Tonami Playman
@tonamiplayman.bsky.social
Data, Transit, and Energy
Reposted by Tonami Playman
State capacity is when you have an entire, publicly available set of manuals and standard design solutions for tunnels (and every other component of railways), and the relative reference cost library, also publicly available and updated yearly.
March 21, 2025 at 5:45 PM
State capacity is when you have an entire, publicly available set of manuals and standard design solutions for tunnels (and every other component of railways), and the relative reference cost library, also publicly available and updated yearly.
Reposted by Tonami Playman
People have long asked for videos on Africa. I didn't end up doing that, but I just wrote a HUGE blog post on urban rail in the continent, which is worth checking out as an intro! (Also consider subscribing to the blog!)
reecemartin.ca/140030623/ur...
reecemartin.ca/140030623/ur...
Urban Rail in Africa
One thing people have long requested from me is coverage of Africa. This is, sadly, one of the few big items I never got around to tackling in a big way, for a number of reasons — lack of good phot…
reecemartin.ca
March 16, 2025 at 9:54 PM
People have long asked for videos on Africa. I didn't end up doing that, but I just wrote a HUGE blog post on urban rail in the continent, which is worth checking out as an intro! (Also consider subscribing to the blog!)
reecemartin.ca/140030623/ur...
reecemartin.ca/140030623/ur...
Reposted by Tonami Playman
This story from Charleston, SC shows why on-demand transit can't scale:
1️⃣ Transit agency offers those 55+ $21 off 20 monthly Uber/Lyft rides if they pay $4/trip
2️⃣ Seniors sign up in droves, blowing the budget
3️⃣ Transit agency quickly tightens eligibility, lowers subsidy by 1/3, & raises copay 25%
1️⃣ Transit agency offers those 55+ $21 off 20 monthly Uber/Lyft rides if they pay $4/trip
2️⃣ Seniors sign up in droves, blowing the budget
3️⃣ Transit agency quickly tightens eligibility, lowers subsidy by 1/3, & raises copay 25%
CARTA cuts an Uber/Lyft subsidy for older residents after this column made it popular
The transit agency in Charleston S.C. has for years offered older residents vouchers for discounted Uber and Lyft rides, but now that the program's become popular cutbacks are coming.
www.postandcourier.com
March 6, 2025 at 1:02 PM
This story from Charleston, SC shows why on-demand transit can't scale:
1️⃣ Transit agency offers those 55+ $21 off 20 monthly Uber/Lyft rides if they pay $4/trip
2️⃣ Seniors sign up in droves, blowing the budget
3️⃣ Transit agency quickly tightens eligibility, lowers subsidy by 1/3, & raises copay 25%
1️⃣ Transit agency offers those 55+ $21 off 20 monthly Uber/Lyft rides if they pay $4/trip
2️⃣ Seniors sign up in droves, blowing the budget
3️⃣ Transit agency quickly tightens eligibility, lowers subsidy by 1/3, & raises copay 25%
Reposted by Tonami Playman
Interesting data about rail in France
12% fewer high speed train services, and some stations with even 20% fewer trains (all the red dots), BUT passenger numbers *up* (bigger trains, and filling them more)
Source: www.autorite-transports.fr/actualites/l...
12% fewer high speed train services, and some stations with even 20% fewer trains (all the red dots), BUT passenger numbers *up* (bigger trains, and filling them more)
Source: www.autorite-transports.fr/actualites/l...
March 3, 2025 at 12:13 PM
Interesting data about rail in France
12% fewer high speed train services, and some stations with even 20% fewer trains (all the red dots), BUT passenger numbers *up* (bigger trains, and filling them more)
Source: www.autorite-transports.fr/actualites/l...
12% fewer high speed train services, and some stations with even 20% fewer trains (all the red dots), BUT passenger numbers *up* (bigger trains, and filling them more)
Source: www.autorite-transports.fr/actualites/l...
Reposted by Tonami Playman
Former SF Central Subway project director says the line should be extended to North Beach:
"The tunnels are all the way up to Columbus. You can build a station over there right now with minimal expense... That would bring in a lot of ridership.”
missionlocal.org/2025/03/cent...
"The tunnels are all the way up to Columbus. You can build a station over there right now with minimal expense... That would bring in a lot of ridership.”
missionlocal.org/2025/03/cent...
The Central Subway has been shut down. Will anyone notice?
The Central Subway came in years late and some $400M over budget. But that would be okay (sort of) if people rode it. But they don't.
missionlocal.org
March 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Former SF Central Subway project director says the line should be extended to North Beach:
"The tunnels are all the way up to Columbus. You can build a station over there right now with minimal expense... That would bring in a lot of ridership.”
missionlocal.org/2025/03/cent...
"The tunnels are all the way up to Columbus. You can build a station over there right now with minimal expense... That would bring in a lot of ridership.”
missionlocal.org/2025/03/cent...
Reposted by Tonami Playman
New blog in which I try to sort out the good and the bad from the "15 min cities" and the Paris approach to urbanism. In short: cycle lanes and traffic calming are good, NIMBYism is bad.
Note the professor who Paris credits as co-inventor of the concept says it's an alternative to "faster metros".
Note the professor who Paris credits as co-inventor of the concept says it's an alternative to "faster metros".
Railway suburbs instead of 15 min cities
The « 15 min city » movement proposes a lot of improvements for public streets and squares in urban areas, deprioritising cars in transport planning in favour of pedestrians, …
metrovelododo.wordpress.com
February 20, 2025 at 9:00 PM
New blog in which I try to sort out the good and the bad from the "15 min cities" and the Paris approach to urbanism. In short: cycle lanes and traffic calming are good, NIMBYism is bad.
Note the professor who Paris credits as co-inventor of the concept says it's an alternative to "faster metros".
Note the professor who Paris credits as co-inventor of the concept says it's an alternative to "faster metros".
Reposted by Tonami Playman
HOT RESEARCH NEWS!
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
February 17, 2025 at 7:45 AM
HOT RESEARCH NEWS!
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Motonormativity ("car brain") is a bias that stops people making rational judgements about driving en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Motonor...
Our new study shows where this bias comes from AND how it makes people think they're odd for supporting changes to the transport system 🧵
Wheelbase and Foot Print (Wheelbase X Width) determines the weight of a car.
The same wheelbase constraint also determines the battery capacity. LFP battery packs are in the 12 to 15kWh/m2 range, while NMC/NCA are in the 16-18kWh/m2 range.
The same wheelbase constraint also determines the battery capacity. LFP battery packs are in the 12 to 15kWh/m2 range, while NMC/NCA are in the 16-18kWh/m2 range.
February 17, 2025 at 9:10 AM
Wheelbase and Foot Print (Wheelbase X Width) determines the weight of a car.
The same wheelbase constraint also determines the battery capacity. LFP battery packs are in the 12 to 15kWh/m2 range, while NMC/NCA are in the 16-18kWh/m2 range.
The same wheelbase constraint also determines the battery capacity. LFP battery packs are in the 12 to 15kWh/m2 range, while NMC/NCA are in the 16-18kWh/m2 range.
Reposted by Tonami Playman
Also spotted: a "tram gate", a common solution used in Zurich to give priority to trams where there isn't enough space to fit island platforms with lateral lanes for both directions.
February 17, 2025 at 4:22 AM
Also spotted: a "tram gate", a common solution used in Zurich to give priority to trams where there isn't enough space to fit island platforms with lateral lanes for both directions.
Reposted by Tonami Playman
Interesting what is going on with Mumbai Ahmedabad HSL. Where India has announced they will initially install ETCS and use hypothetical domestically developed ~250kph class trains. Then install Japanese signaling and import a hypothetical Shinkansen trains in the 2030s. (1/6)
Indian Bullet train, not Japanese, to run first on Mumbai-Ahmedabad high-speed rail corridor
As per the plan, the indigenously built Indian Bullet train with 280 kmph maximum speed will run from 2030 to 2033 between Mumbai and Ahmedabad and the Japanese bullet train will launch its operations...
www.financialexpress.com
January 25, 2025 at 4:16 AM
Interesting what is going on with Mumbai Ahmedabad HSL. Where India has announced they will initially install ETCS and use hypothetical domestically developed ~250kph class trains. Then install Japanese signaling and import a hypothetical Shinkansen trains in the 2030s. (1/6)
Reposted by Tonami Playman
Not just electric vehicles
Here's the pace of Chinese cities' metro construction over the past few years
Here's the pace of Chinese cities' metro construction over the past few years
January 27, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Not just electric vehicles
Here's the pace of Chinese cities' metro construction over the past few years
Here's the pace of Chinese cities' metro construction over the past few years
Every media outlet lists the Lagos Blue Line as 13km because that's the official info from LAMATA, but actual "service trackage", the distance between the terminal stations is 12km.
January 23, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Every media outlet lists the Lagos Blue Line as 13km because that's the official info from LAMATA, but actual "service trackage", the distance between the terminal stations is 12km.
Reposted by Tonami Playman
Eurostar to stop selling tickets to 'Any Belgian Station' from 31 March, you'll need to buy a separate ticket from Brussels to your Belgian destination.
Multi-modal integration? The rail industry can't even manage single-mode integration, even if it already exists!
help.eurostar.com/faq/uk-en/qu...
Multi-modal integration? The rail industry can't even manage single-mode integration, even if it already exists!
help.eurostar.com/faq/uk-en/qu...
January 13, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Eurostar to stop selling tickets to 'Any Belgian Station' from 31 March, you'll need to buy a separate ticket from Brussels to your Belgian destination.
Multi-modal integration? The rail industry can't even manage single-mode integration, even if it already exists!
help.eurostar.com/faq/uk-en/qu...
Multi-modal integration? The rail industry can't even manage single-mode integration, even if it already exists!
help.eurostar.com/faq/uk-en/qu...
The hardest working transmission tower in the world.
- 132kV transmission line above
- Street below
- Roundabout
- Clothes dryer
- Signpost
Location - Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- 132kV transmission line above
- Street below
- Roundabout
- Clothes dryer
- Signpost
Location - Port Harcourt, Nigeria
January 12, 2025 at 11:12 PM
The hardest working transmission tower in the world.
- 132kV transmission line above
- Street below
- Roundabout
- Clothes dryer
- Signpost
Location - Port Harcourt, Nigeria
- 132kV transmission line above
- Street below
- Roundabout
- Clothes dryer
- Signpost
Location - Port Harcourt, Nigeria
Sony and Honda just launched an EV that is already outdated, underwhelming specs that are worse than existing EVs from Lucid, Tesla, & Hyundai, yet it starts delivery in mid-2026.
Hey, at least it comes with an onboard PlayStation 5.
Hey, at least it comes with an onboard PlayStation 5.
Sony and Honda’s Afeela electric car will start at $89,900
Sony and Honda’s Afeela electric car will start at $89,900
The Afeela is coming into focus.
buff.ly
January 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Sony and Honda just launched an EV that is already outdated, underwhelming specs that are worse than existing EVs from Lucid, Tesla, & Hyundai, yet it starts delivery in mid-2026.
Hey, at least it comes with an onboard PlayStation 5.
Hey, at least it comes with an onboard PlayStation 5.
The Abuja 2nd Runway Project is currently under construction. Construction started in Oct 2023 and was projected to be completed in 12 months. The ₦92 billion ( US$57 million) project will add a 2nd runway to the airport. The latest satellite image is from Feb 2024.
January 4, 2025 at 7:21 AM
The Abuja 2nd Runway Project is currently under construction. Construction started in Oct 2023 and was projected to be completed in 12 months. The ₦92 billion ( US$57 million) project will add a 2nd runway to the airport. The latest satellite image is from Feb 2024.
When you design a good metro alignment and run proper services from day 1 you get good ridership.
The HCMC metro is already averaging 114k daily riders within the first 8 days of operations.
A good alignment & running 8 min headways (200 daily trips) at start go a long way.
The HCMC metro is already averaging 114k daily riders within the first 8 days of operations.
A good alignment & running 8 min headways (200 daily trips) at start go a long way.
January 2, 2025 at 8:56 AM
When you design a good metro alignment and run proper services from day 1 you get good ridership.
The HCMC metro is already averaging 114k daily riders within the first 8 days of operations.
A good alignment & running 8 min headways (200 daily trips) at start go a long way.
The HCMC metro is already averaging 114k daily riders within the first 8 days of operations.
A good alignment & running 8 min headways (200 daily trips) at start go a long way.
Reposted by Tonami Playman
In the 1660s, this French philosopher came up with an invention that solved the problem of urban transport forever.
It had nothing to do with Robo-taxis, flying cars, or Tesla Tunnels.
🧵
It had nothing to do with Robo-taxis, flying cars, or Tesla Tunnels.
🧵
December 27, 2024 at 4:08 PM
In the 1660s, this French philosopher came up with an invention that solved the problem of urban transport forever.
It had nothing to do with Robo-taxis, flying cars, or Tesla Tunnels.
🧵
It had nothing to do with Robo-taxis, flying cars, or Tesla Tunnels.
🧵
On Dec 22 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City metro line 1 opened to the public after a 12 yr construction period. The 19.7km line with 14 stations will be Vietnam's 2nd metro line after the 13km Hanoi metro opened in 2021.
December 24, 2024 at 11:17 PM
On Dec 22 2024, the Ho Chi Minh City metro line 1 opened to the public after a 12 yr construction period. The 19.7km line with 14 stations will be Vietnam's 2nd metro line after the 13km Hanoi metro opened in 2021.
Trans European HSR journeys will always suffer due to the fragmentation of 300+km/h sections and country specific service like Switzerland that slows all the trains down to meet their clock-face schedule.
You get OK sections like
Paris-Montpellier
597km - 3.5hrs - 170kph avg
You get OK sections like
Paris-Montpellier
597km - 3.5hrs - 170kph avg
December 17, 2024 at 8:13 AM
Trans European HSR journeys will always suffer due to the fragmentation of 300+km/h sections and country specific service like Switzerland that slows all the trains down to meet their clock-face schedule.
You get OK sections like
Paris-Montpellier
597km - 3.5hrs - 170kph avg
You get OK sections like
Paris-Montpellier
597km - 3.5hrs - 170kph avg
Reposted by Tonami Playman
The ability to afford a metro system comes naturally with fast growth; what's important is to be tolerant of jitneys and not try to eliminate them prematurely, the way Malaysia did and Nigeria would like to, just because they make the rich minority that drives uncomfortable.
December 15, 2024 at 12:20 PM
The ability to afford a metro system comes naturally with fast growth; what's important is to be tolerant of jitneys and not try to eliminate them prematurely, the way Malaysia did and Nigeria would like to, just because they make the rich minority that drives uncomfortable.
Tesla has the highest fatal accident rate of all auto brands.
Of course, this is not surprising when Tesla is using their customers as guinea pigs for "Autopilot" testing.
Of course, this is not surprising when Tesla is using their customers as guinea pigs for "Autopilot" testing.
December 14, 2024 at 3:14 PM
Tesla has the highest fatal accident rate of all auto brands.
Of course, this is not surprising when Tesla is using their customers as guinea pigs for "Autopilot" testing.
Of course, this is not surprising when Tesla is using their customers as guinea pigs for "Autopilot" testing.
This is a good thing, actually. The more these autonomous vehicle programs fail, the quicker we can validate that robotaxis were a waste of time.
Cruise is shutting down.
GM has pulled its funding. The company now “seeks to focus autonomous vehicle development on personally owned vehicles.”
If you care about the future of cities and climate, GM’s plans should send shivers.
www.theverge.com/2024/12/10/2...
GM has pulled its funding. The company now “seeks to focus autonomous vehicle development on personally owned vehicles.”
If you care about the future of cities and climate, GM’s plans should send shivers.
www.theverge.com/2024/12/10/2...
Cruise’s robotaxi service will shut down as GM pulls its funding
Cruise is out.
www.theverge.com
December 11, 2024 at 1:30 AM
This is a good thing, actually. The more these autonomous vehicle programs fail, the quicker we can validate that robotaxis were a waste of time.
Reposted by Tonami Playman
On-demand transit or "microtransit" has always been wildly expensive per passenger compared to fixed route buses. You do it because the few people you're serving are important for some reason other than ridership or cost-effectiveness. 1/
December 10, 2024 at 2:38 PM
On-demand transit or "microtransit" has always been wildly expensive per passenger compared to fixed route buses. You do it because the few people you're serving are important for some reason other than ridership or cost-effectiveness. 1/