Transit and Broadband

Could it be that the right combination of crisis and consciousness will create the will to build passenger rail in Ohio? It seems every economist agrees that massive infrastructure spending is needed to get the economy growing again. The debate is over what to build or repair. As noted in the previous post, a likely candidate is broadband infrastructure.

But rail could be a beneficiary too. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports:

Passenger rail service from Cleveland to Cincinnati could be a reality by 2010 if the state gets $100 million in proposed infrastructure stimulus money.

The Ohio Rail Development Commission also intends to apply next year for federal matching grants from a passenger rail bill passed by Congress this fall.

Now I am bit out of my expertise here but it seems that combining transportation corridors with ultra high speed public broadband access could provide a powerful nudge to mass transit use and sustainable development. Several cities in the US and abroad are offering free or low-cost public wifi on trains, light rail and even buses, giving commuters one more reason to get out of their cars. (See stories on San Francisco, Boston and Sweden).

And transit advocates are always pointing toward Transit Oriented Development (TOD) as the desirable outcome -- the hard core financial ROI -- of transit development. This is "the creation of compact, walkable communities centered around high quality train systems. This makes it possible to live a higher quality life without complete dependence on a car for mobility and survival."

Well, how about Broadband and Transit Oriented Development (BTOD)? Build a continuous network of human and digital connectivity. The allure of free or low cost, super fast broadband will be another incentive for citizens and innovative companies to locate near mass transit.

A good crisis should not go to waste. Let's get it right and build broadband and rail at the same time, laying the groundwork for 21st century economy and communities.

A glimpse of the future?