Following up on his first map from April, 2008, Michael Tyznik has created another fun rail map for Columbus. This time the proposed rail lines all follow existing tracks, much like my potential commuter rail map from March, 2008. I think Mike’s got mad graphic design skillz.
Click on the image below for a .PDF version.
Columbus Fantasy Commuter Rail Map
Yes, please.
Sigh…
Thought you would find this of interest: http://policyinpractice.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/passenger-rail-one-step-closer-to-reality/
We’re another step closer to getting connector rail between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.
[...] a rail system in Columbus Over at “Xing Columbus” they’ve posted a fantasy rail map for Columbus. Utilizing existing rail rights-of-way, the map is nothing if not impressive. With [...]
The thing is, until driving isn’t convenient in this town, we’ll never see something like this. With ample parking everywhere, suburban-style development even in the downtown area, and traffic that is tolerable, there isn’t enough incentive for everyday people.
When traffic gets so bad that the city imposes an entry-fee into downtown for cars, or when parking gets so bad that it’s like the Short North everywhere, that’s when we’ll see it happen. But in a town with so little density, it seems a long way off.
The street car makes sense, something like this doesn’t. As much as I would absolutely love to see this happen, I just don’t see it getting used, because for most people, their car, unfortunately, is still more convenient.
People would be riding it out of altruism rather than necessity, and I don’t think it could survive that way.
I know this is all just for fun, I’m just depressed about it, cause I don’t think it will happen anytime soon.
I think the intent is to show what “could be”. This map may seem like fantasy, but it is not far off what COTA had on the planning board for light rail back in 2000-2001. This is actually a better-looking map than what COTA had when I worked there.
Driving habits are changing and many more people are pushing for more and better options to driving. I have no reason to doubt that some of what is on this map will actually happen. Why?
The Ohio 21st Century Transportation Priorities Task Force is just about done with 6 months worth of work and public input meetings about re-shaping Ohio’s transportation policy from one that has been largely highway-centric to one that is truly multi-modal. Rail and transit will play a large role in that process. So a lot of the old notions about transportation are about to change..as will development patterns and land use, which are often transportation-driven.
This is a very good map and (possibly) a vision of the future.
I agree, I think it’s a great map, and I would absolutely love to see it become a reality. I hope you’re right. I would definitely use it!
I agree with seibu1 that this full map won’t be a reality anytime soon. But I think we could see the first line or two being developed in the not-too-distant future.
I think something similar to what Nashville recently launched could work well as a commuter line to some of our more populated suburbs. Something that uses existing rail lines (just like this map does), only runs a few times a day during peak/rush hours, and serves mostly as a work/home commuter shuttle could be highly effective to run from say… Delaware to Downtown with maybe 6 or so stops in between.
And looking down the road a few decades could easily lead to expansion. Columbus is still projected on a path of steady growth in population through 2030 (I’m struggling to find the data I read from a study I *think* done recently by MORPC). Perhaps we’ll all be old and gray by the time this fantasy map becomes a reality, but I think it’s highly likely that we’ll have at least one form of rail transit up and running in Columbus within the next three years.
I love the fantasy maps. I’d love to see someone give a shot at a fantasy timetable. I’m not familiar with how transit orgs establish estimated times and head ways, but I would be curious to see what we could expect from a Columbus rail transit system.
Is the thought more towards running commuter service 5 days a week at the peak rush times, as COTA currently does with many of the express buses? Or having a mix of commuter rail with limited runs and a service running to major destinations (like Easton) and high population-high ridership areas?
Pretty map.
Some nitpicks:
Worthington: a stop between Crosswoods and Schrock (for the dense Worthington Square Mall area)?
OSU:
Maybe a Lennox stop between Lane and Fifth?
[...] 13, 2008 by johnwirtz In the spirit of continuing to make fun maps, I have decided to float one of my more recent ideas. I propose a 6.6 mile long busway on the [...]
Seeing the above map got me motivated to put up my own fantasy rail map, so here goes….
My thought for a Central Ohio rail system is to have a combination of commuter (regional) rail with light rail. The reason being is that some corridors lend themselves better to rail systems with fewer more frequent stops (e.g. SR 315 Tech Corridor or a Pickerington-Columbus) where some corridors are better served with longer distances between stations (e.g. Zanesville-Newark-Columbus). Another reason is that given the importance of freight rail to the area economy, not all rail corridors will be able to accommodate light rail in combination with freight traffic. Instead, commuter rail will need to be used to allow passenger services to mix with freight traffic.
One item I thought would need to be explored in a fantasy rail map is that of direct access of suburban light rail lines directly into downtown. I did this by turning the Town-Rich Street to a pedestrian/transit mall – similar to what Portland will be opening up this coming year.
View Larger Map
My architecture thesis project at the University of Oregon-Portland is a proposed light rail system for Columbus, OH. The project mainly focuses on the urban design and architecture of a transit oriented development around a stop in an area of town like Northland. Does anyone want to critique it a few times within my six month studio design process? I’ve got lots of great urban design and architecture resources out here. The main advice I’ll be lacking is the Columbus knowledge base, other than myself. I’d love to have input and comments from time to time. email me at jcloyd@uoregon.edu if you’d like to be a resource.
Thanks! (Sorry if this isn’t the place to post this.)
That sounds really interesting Justin. It would be great if you send along some renderings and text when you’re ready and we could post it here. Then anyone could comment on it.
You might also want to sign up for a screen name at http://columbusunderground.com/ Anyone can create posts there and there are a lot of people that check the site and would be happy to give you feedback when the time comes.
Does anyone have a higher resolution copy of this map?
Bruce,
If you click on the image in the post it will open a .PDF and you can zoom in to improve the resolution. Here is the link:
http://www.tyznik.com/misc/map.pdf
I updated the map with stops at Kinnear (Lennox Town Center) and Wilson Bridge (Worthington Mall). I’m working on a version right now with streetcar connections shown.
Looks like we’re in for lots of streetcars in your plan Mike.
[...] Vignelli’s subway map was famous for sacrificing geographical accuracy in favor of simplicity, much like London’s Underground map. However, I think the geographical accuracy on Mike’s new Columbus map is pretty and good, certainly easier to understand than the previous version. [...]