Franklin Tang
@27a01.bsky.social
↓Mood for the rest of the day
November 7, 2025 at 4:01 PM
↓Mood for the rest of the day
@ndhapple.bsky.social
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
The spec may be a behemoth at 1500 pages, but the RFP explicitly allows for alternate designs & standards (including aluminum!) to cast the widest possible net of rolling stock platforms. SEPTA is leaving no stone unturned
November 6, 2025 at 9:42 PM
@ndhapple.bsky.social
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
Hey look they are looking to make the descendant of the traincar in our acceleration curves tables
If only we have some land-based alternative that can move a lot more people on a dedicated alignment...
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
United starting to post its Trump Flight Cancelations for Friday and the #CursedRoute is taking a 50% hit.
“Your flight is canceled due to FAA-mandated airspace restrictions during the government shutdown.“
“Your flight is canceled due to FAA-mandated airspace restrictions during the government shutdown.“
November 6, 2025 at 8:46 PM
If only we have some land-based alternative that can move a lot more people on a dedicated alignment...
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
You know, to compensate for the loss in flying capacity...especially for this route, too.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
Scared about kill switches in buses Norway bought from China?
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
NEWAG's digital sabotage of Koleje Dolnośląskie (Dolny Śląsk) trains - what were they thinking? - Jon Worth
In the past couple of days, my Mastodon feed has been full of astonishment about how three Polish IT specialists discovered digital sabotage attempts in trains built by manufacturer NEWAG. The origina...
jonworth.eu
November 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
Scared about kill switches in buses Norway bought from China?
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
How about trains in Poland with something similar but even more malevolent 👇
jonworth.eu/newags-digit...
Ah no, not China, so doesn't generate the same fuss 🤷♂️
Reposted by Franklin Tang
I've done something that I don't do very often. I wrote a short, quick polemic post. It was prompted by a discussion in here.
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
Why I’m still skeptical about ALTO’s HSR project
A reality check and a plea for transparency.
open.substack.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:22 PM
I've done something that I don't do very often. I wrote a short, quick polemic post. It was prompted by a discussion in here.
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
It's about why I'm still skeptical about ALTO's HSR project and why there is no way around transparency in public projects.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
The Canadian 2025 budget tabled by the Carney administration, describes the Alto HSR project in a very specific, defined goal.
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
November 5, 2025 at 5:17 AM
The Canadian 2025 budget tabled by the Carney administration, describes the Alto HSR project in a very specific, defined goal.
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
The full budget can be found here budget.canada.ca/2025/home-ac...
1/thread
Reposted by Franklin Tang
You know what? A better city is possible.
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
You know what? A better city is possible.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
I finally completed my second long form post dedicated to the problem of High Speed Rail and the city, or "who goes with whom in the puzzle of traffic separation around large urban areas?"
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
The High Speed Rail and the city - part 2
More tracks, but for whom? The case of the Bologna-Castel Bolognese fast quad-tracking and the problem of disentangling mixed traffic.
open.substack.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
I finally completed my second long form post dedicated to the problem of High Speed Rail and the city, or "who goes with whom in the puzzle of traffic separation around large urban areas?"
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
I hope you enjoy.
open.substack.com/pub/marcochi...
The NEW, interactive website for our NEC report (by @alonlevy.bsky.social) is ready!
nec.transitcosts.com
nec.transitcosts.com
How to Build High-Speed Rail on the Northeast Corridor
An interactive site presenting the North East Corridor proposal by Marron Institute's Transportation and Land Use Group, authored by Alon Levy.
nec.transitcosts.com
October 20, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The NEW, interactive website for our NEC report (by @alonlevy.bsky.social) is ready!
nec.transitcosts.com
nec.transitcosts.com
Reposted by Franklin Tang
We will discuss free buses for at least the next year! Free buses are okay. Faster, more frequent buses and a more expansive fair fares is better. Let’s translate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s enthusiasm for buses into real change in the next administration: www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
Should the bus be free? Transit advocates are divided
"Free buses" is one of the big ideas that helped Zohran Mamdani win the Democratic mayoral primary in New York City. But the track record in cities that have stopped collecting fares is mixed.
www.npr.org
October 16, 2025 at 10:33 PM
We will discuss free buses for at least the next year! Free buses are okay. Faster, more frequent buses and a more expansive fair fares is better. Let’s translate @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social’s enthusiasm for buses into real change in the next administration: www.npr.org/2025/10/16/n...
Reposted by Franklin Tang
“Massive NY tunnel and subway projects still alive,“
“DOT has no plans to end the multibillion-dollar Gateway tunnel and Second Ave Subway projects, an administration official told POLITICO a day after the president said they had been ‘terminated.’” subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
“DOT has no plans to end the multibillion-dollar Gateway tunnel and Second Ave Subway projects, an administration official told POLITICO a day after the president said they had been ‘terminated.’” subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
POLITICO Pro: Massive NY tunnel and subway projects still alive, despite Trump's claims
DOT has no plans to end the multibillion-dollar Gateway tunnel and Second Avenue Subway projects, an administration official told POLITICO a day after the president said they had been "terminated."
subscriber.politicopro.com
October 16, 2025 at 6:22 PM
“Massive NY tunnel and subway projects still alive,“
“DOT has no plans to end the multibillion-dollar Gateway tunnel and Second Ave Subway projects, an administration official told POLITICO a day after the president said they had been ‘terminated.’” subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
“DOT has no plans to end the multibillion-dollar Gateway tunnel and Second Ave Subway projects, an administration official told POLITICO a day after the president said they had been ‘terminated.’” subscriber.politicopro.com/article/2025...
Meanwhile in New York City...
October 16, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Meanwhile in New York City...
Reposted by Franklin Tang
I just can't get over the differences in scale between Ballard Link's Westlake Station as proposed and the original Westlake Station, off to the left.
October 8, 2025 at 10:49 PM
I just can't get over the differences in scale between Ballard Link's Westlake Station as proposed and the original Westlake Station, off to the left.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
What's the incentive for politicians when they get reflected even if Metrolinx's leadership set money on fire in Dundas Square.
Ontarians deserve that because they voted for that.
Ontarians deserve that because they voted for that.
October 2, 2025 at 11:58 PM
What's the incentive for politicians when they get reflected even if Metrolinx's leadership set money on fire in Dundas Square.
Ontarians deserve that because they voted for that.
Ontarians deserve that because they voted for that.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
🚌 Strategies used to turnaround Akron’s bus system:
1. CEO used to be a bus driver, now rides the bus with customers
2. Run buses every 15 minutes, 7 days a week
3. Concentrate on most needed services
4. Reduce job requirements
“If we’re not using our product, why should anybody else use it?”
1. CEO used to be a bus driver, now rides the bus with customers
2. Run buses every 15 minutes, 7 days a week
3. Concentrate on most needed services
4. Reduce job requirements
“If we’re not using our product, why should anybody else use it?”
September 22, 2025 at 6:37 PM
🚌 Strategies used to turnaround Akron’s bus system:
1. CEO used to be a bus driver, now rides the bus with customers
2. Run buses every 15 minutes, 7 days a week
3. Concentrate on most needed services
4. Reduce job requirements
“If we’re not using our product, why should anybody else use it?”
1. CEO used to be a bus driver, now rides the bus with customers
2. Run buses every 15 minutes, 7 days a week
3. Concentrate on most needed services
4. Reduce job requirements
“If we’re not using our product, why should anybody else use it?”
Reposted by Franklin Tang
NYC: we need a ventilation building for air intake and smoke extraction, so it's at least 40 feet above street level. Actually, we need two for each station.
NFPA 130: extraction/intake should be a couple of feet above street level, so one can't park above it.
Copenhagen:
NFPA 130: extraction/intake should be a couple of feet above street level, so one can't park above it.
Copenhagen:
September 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
NYC: we need a ventilation building for air intake and smoke extraction, so it's at least 40 feet above street level. Actually, we need two for each station.
NFPA 130: extraction/intake should be a couple of feet above street level, so one can't park above it.
Copenhagen:
NFPA 130: extraction/intake should be a couple of feet above street level, so one can't park above it.
Copenhagen:
Reposted by Franklin Tang
My review of Toronto’s new Mass timber tower: a quiet triumph.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Limberlost Place: Toronto’s timber tower aims high
Limberlost stretches building codes and gives architects and engineers a new system of open-sourced solutions
www.theglobeandmail.com
September 20, 2025 at 1:53 PM
My review of Toronto’s new Mass timber tower: a quiet triumph.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
This concise description is not stressed enough. With urban rail there are more benefit to apply quad tracks instead of continuously adapt bypass track designs on certain high-throughput corridors over longer distances. Even so when commuter rail and urban rail share the same corridor.
That's a good way to concisely describe the benefits of a quad-tracking project.
September 16, 2025 at 1:39 PM
This concise description is not stressed enough. With urban rail there are more benefit to apply quad tracks instead of continuously adapt bypass track designs on certain high-throughput corridors over longer distances. Even so when commuter rail and urban rail share the same corridor.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
Not sure if Transit Bluesky missed this, but the FTA is seeking public comment from all transit stakeholders on streamlining and improving the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) process. Comments are due in 3 days!
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Request for Information Concerning the Capital Investment Grants Program
The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) is seeking suggestions from all transit stakeholders (transit authorities, planning officials, States, cities, the private sector, and the public) on ways to s...
www.federalregister.gov
September 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Not sure if Transit Bluesky missed this, but the FTA is seeking public comment from all transit stakeholders on streamlining and improving the Capital Investment Grants (CIG) process. Comments are due in 3 days!
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
www.federalregister.gov/documents/20...
Reposted by Franklin Tang
When I commuted from San Francisco to study at Stanford in the late 1980s, the San Francisco peninsula rail line @caltrain.com was a primary limiting factor on my education. It ran every two hours and stopped at 10 PM.
Why? 🧵 1/
Why? 🧵 1/
July 14, 2025 at 10:53 PM
When I commuted from San Francisco to study at Stanford in the late 1980s, the San Francisco peninsula rail line @caltrain.com was a primary limiting factor on my education. It ran every two hours and stopped at 10 PM.
Why? 🧵 1/
Why? 🧵 1/
Reposted by Franklin Tang
House GOP released proposed appropriations for FY 2026 for housing & transportation, proposing:
—$2 b increase in highway funds—but a $1.8 b cut in transit spending, essentially eliminating new grants for transit lines.
—$900 m decrease in housing funds, including no new funds for the HOME program.
—$2 b increase in highway funds—but a $1.8 b cut in transit spending, essentially eliminating new grants for transit lines.
—$900 m decrease in housing funds, including no new funds for the HOME program.
appropriations.house.gov
July 14, 2025 at 1:39 PM
House GOP released proposed appropriations for FY 2026 for housing & transportation, proposing:
—$2 b increase in highway funds—but a $1.8 b cut in transit spending, essentially eliminating new grants for transit lines.
—$900 m decrease in housing funds, including no new funds for the HOME program.
—$2 b increase in highway funds—but a $1.8 b cut in transit spending, essentially eliminating new grants for transit lines.
—$900 m decrease in housing funds, including no new funds for the HOME program.
Reposted by Franklin Tang
Mamdani, campaigning for bus improvements:
"Speeding up buses isn't complicated... all the tools are in the power of City Hall... we just need a mayor who will deliver for the more than one million New Yorkers who ride the bus every day."
"Speeding up buses isn't complicated... all the tools are in the power of City Hall... we just need a mayor who will deliver for the more than one million New Yorkers who ride the bus every day."
The 14th Street Busway has been a smashing success: faster commutes, fewer crashes, calmer streets.
So why is Eric Adams blocking a similar plan for 34th Street?
So why is Eric Adams blocking a similar plan for 34th Street?
July 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Mamdani, campaigning for bus improvements:
"Speeding up buses isn't complicated... all the tools are in the power of City Hall... we just need a mayor who will deliver for the more than one million New Yorkers who ride the bus every day."
"Speeding up buses isn't complicated... all the tools are in the power of City Hall... we just need a mayor who will deliver for the more than one million New Yorkers who ride the bus every day."
Hong Kong announced funding schedules Phase 1 of the MTR Northern Link. By moving to mainland standards, the legislative committee claims the cost has been reduced to 39.1 Billion HKD and a firm opening date no more later than 2034.
www.stheadline.com/society/3471...
www.stheadline.com/society/3471...
北環綫︱港鐵北環綫擬建支線 設皇崗口岸、河套站 不遲於2034年與主線同步開通
【北環綫/港鐵/古洞/新田/牛潭尾/凹頭/東鐵綫/屯馬綫】行政長官會同行政會議今日（7月8日）批准北環線項目第一部分的財務安排，政府與港鐵隨後簽訂第一部分項目協議，估計造價約為314.0億元。北環綫主綫及支綫將合併為單一項目分兩期發展，以達致目標不遲於2034年同步開通主綫及支綫。
www.singtao.ca
July 8, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Hong Kong announced funding schedules Phase 1 of the MTR Northern Link. By moving to mainland standards, the legislative committee claims the cost has been reduced to 39.1 Billion HKD and a firm opening date no more later than 2034.
www.stheadline.com/society/3471...
www.stheadline.com/society/3471...
Bringing in HSR to city centers has always been a touchy subject, even for Chinese cities. Barring Shanghai and Beijing, many other Tier I/II cities first introduces HSR at a location 10-20km from the traditional center and then considers how to introduce it into the city center in the next wave.
One of the major controversial issues during the early planning of the italian HSR N-S spine, from the late 1980s to the late 1990s, was about how it would deal with cities.
We just mention it briefly in our paper, but I will dive into the case of Florence as I think it's particularly instructive.
We just mention it briefly in our paper, but I will dive into the case of Florence as I think it's particularly instructive.
July 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Bringing in HSR to city centers has always been a touchy subject, even for Chinese cities. Barring Shanghai and Beijing, many other Tier I/II cities first introduces HSR at a location 10-20km from the traditional center and then considers how to introduce it into the city center in the next wave.