futureflight.aero/news-article/2023-05-20/how-artificial-intelligence-could-completely-reshape-aircraft-future

https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2023-06-14/beyond-automation-how-ai-transforming-aviation

https://simpleflying.com/aviation-future-ai-uses-list

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=AI

The Time Paradox

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwSzpaTHyS8

Time is linked to space, energy and data.

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=The+Paradox+of+Time

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Simulation+Theory

Star Trek: 10 Best Holodeck Episodes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-AXcBGGQyHY

Star Trek TNG -- The Holodeck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy5DAxGhV_c

Hidden Tech of the Holodeck https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dafUcwyC6vM

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Simulation+Theory

OpenAI's "World Simulator" SHOCKS The Entire Industry | Simulation Theory Proven?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH9FU7Gd6v8

https://openai.com/sora#capabilities

In 1999 people got to watch The_Matrix & The_Thirteenth_Floor & ponder what it might be like to be in some kind of a very advanced simulation.

The Holodeck concept in the Star Trek universe is essentially a VR and AR interactive projection room. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Holodeck#Depiction

https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Holodeck

https://gamerant.com/star-trek-how-does-holodeck-technology-work/

https://openai.com/research/video-generation-models-as-world-simulators

New Evidence For The Simulation Hypothesis? Donald Hoffman on The Simulation Argument https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhAgpq26Noc

We Live in a Simulation. The evidence is everywhere. All you have to do is look. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wMhXxZ1zNM

Humans are detached from reality | Donald Hoffman and Lex Fridman https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nM_FOUCpJ3I

Do we see reality as it is? | Donald Hoffman | TED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYp5XuGYqqY

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=The+Simulation+Hypothesis

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Simulation+Theory

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=TSH

Wednesday, February 21, 2024

San Diego’s historic Chinatown

https://coolsandiegosights.com/2015/12/03/cool-sights-in-san-diegos-historic-chinatown/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asian_Pacific_Thematic_Historic_District , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tc8h0zkApgk

https://www.sandiego.org/members/history-and-heritage/san-diego-chinese-historical-society-and-museum.aspx

https://www.sandiego.org/articles/downtown/gaslamp-10-fun-facts.aspx

https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/6e65b313a36a49c8b6bbf30fde342958

https://gaslamp.org/news/tour-san-diego-chinese-historical-museum/

https://gaslamp.org/listings/map/

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

How John Cusack became sci-fi TV's next great villain in UTOPIA

https://www.inverse.com/entertainment/john-cusack-amazon-utopia-question

The mad scientist with a global plan of utopia.

https://utopiatv.fandom.com/wiki/Mr._Rabbit

https://utopiatv.fandom.com/wiki/Janus

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=utopia

A 6th Generation Fighter Jet Is On US Aircraft Carrier!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nxkPD-JcMJs

Globally prominent technology centers

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_technology_centers#Globally_prominent_clusters

Despite more people working from home, there is still a need for various tech offices & factories...

https://siteselection.com/issues/2024/jan/24-for-24.cfm

https://www.sovtech.com/blog/worlds-biggest-tech-hubs

https://www.fullstackacademy.com/blog/top-cities-for-tech-roles

https://www.wearedevelopers.com/magazine/best-cities-for-tech-jobs

https://www.visualcapitalist.com/biggest-tech-talent-hubs-in-us-canada/

https://dealroom.co/guides/top-tech-ecosystems

Hardware, because it's not just about software. Unfortunately, automation will gradually continue to reduce jobs for people.

Monday, February 19, 2024

Eiffel Tower closes as staff go on strike

https://www.lemonde.fr/en/france/article/2024/02/19/eiffel-tower-closes-as-staff-go-on-strike_6539005_7.html

https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20240219-strike-closes-eiffel-tower-again-as-staff-denounce-paris-financial-management

https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20240219-eiffel-tower-closes-as-staff-go-on-strike

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower#Transport

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower#Taller_structures

Vancouver faces hotel shortage ahead of 2026 World Cup

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/vancouver-hotel-shortage-2026-world-cup-1.7117696

The city has failed in attracting many more hotels over the decades.

https://vancouver.citynews.ca/2023/09/08/vancouver-hotels-shortage-city-councillor/

With so many strict & extremely limiting building restrictions, Vancouver has made it tougher for more hotels to set up shop in the city. A 30-40 story hotel with 30-40 condominium floors above that would provide a great incentive for more hotels to be built.

Unfortunately, there has been a strong, KEEP VANCOUVER SMALL agenda for several decades.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/seattle-vancover-tourism-infrastructure-facilities-economy-strengths Fortunatly, Seattle isn't under any of the Vancouver type restrictions & limitations.

www.seattletimes.com/business/as-seattle-area-keeps-building-hotels-there-soon-may-be-too-much-room-at-the-inn If only BC had such an issue, but it's the total opposite in Vancouver.

https://www.costar.com/article/1967732614/seattle-experiences-influx-of-hotel-rooms-in-construction

https://www.king5.com/article/news/local/seattle/downtown-seattle-hotels-occupancy-nearing-pre-pandemic-levels/281-fffc5a41-8145-46f4-a375-f90384c34158

"As of 2022, Metro Vancouver has a hotel supply of 23,292 rooms across 163 properties, including 13,290 rooms in 78 properties within the City of Vancouver." https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/metro-vancouver-hotel-supply-shortage-demand

Hotel rooms available in Downtown Seattle: 14,861
Hotel rooms available in King County: 43,490

https://visitseattle.org/press/press-kit/seattle-facts

Seattle like Calgary, Toronto & Montreal, have a think big & plan ahead mentality, which Vancouver continues to avoid.

https://versus.com/en/seattle-vs-vancouver

Sunday, February 18, 2024

Paris in the Twentieth Century and Alphaville

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_in_the_Twentieth_Century It was written in 1863 & set in the year 1960. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paris_in_the_Twentieth_Century#Predictions_for_1960

In the early 1860s, JV wrote about 300 m towers in a future Paris. However, it would take until the 1880s for Paris to have its first 1000 foot tower.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emile_Nouguier#Contribution_to_the_Eiffel_Tower

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Koechlin#Major_designs

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Sauvestre#Career

Alphaville was released in 1965 & is a cautionary story about the totalitarian Alpha 60, a sentient computer system running the city. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alphaville_(film)#Production

Smart cities might not be such a bright idea https://www.ft.com/content/9039f4de-cec8-11e7-947e-f1ea5435bcc7

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/337109.Paris_in_the_Twentieth_Century

https://lithub.com/on-the-1863-novel-that-predicted-the-internet-cars-skyscrapers-and-electronic-dance-music

The Eiffel_Tower isn't just a symbolic icon for Paris, but France, overall. It will always be known as the first 100 m tower in France.

Height
Architectural	300 m (984 ft)^[1]
Tip	330 m (1,083 ft)
Top floor	276 m (906 ft)^[1]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower#History

https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/explore , https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/the-monument

https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/explore/top

https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/history-and-culture/everything-you-need-know-about-eiffel-tower-night

https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/the-monument/key-figures

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower#Transport

https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/eiffel-tower-grows-six-metres-after-new-antenna-attached-2022-03-15/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eiffel_Tower#Taller_structures

Open AI's SECRET AGI Breakthrough Has Everyone STUNNED! (SORAS Secret Breakthrough!)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Xv6uSeXbJ4

AGI Before 2026? Sam Altman & Max Tegmark on Humanity's Greatest Challenge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gFQvL3KVaOQ

What Is Q*? The Leaked AGI BREAKTHROUGH That Almost Killed OpenAI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6E41eXStsU

Intelligent Thinking About Artificial Intelligence https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=caepEUi2IZ4

Jaron Lanier Looks into AI's Future https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8vU9QtcMZw

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=AI

The Post Building in downtown Vancouver

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-post-vancouver-amazon-loblaws-city-market-quadreal

Once again something that might be considered to be huge in Vancouver is average or a small size in many other cities.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/the-post-amazon-vancouver-redevelopment-construction-update

https://storeys.com/quadreal-graeme-scott-the-post-vancouver-heritage-revitalization-amazon/

The Chicago ‘L’ Train

https://interactive.wttw.com/chicago-by-l/sidetracks/history-l

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_L

https://interactive.wttw.com/chicago-by-l/sidetracks/how-cta-map-got-its-colors

https://www.transitchicago.com/rpm/

https://www.chicagomag.com/city-life/may-2019/once-and-for-all-is-it-the-chicago-el-el-l-or-l

Of course Paris & several other cities have elevated metro train lines, as well.

https://www.toureiffel.paris/en/news/visit/bir-hakeim-station-closed

Canadians mad that feds will no longer fund road expansion projects for cars

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/canadians-mad-feds-not-funding-road-expansion-for-cars

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autoroutes_of_Quebec#History

https://www.montrealroads.com/roads/montreal-island/

https://dailyhive.com/montreal/canadians-mad-feds-not-funding-road-expansion-for-cars

https://mobilitymontreal.gouv.qc.ca/network-condition/traffic/

https://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1143950/kilometres-autoroutes-quebec-troisieme-lien

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vU0USZnglAs

https://www.quebecurbain.qc.ca/2010/08/30/le-reseau-demesure-dautoroutes-inachevees-de-quebec/

Emerging Technologies That Will Change The World

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzMiJFOa6w8

https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/future-technology-22-ideas-about-to-change-our-world

https://www.simplilearn.com/top-technology-trends-and-jobs-article

Saturday, February 17, 2024

Has the shine come off the Vision Pro?

https://www.theverge.com/24074795/vision-pro-returns-xbox-future-gemini-open-ai-vergecast

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Vision+Pro

Some of the best bike paths around the world

https://www.bookmundi.com/ng/best-bike-trails-around-the-world

https://www.architecturaldigest.com/gallery/most-scenic-bike-routes-in-the-world

https://www.exploreworldwide.ca/blog/most-picturesque-cycle-routes

https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/20-worlds-best-cycling-routes-thatll-take-your-breath-away.html

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/advice/best-bike-rides-in-the-world/

https://www.mountainbikeworldwide.com/travel-inspiration/our-top-10-mountain-bike-trails-around-the-world

https://www.outsideonline.com/adventure-travel/advice/what-are-best-bike-commuting-cities-country/

https://factual-consulting.com/biking-to-work-most-beautiful-urban-bike-lanes

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/vancouver-sfu-burnaby-cycling-connection-route-project

"Despite having some of the best bicycling infrastructure in Canada, Vancouver has a relatively low 2021 City Ratings score of 47, meaning it still has a way to go when it comes to improving safety and access." https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/five-great-canadian-bike-cities

https://bikehub.ca/about-us/news/10-great-bike-commuting-routes-in-metro-vancouver

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=bike+bridges

New Westminster, BC

Unfortunately, the little river city of New+Westminster never saw itself as having the same potential as Portland, Oregon. NW eventually went from being a backwater BC capital to becoming part of the Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area. Unlike Portland, it has always been reluctant towards having wide train & road bridges.

The SkyBridge should have been multimodal like the fantastic Tilikum+Crossing in Portland.

https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pattullo-bridge-surrey-board-of-trade Of course the new PB won't have a furture provision for bus & rail on a 2nd deck.

Friday, February 16, 2024

the Empty Skyscraper Problem

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI4jf5FAitk

Evolution of the Toronto Subway 1954-2030s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRpRxT9s--I

How to Fix Toronto’s (Mostly) Useless Subway Line: The Sheppard Subway https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv0oWk_OVok

Why Toronto Removed a Subway Line... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvwmiSU7zLY

No Federal funding for new roads in Canada?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GxFAmoOUoYw

Canada’s environment minister ignites uproar with comments about funding new roads https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ZCN5tmnNz8

How Toronto Got Addicted to Cars https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkO-DttA9ew

This rail connection could change the SF Bay Area

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4tGsiMXD4UI

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_Bay_Area#Transportation

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_the_San_Francisco_Bay_Area#Public_transportation

How Sydney’s new Metro West line could transform the city

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zUlOZm-CDU

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Australia

Transperth and WA

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transperth Unlike the BC approach, WA allows for longer trains, as well as many lanes. Why just have a 3 coach train when you can have a train consisting of 6 carriages?

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ef/Transperth_B-series_train_on_the_Mandurah_Line_in_Como,_Western_Australia,_March_2022_05 4 lanes each way with 2 tracks in the middle. One would be hard-pressed to find something similar in or around Vancouver, BC. V-BC infrastructure is all about short trains & narrow roads.

Perth, Calgary & Seattle, 8 lanes & 2 tracks, but not in Greater Vancouver.

Train length	72.42 m (237 ft 7+3⁄16 in)^[1]
Car length	24.21 m (79 ft 5+1⁄8 in) (end cars) 24 m (78 ft 8+7⁄8 in) (intermediate cars)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transperth_B-series_train Of course a 3 car train might be alright during the slow hours of the day, but a 6 car train makes all the difference. A 475 foot long train is getting close to the length of a 152 m or 500 foot long Montreal Metro train. Unfortunately, the Vancouver & BC approach is all about limited capacity & congestive planning.

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Perth

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=Australia

Bellevue, WA - Eastside Link light rail set to open in April

https://komonews.com/news/local/eastside-link-light-rail-opening-april-27-south-bellevue-redmond-technology-stations-belred-2-line-public-transit-security-king-county-transportation-travel

https://bellevuewa.gov/city-government/departments/transportation/projects/east-link-light-rail

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Line_(Sound_Transit) , https://www.soundtransit.org/blog/platform/get-ready-new-link-service-eastside-next-spring

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/transportation/trains-in-training-sound-transit-powers-up-its-future-eastside-light-rail-route/

https://www.soundtransit.org/system-expansion/east-link-extension

https://www.theurbanist.org/2023/08/11/the-east-link-light-rail-starter-line-is-officially-a-go/

https://www.mercerisland.gov/community/page/light-rail-east-link

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/ca/Mercer_Island_East_Link_under_construction 4 lanes each way with 2 tracks in the middle. You would be hard-pressed to find something similar in or around Vancouver, BC. A balanced approach with efficient rail lines and a good road system can make all the difference.

Seattle, Calgary & Perth, 8 lanes & 2 tracks, but not in Greater Vancouver.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2_Line_(Sound_Transit)#Route

Grade Separation for trains is always the best option. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aADuNDv7Wc But sometimes things are done to cut the cost of a rail line down.

Why You Shouldn't Put Light Rail in Tunnels https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-9sLvdqcJY

Greater Seattle is able to do so much more, simply because its not under a Vancouver & BC lack of vision perspective.

Memorial Drive (Calgary)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memorial_Drive_(Calgary)

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b0/Calgary_Skyline_2015

Calgary, Seattle & Perth, 8 lanes & 2 tracks, but not in Greater Vancouver.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_Calgary#Organization

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Memorial-Drive1-Szmurlo

Evolution of the Vancouver SkyTrain 1985-2035

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3kzHlQQSeg

The Surrey-Langley Skytrain segment. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx5GBKjiw2c

Just because it's considered light rail, there still should have been a provision to easily have 152 m stations, like with the Montreal Metro stations. Instead, the first 2 lines only can handle 80 m trains & the C Line has a ridiculous 50 M station maximum. This, not properly building for the future agenda, is utterly foolish & inept. In spite of many cities opting for long trains & wide bridges, the BC approach is to provide half sized infrastructure for a half-assed approach to things. Nevertheless, there is still the potential to upgrade it to eventually becoming like a proper big city metro train system. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expo_Line_(SkyTrain)#Capacity_upgrades

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e6/SkyBridge

This is one of the best examples of BC bottleneck planning so far. The SkyBridge_for_SkyTrain should have had at least 3 tracks, not just 2 & only a maintenance track. The old inadequate 4 lane Pattullo_Bridge has only 1 narrow sidewalk & no bike or bus lanes. Thus, the Skybridge should have had 2 bike lanes & 2 footpaths. There also should have been 2 bus lanes, because when the train shuts down for maintenance or an emergency, a 24hr busway there is vital. The narrow SkyBridge really should have had a provision for a 2nd level, but that would go against the multigenerational congestive planning agenda of BC.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Skybridge_(TransLink)

If the very narrow & inept old Patullo-Bridge had much better foundations, it could have become a great foot & bike+bridge, once its replacement opened. Unfortunately, even the new Pattullo_Bridge is already set to be a modern example of BC bottleneck planning. While it will at least have a bike & footpath on both sides, it will open without any proper bus & HOV lanes.

Even if the Expo_Line_(SkyTrain) was somehow open for 24hrs, there would still be the occasional emergency situation requiring the train bridge to close. Yet, even the new 4 lane Pattullo-Bridge will open without any bus, HOV lanes or emergency lanes. Thus, it will become another fine example of BC bottleneck planning.

The new Pattullo-Bridge should open with 6 lanes & a provision to have at least 8 lanes. This would not only allow for 2 general lanes each way, but a bus & HOV lane each way & a truck lane each way. https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/pattullo-bridge-surrey-board-of-trade

Of course there also should have been a provision for a lower or upper deck, which could provide additional bus & train capacity. Unfortunately, it will start out as another 4 lane backward BC bridge.

https://therabbitportal.blogspot.com/search?q=bike+bridges

Thursday, February 15, 2024

Why 95% of Australia is Empty

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnB_8Zm9lPk

Why Auckland Needs This new Railway

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeMN22PaYSM

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auckland#Transport

Why 80% of New Zealand is Empty https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_g6-4swJ_s