honolulutraffic.com

Offering cost-effective ways to reduce traffic congestion in Honolulu

 

Mayor Hannemann attempts to rebut the "Gang of Four":

the video of the Mayor's appearance courtesy of Robyn Ocepek of Celebrations photography. It was quite amusing to see that while he is talking, over his shoulder is the first of Rotary's 4-way test, “Is it the truth?”

Here is where he is misleading:

  • He says, "Rail will ease future traffic congestion — without rail congestion will be far worse." He cannot bring himself to say the magic words, "Traffic congestion in the future with rail will be worse than it is today but not as bad as it would be if we did nothing." Of course, no one is suggesting that we do nothing. Worst of all, he quotes Cliff Slater on the slide totally out of context so that it appears he is agreeing with the Mayor.
  • He talks about reducing energy use by 33,000 gallons per day with rail. We have clearly shown that there is highly unlikely to be any energy savings. See our tab to the left, "No energy savings."
  • He discusses how much higher operating costs are for buses, saying the difference is that no drivers are needed for the rail vehicles. He ignores the vast amount of staff needed to keep rail going, especially security staff, which is not needed for buses. Most of all he ignores capital costs; 600 buses at an average of $500,000 per bus = $300 million, which depreciated over a 14-year average life @ 5 percent interest = $32 million annually (even that amount ignores that 80 percent of new bus costs are presently borne by the feds). On the other hand, local rail cost (net of fed money) would be $3.8 billion (only if no cost overruns). Interest alone @5 percent would be $190 million annually. Add to that refurbishing and replacement costs over 50 years that would equal the original cost of the project. Think Aloha Stadium.

Most of the time he just rambles especially when he gets to talk about Transit Oriented Development. Listen and see the Mayor on video by the link above and judge for yourself.

 

Another great HOT lanes video:

The Minneapolis MnPASS Express Lanes (aka HOT lanes) opened three years ago and is highly successful as this video shows.

 

Video simulations from the UHCS Microsimulation Study:

These videos are short, 40 to 90-second clips generated by the VISSIM micro simulation program for Oahu developed by Dr. Panos Prevedouros and his students. A complete description of the benefits of underpasses in general, and these five underpasses in particular, are contained in Transportation Alternatives Analysis for Mitigating Traffic Congestion between Leeward Oahu and Honolulu: A Detailed Microsimulation Study. Directed by Professor Panos D. Prevedouros with the Participation of Undergraduate and Graduate Students Specializing in Transportation Studies. (Page 57 of 122).

The five examples shown, which are estimated to cost $50 million in total, by no means exhaust the possibilities for reducing in town traffic congestion.

In each case, when you click on the links below you are presented with two screens side by side with the one on the left showing the present traffic situation and the one on the right the effects after constructing the underpasses.

You must click on the PLAY buttons on both screens to get them to run. To repeat the video, use the PLAY button in the bottom left corner.

 

Nimitz, Bishop, Alakea & Halekauwila

The after is after the installation of a single lane underpass starting on Nimitz in the Diamond Head direction just before Bishop Street proceeding underground to a split where motorists have the choice of going left up Alakea or straight ahead to Halekauwila Street.

 

Vineyard & Pali:

The after is after the installation of two single lane underpasses on the Pali Highway under Vineyard Boulevard. One going mauka and the other makai.

 

Vineyard & Punchbowl:

The after is after the installation of two single-lane underpasses on Vineyard Boulevard, one is going in the Diamond Head direction and the other flows opposite in the Ewa direction.

 

Kapiolani & Kalakaua

The after is after the installation of two single-lane underpasses on Kalakaua Avenue under Kapiolani Boulevard in opposite directions.

 

Date, Kapiolani & Kamoku interchange

The after is after the installation of two single lane underpasses along Kapiolani in opposite directions under the interchange.