I like Houston, however the train seems really slow. Seeing all the videos of Metrorail, it seems that the train has to stop at the red lights. However, I would say inserting rail crossing signals and giving metro priority will help the train speed a lot faster.
Sigh. No short answer to this one. There are crossing signals on all the lines. Europeans think crossing signals and train whistles for trams particularly odd and they make fun of them because where they live, traffic enforcement is strict. Actually, there is some coordination between MetroRail and the auto traffic signals. If you notice, one of the scenes at Wayside shows the rail car leaving before the auto signal turns green. The interval is ten seconds for safety. Anyway, MetroRail is 50% faster than a Houston limited-stop bus. When Metro substitute a bus shuttle for building construction blockages and road, sewer, telecom and water maintenance on the lines, they always recommend allowing extra time because the bus is slower. Another thing to consider is that police speed enforcement on Houston streets is practically non-existent. Houston drivers are out of control, with a fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled at twice the US average for cities. The autos you see whizzing by are breaking the speed limit, but no one enforces it until a fatality wreck happens, and then often only if substance abuse is involved. For instance, the speed limit on the Harrisburg bridge is 35 MPH, but you have people driving 60+ on it. The Houston police and Harris County Sheriff's departments evidently feel their budgets are not big enough to strictly enforce the Texas Motor Vehicle Codes. MetroRail and Metro bus operators have to use extreme caution. For me, driving in Houston is often a white-knuckle event. Pedestrians, cyclists and public transit users are particularly vulnerable. Having lived here for 36 years, I speak from personal experience. Unlike Dallas, Houston has paved over all the abandoned rail rights of way leading out of town. The light rail cars are capable of greater speed, but without the cooperation of the county governments, rapid transit for MetroRail is not in the cards. Few Americans understand what true Alternative Transportation means.
Well it would be better if the Houston metro rail would be constructed on freeway. Just like the green line in Los Angeles or Gold line. Freeway meets important areas of a city and the train wouldn't have to worry about street drivers.
oh man, i remember walking those streets as a kid back in 1975 till when i was a young man.........one thing about my mexican people, we kept the neighborhood clean.......who know what is planed for that area.....but it still looks clean and in good shape......
I used to go to that Little Ceasers on Harrisburgh quite often.
I love taking metro rail to downtown
I always loved metro rail!
I like Houston, however the train seems really slow. Seeing all the videos of Metrorail, it seems that the train has to stop at the red lights. However, I would say inserting rail crossing signals and giving metro priority will help the train speed a lot faster.
Sigh. No short answer to this one.
There are crossing signals on all the lines. Europeans think crossing signals and train whistles for trams particularly odd and they make fun of them because where they live, traffic enforcement is strict. Actually, there is some coordination between MetroRail and the auto traffic signals. If you notice, one of the scenes at Wayside shows the rail car leaving before the auto signal turns green. The interval is ten seconds for safety.
Anyway, MetroRail is 50% faster than a Houston limited-stop bus. When Metro substitute a bus shuttle for building construction blockages and road, sewer, telecom and water maintenance on the lines, they always recommend allowing extra time because the bus is slower.
Another thing to consider is that police speed enforcement on Houston streets is practically non-existent. Houston drivers are out of control, with a fatality rate per vehicle miles traveled at twice the US average for cities. The autos you see whizzing by are breaking the speed limit, but no one enforces it until a fatality wreck happens, and then often only if substance abuse is involved. For instance, the speed limit on the Harrisburg bridge is 35 MPH, but you have people driving 60+ on it. The Houston police and Harris County Sheriff's departments evidently feel their budgets are not big enough to strictly enforce the Texas Motor Vehicle Codes. MetroRail and Metro bus operators have to use extreme caution. For me, driving in Houston is often a white-knuckle event. Pedestrians, cyclists and public transit users are particularly vulnerable. Having lived here for 36 years, I speak from personal experience.
Unlike Dallas, Houston has paved over all the abandoned rail rights of way leading out of town. The light rail cars are capable of greater speed, but without the cooperation of the county governments, rapid transit for MetroRail is not in the cards. Few Americans understand what true Alternative Transportation means.
Well it would be better if the Houston metro rail would be constructed on freeway. Just like the green line in Los Angeles or Gold line. Freeway meets important areas of a city and the train wouldn't have to worry about street drivers.
and its cheaper to construct
Jesus Barrera actually they do have priority
Ding ding! I'm a tram and I approve this video! :D
IS THAT CAF URBOS H3?
Do Night Time View please. Purple Line
oh man, i remember walking those streets as a kid back in 1975 till when i was a young man.........one thing about my mexican people, we kept the neighborhood clean.......who know what is planed for that area.....but it still looks clean and in good shape......
Yes they do I know that
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