Infrastructure Weak
@infrastructureweak.bsky.social
Renter; bike and transit rider
Construction project manager
Posts about safe street design and transit projects
Berkeley, CA
Construction project manager
Posts about safe street design and transit projects
Berkeley, CA
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Self-driving cars are the most transformative transportation tech in a century.
In 2025, I wrote a slew of stories exploring their effects. 🧵
In @vox.com, I explained why the convenience of self-driven rides could bring crippling congestion. Cities should act now to mitigate the risks.
In 2025, I wrote a slew of stories exploring their effects. 🧵
In @vox.com, I explained why the convenience of self-driven rides could bring crippling congestion. Cities should act now to mitigate the risks.
A self-driving car traffic jam is coming for US cities
A century ago, cars remade America. Autonomous vehicles could do it again.
www.vox.com
December 26, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Self-driving cars are the most transformative transportation tech in a century.
In 2025, I wrote a slew of stories exploring their effects. 🧵
In @vox.com, I explained why the convenience of self-driven rides could bring crippling congestion. Cities should act now to mitigate the risks.
In 2025, I wrote a slew of stories exploring their effects. 🧵
In @vox.com, I explained why the convenience of self-driven rides could bring crippling congestion. Cities should act now to mitigate the risks.
The RFQ is out for CAHSR's new delivery plan. This builds on the August business case update, under which Bakersfield-Merced is out and Bakersfield-SF is in. This higher-revenue connection allows HSR to enter a P3 that will bring forward financing to allow them to complete the Pacheco Pass crossing.
December 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
The RFQ is out for CAHSR's new delivery plan. This builds on the August business case update, under which Bakersfield-Merced is out and Bakersfield-SF is in. This higher-revenue connection allows HSR to enter a P3 that will bring forward financing to allow them to complete the Pacheco Pass crossing.
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
The California High-Speed Rail Authority seeks to bring a consortium of private investors and developers on board by summer 2026 to begin the process of delivering high-speed rail faster, smarter and more economically. 🤝🚅
Learn more here: bit.ly/3LbE5q6
Learn more here: bit.ly/3LbE5q6
December 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM
The California High-Speed Rail Authority seeks to bring a consortium of private investors and developers on board by summer 2026 to begin the process of delivering high-speed rail faster, smarter and more economically. 🤝🚅
Learn more here: bit.ly/3LbE5q6
Learn more here: bit.ly/3LbE5q6
New blog post by @ctillier.bsky.social. I'd be curious to learn more about proposal #4 for improving trip time, modular/quick-build platform height increases, and about comparable examples.
It's the Trip Time, Stupid
Components of trip time. Electrification only improved time in motion. Photos by Mliu92, Evan0512, SaarPro. Marco Chitti recently penned a g...
caltrain-hsr.blogspot.com
December 23, 2025 at 3:32 AM
New blog post by @ctillier.bsky.social. I'd be curious to learn more about proposal #4 for improving trip time, modular/quick-build platform height increases, and about comparable examples.
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
to inaugurate the new blog, i've written about a local and contentious topic that's been on my mind for years. at its heart, it's about understanding the information that transit riders need.
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
Line 1 is not one line
In the long term, treating Toronto’s Line 1 as two different lines would eliminate more confusion than it would create.
fernkhahn.medium.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:54 PM
to inaugurate the new blog, i've written about a local and contentious topic that's been on my mind for years. at its heart, it's about understanding the information that transit riders need.
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
the case for splitting TTC Line 1:
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
As with underpriced fire insurance, the bill for Prop 13 is coming due. Cities were able to stave it off with Mello-Roos on new development at first, then with local sales and parcel taxes, but the bill is coming. The only things that could fix this are repealing Prop 13 or a lot of new development.
Someone requested this alternate graphic: total tax, by year built, for all residential structures in Berkeley. In terms of local property/parcel tax yield, the five years from 2020-2024 amount to more revenue than all the buildings built during the thirty years 1970-1999.
December 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
As with underpriced fire insurance, the bill for Prop 13 is coming due. Cities were able to stave it off with Mello-Roos on new development at first, then with local sales and parcel taxes, but the bill is coming. The only things that could fix this are repealing Prop 13 or a lot of new development.
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Massive congratulations are owed to the folks at @tvrr.bsky.social for their work on International Boulevard.
It is *unquestionable* that their advocacy has saved multiple lives, something not many people can say.
Quick 🧵on their blog post.
www.oakrapidresponse.org/posts/intern...
It is *unquestionable* that their advocacy has saved multiple lives, something not many people can say.
Quick 🧵on their blog post.
www.oakrapidresponse.org/posts/intern...
International Blvd is Now Much Safer
Last week, OakDOT and AC Transit shared the results of the International BRT Safety Project and frankly the results are an eye-popping success! Traffic calming infrastructure saves lives! Please write...
www.oakrapidresponse.org
December 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Massive congratulations are owed to the folks at @tvrr.bsky.social for their work on International Boulevard.
It is *unquestionable* that their advocacy has saved multiple lives, something not many people can say.
Quick 🧵on their blog post.
www.oakrapidresponse.org/posts/intern...
It is *unquestionable* that their advocacy has saved multiple lives, something not many people can say.
Quick 🧵on their blog post.
www.oakrapidresponse.org/posts/intern...
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
So far Berkeley's San Pablo Ave plan recommends not even *studying* corridor upgrades until *after* Alameda County's project to the south is complete, which could be 2033 or beyond. Instead Berkeley needs to act *now* to initiate a study, if they hope to deliver anything in conjunction w development
December 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
So far Berkeley's San Pablo Ave plan recommends not even *studying* corridor upgrades until *after* Alameda County's project to the south is complete, which could be 2033 or beyond. Instead Berkeley needs to act *now* to initiate a study, if they hope to deliver anything in conjunction w development
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Everyone treats "autonomy" as a singular technological problem, that once "solved" will simply create a profit-generating machine, but the hard reality is that this technology is a constant negotiation between profits on one hand and the level of safety and behavior society will tolerate on the road
December 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Everyone treats "autonomy" as a singular technological problem, that once "solved" will simply create a profit-generating machine, but the hard reality is that this technology is a constant negotiation between profits on one hand and the level of safety and behavior society will tolerate on the road
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
The secret sauce of Zurich's transit priority at intersections: two-stage crossings, variable length cycles made of stages that can change their length and order adaptively, and narrow lanes and intersections resulting in very short clearing times
December 9, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The secret sauce of Zurich's transit priority at intersections: two-stage crossings, variable length cycles made of stages that can change their length and order adaptively, and narrow lanes and intersections resulting in very short clearing times
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Stopped by Berkeley's Telegraph Ave fair this past weekend. Lots of arts, crafts, vintage clothing, and more. Come visit next weekend!
December 16, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Stopped by Berkeley's Telegraph Ave fair this past weekend. Lots of arts, crafts, vintage clothing, and more. Come visit next weekend!
Of course, if metering lights were studied for the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, the benefits that would be found would undermine justification for Caltrans's third lane widening project. Concrete-led planning.
I find it conspicuous that Caltrans has not studied mainline metering lights for the 3-to-2-lane reduction at the RSR toll plaza, as at the Bay Bridge. The smoothed traffic flow would result in higher throughput, reduced merger collisions, and much faster transit speeds and emergency response.
December 15, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Of course, if metering lights were studied for the Richmond-San Rafael Bridge, the benefits that would be found would undermine justification for Caltrans's third lane widening project. Concrete-led planning.
I very much enjoyed attending the showcase for the National Single Stair Design Competition, put on by East Bay for Everyone and Housing Action Coalition last week.
December 15, 2025 at 10:08 PM
I very much enjoyed attending the showcase for the National Single Stair Design Competition, put on by East Bay for Everyone and Housing Action Coalition last week.
Nice thread about massing rules for the transition to single-stair infill. Where we can, it'll be important to politically push for zero side setbacks in exchange for other concessions (reduced lot coverage or deeper rear setback), for the most livable eventual urban buildout.
At 6 storeys, it's very much better to simply dispense with the side yard...
but here we are with the conundrum of the protected single family home experience which is so wholly wrapped up into our idea of "urban" planning that we aren't escaping it any time soon
but here we are with the conundrum of the protected single family home experience which is so wholly wrapped up into our idea of "urban" planning that we aren't escaping it any time soon
December 15, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Nice thread about massing rules for the transition to single-stair infill. Where we can, it'll be important to politically push for zero side setbacks in exchange for other concessions (reduced lot coverage or deeper rear setback), for the most livable eventual urban buildout.
The results from Toronto's Finch West project suggest it will be very important for the function of Muni Metro's on-surface CBTC system to be worked out well before it is installed.
For people not familiar with the matter: any tram line I'm aware of globally works in so-called "line-of-sight", i.e. it's 100% manually operated by the driver with some protection for single track and switches
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
None use PTO signaling (i.e. that enforce max speed), except on off-street sections
We’ve blown hundreds of millions on a “high performance” signalling system meant for separated railways, that, on a streetcar, simply imposes a more conservative operating regime. Why?
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
- “Safety never stops so we need the safest signalling ever!”
- “LRT is rapid transit, just like the subway!”
December 15, 2025 at 4:30 PM
The results from Toronto's Finch West project suggest it will be very important for the function of Muni Metro's on-surface CBTC system to be worked out well before it is installed.
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
New housing being built in Berkeley's Southside neighborhood: Historic house was moved up into the front yard, 13 apartments built in the back.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
December 15, 2025 at 5:38 AM
New housing being built in Berkeley's Southside neighborhood: Historic house was moved up into the front yard, 13 apartments built in the back.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
The lot is a 50' wide, 125' deep lot, a fairly common lot size in the East Bay. While this was built under the old R-S zoning, Middle Housing is similar.
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Daydreaming about an infill station at Solano Ave and fifty mixed use towers.
December 14, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Daydreaming about an infill station at Solano Ave and fifty mixed use towers.
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Get involved in getting Bay Area transit funding on the ballot in 2026!
Volunteers are needed for:
- Events
- Graphic design
- Translation
- Research
- Presentations
- Community outreach
and more!
www.seamlessbayarea.org/about-transi...
Volunteers are needed for:
- Events
- Graphic design
- Translation
- Research
- Presentations
- Community outreach
and more!
www.seamlessbayarea.org/about-transi...
Save Bay Area Transit, Regional Transit Funding Measure — Seamless Bay Area
www.seamlessbayarea.org
December 14, 2025 at 7:47 AM
Get involved in getting Bay Area transit funding on the ballot in 2026!
Volunteers are needed for:
- Events
- Graphic design
- Translation
- Research
- Presentations
- Community outreach
and more!
www.seamlessbayarea.org/about-transi...
Volunteers are needed for:
- Events
- Graphic design
- Translation
- Research
- Presentations
- Community outreach
and more!
www.seamlessbayarea.org/about-transi...
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Consultants contracted by Minnesota found that an eight-story single-stair building with 6,000 sq. ft. per floor (building 4) has dramatically lower fire risk than a same-height code-compliant two-stair building with a larger floor plate (building 1) www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
December 12, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Consultants contracted by Minnesota found that an eight-story single-stair building with 6,000 sq. ft. per floor (building 4) has dramatically lower fire risk than a same-height code-compliant two-stair building with a larger floor plate (building 1) www.dli.mn.gov/sites/defaul...
Interesting visit & post. Intuition has it that HSR's new focus on completing the Pacheco tunnel for SF to Palmdale, via PPP coming soon, has the potential to defer completion of the Merced branch that has previously been on the initial operating segment.
Great to host Merced Mayor Matthew Serratto in Sacramento today. We look forward to continuing constructive engagement with Merced as we work together to deliver high-speed rail throughout California.
December 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Interesting visit & post. Intuition has it that HSR's new focus on completing the Pacheco tunnel for SF to Palmdale, via PPP coming soon, has the potential to defer completion of the Merced branch that has previously been on the initial operating segment.
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Haste was just repaved without any safety improvements and guess what? People are speeding!
December 11, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Haste was just repaved without any safety improvements and guess what? People are speeding!
Reposted by Infrastructure Weak
Use your crews to steadily improve speed and reliability for your main transit lines -- esp rail.
Start with paint, plastic + signal prioritization.
Measure + adjust.
Shift to concrete as funds available.
www.inglesidelight.com/san-francisc...
www.sfmta.com/projects/k-i...
Start with paint, plastic + signal prioritization.
Measure + adjust.
Shift to concrete as funds available.
www.inglesidelight.com/san-francisc...
www.sfmta.com/projects/k-i...
Ingleside's Ocean Avenue To Get Red Lanes In January
Crews will start the month-long work painting the avenue's inside lanes red from Junipero Serra Boulevard to Lee Avenue in January.
www.inglesidelight.com
December 11, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Use your crews to steadily improve speed and reliability for your main transit lines -- esp rail.
Start with paint, plastic + signal prioritization.
Measure + adjust.
Shift to concrete as funds available.
www.inglesidelight.com/san-francisc...
www.sfmta.com/projects/k-i...
Start with paint, plastic + signal prioritization.
Measure + adjust.
Shift to concrete as funds available.
www.inglesidelight.com/san-francisc...
www.sfmta.com/projects/k-i...
This ridiculous new post by Strong Towns correctly identifies a problem - we build too many failing transit capital projects - and completely misses the mark with its proposed solutions - stopping federal funding for them and instead making projects small and phased.
Are Federal Transit Grants Hurting, Not Helping, Public Transportation? | Strong Towns
Three case studies reveal how top-down funding creates rigidity, waste, and systems that cities cannot afford to fix or abandon.
www.strongtowns.org
December 11, 2025 at 8:33 PM
This ridiculous new post by Strong Towns correctly identifies a problem - we build too many failing transit capital projects - and completely misses the mark with its proposed solutions - stopping federal funding for them and instead making projects small and phased.
I don't have anything to contribute except to say that it's maddeningly unjust that you can qualify for housing assistance but not receive it for lack of funding. 56,000 families could be kicked out of stable homes by the early cancellation of this program.
4/4 Researchers estimate that a ~3.3% increase in the 2025 annual Housing Choice Voucher budget would allow the program to absorb all current Emergency Housing Vouchers, significantly reducing the risk of returns to homelessness for recipients.
ternercenter.berkeley.edu/blog/the-pot...
ternercenter.berkeley.edu/blog/the-pot...
The Potential End of Emergency Housing Voucher Funding: Public Housing Agencies’ Search for Solutions - Terner Center
Authors: Christi Economy, Research Associate Ryan Finnigan, Deputy Director of Research Claudia Aiken, Director of New Research Partnerships, NYU Furman Center Ellie Lochhead, Doctoral Fellow, NYU Fur...
ternercenter.berkeley.edu
December 11, 2025 at 5:36 PM
I don't have anything to contribute except to say that it's maddeningly unjust that you can qualify for housing assistance but not receive it for lack of funding. 56,000 families could be kicked out of stable homes by the early cancellation of this program.
Phooey, not yet getting free transfers on my actual Clipper card.
They say it will take 2-3 months to migrate everybody to the new system, which is the kind of timing that makes me want someone to show me the office where the fancy computer is so I can go try to fix it with a wrench.
They say it will take 2-3 months to migrate everybody to the new system, which is the kind of timing that makes me want someone to show me the office where the fancy computer is so I can go try to fix it with a wrench.
December 11, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Phooey, not yet getting free transfers on my actual Clipper card.
They say it will take 2-3 months to migrate everybody to the new system, which is the kind of timing that makes me want someone to show me the office where the fancy computer is so I can go try to fix it with a wrench.
They say it will take 2-3 months to migrate everybody to the new system, which is the kind of timing that makes me want someone to show me the office where the fancy computer is so I can go try to fix it with a wrench.