"Wisdom begins in wonder" – Socrates
Category: Urban Systems
Why Cramped Living Spaces Allow Diseases to Spread Faster
03/29/23
“Why do cramped living spaces allow diseases to spread faster?”
Diseases often spread through close proximity. When people are forced to live together in very tight spaces, this makes it very easy for such travel to occur. This is Why Cramped Living Spaces Allows Diseases to Spread Faster.
Train Stop Signal Overruns
03/27/23
“What happens when trains overrun stop signals?”
Trains are expected to stop at stop signals. But when they don’t, it can cause great damage and can even lead to lives lost. Called Train Stop Signal Overruns in U.S. terminology, train companies will often put great efforts into preventing such occurrences.
Why Underinvestment Led to the 2023 Greek Train Crash
03/26/23
“Why did corruption lead to the 2023 Greek train crash?”
The 2023 Greek train crash has thrown the Mediterranean nation into a crisis. Dozens of people have lost their lives, and trust in government institutions has collapsed. But what exactly caused such mayhem? Well, over the past decade and a half, The Greek economy has been hit by multiple crises. After 2011 the remote surveillance and signaling system near the town of Larissa had fallen apart, and efforts to rebuild it have failed. This left the train system no way to avoid the collision rapidly. This is Why Underinvestment Led to the 2023 Greek Train Crash.
Image credit: static.politico.com
Why High-Speed Rail Can Increase National Cohesion
03/24/23
“Why can high-speed rail increase national cohesion?”
Communities being in close contact with each other can increase the cohesion felt between them. One of the ways contact is facilitated is by transport. The easier and quicker it is for communities to one another, the more together they will feel. With high-speed rail, this form of contact increases dramatically. People from Towns and cities hundreds of kilometers apart can get together in time, forming stronger bonds. This is Why High-Speed Rail Can Increase National Cohesion.
Why Tearing Down a Damaged Highway After a Disaster May Be More Financially Reasonable Than Rebuilding
03/23/23
“Why may tearing down a damaged highway after a disaster be more financially reasonable than rebuilding?”
When highways are rendered unusable from an earthquake, many peoples’ first inclination is to rebuild them. However, sometimes it might be more financially reasonable to completely tear it down. Take for example the Embarcadero Freeway. When it collapsed during the 1989 Loma Prieta Earthquake, cost estimates found that building a boulevard in its place would be nearly $20 million USD less expensive. The removal of such a barrier has also made the neighborhood more commercially viable, with shops, housing, and new jobs lining up everywhere. This just goes to show Why Tearing Down a Damaged Highway After a Disaster May Be More Financially Reasonable Than Rebuilding.
Why Removing Freeways Can Spur People to Take Transit
03/22/23
“Why can removing freeways spur people to take transit?”
Freeways are one of the biggest killers of transit. These colossal structures barricade neighborhoods, spout pollution, and make non-automobile travel difficult. But if freeways are torn down, then this paradigm will change. Barriers that prevented people from moving through will be gone. These can be replaced with green, breathable transit oriented spaces. Disincentivizing car use will also make transit a more appealing option. San Francisco’s Freeway teardown is an example. Once it was broken in the 1989 Loma Prieta earthquake, not only did BART (the local rapid transit system) ridership increase by 15%, but the neighborhood soon became one of the most attractive destinations in the city. This is Why Removing Freeways Can Spur People to Take Transit.
Why Drought-Prone Municipalities Should Learn Water Conservation Techniques From Desert Communities
03/21/23
“Why should drought-prone municipalities learn water conservation techniques from desert communities?”
With the advent of climate change, droughts are going to become more and more common for municipalities. This can be very stressful for places that are not used to such events. However, desert communities have lived in low-water conditions for many years. Such learned experience can pave the way for more communities to live in such a similar manner. This is Why Drought-Prone Municipalities Should Learn Water Conservation Techniques From Desert Communities.
Why Government Takeover of Railroad Companies Can Lead to Better Service
03/20/23
“Why can government takeover of railroad companies lead to better service?”
Private railroad companies often prioritize profitability over user experience or actual efficiency. This is because many are beholden to stockholders who are more interested in seeing generous financial returns than quality. But government-run railroad companies mostly run with passengers and citizens in mind, making the experience better. This is Why Government Takeover of Railroad Companies Can Lead to Better Service.
Why Disasters Spur Governments to Enact Reforms
03/19/23
“Why do disasters spur governments to enact reforms?”
Disasters leave great destruction in their path. This is amplified by mismanagement, leading to an escalation of catastrophes. In response, governments often enact reforms to prevent such damage from reoccurring in the future. Examples include wildfire regulations in California due to the destruction of Paradise and the changed energy policy in Japan following Fukushima. This is Why Disasters Spur Governments to Enact Reforms.
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