More on Green Transporation Systems

- Wave Energy Technology

Dual-use applications of wave energy technology may prove cost-effective in the near term. For example, power generation technologies could be incorporated into breakwaters, harbor walls, or other structures, or they could be integrated with other commercial activities, acting as artificial reefs for mariculture operations or as platforms for desalination facilities. - view related link

- Electric Cars

We already have the technology we need to cure our addiction to oil, stabilize the climate and maintain our standard of living, all at the same time. By transitioning to sustainable technologies, such as solar and wind power, we can achieve energy independence and stabilize human-induced climate change. - view related link

- LA to SF Bullet Train

As if the announcement of a high-speed rail line that will go from San Francisco to Los Angeles in 2 hours and 40 minutes isn’t exciting enough, Navigant Consulting now claims that the bullet train can run with zero greenhouse gas emissions. - view related link

- Solar Powered Taxi Carts

The Kudo is a versatile, sporty vehicle that will turn heads with its unique, stylish look. Available in both traditional electric or solar-powered models with seating up to 14 people. Earn Solar Tax Credits with solar model purchase! - view related link

Dreaming Beyond Old Railroads and New Bike Trails
by Nicholas Pablo

October 20, 2009

This day in Humboldt County history may mark the key battle in Victory for one of these competing groups. The elections for Bay Commissioners or something along those lines pits candidates from both parties against each other. One side is the North Coast Railroad Authority hoping to restore the old railroad route between Willits in Mendocino and the Humboldt Bay. This party also hopes to see the Humboldt Bay turned into a thriving port city. On the other side is the post 2003 to present fighters against the increase in gas prices advocated by the bike dont drive Trails for Rails party. They hope to tear down the old railroad and build a nice bike trail between varies cities on the old tracks. Many of these folks were probably also in on the original Arcata Master Bike Plan from the 1970s.

While the details of the arguments are messy and convoluted one fact remains: both are outdated forms of transportation in this modern age. I suppose bikes are technically greener than railroads and port cities which is why the trails for rails argument seems to hold a lot of weight. A nice bike trail might also draw tourists in the same way a tourist railroad might do. And lets not fool ourselves, the cost restrictions of maintenance alone on returning the railroad to commercial-industrial use are so absurd a new train will only at best be a tourist attraction.

Yet, I think there is a glaring problem with both issues. Neither truly address the needs of Humboldt County going into the 21st Century. Thinking that we can back to the age of railroads or the even older time period of bicycles as the primary transportation both seem foolish and relatively absurb. What is lacking in both plans is a futuristic vision for Humboldt County. We don't need a railroad we need a bullet train. We don't need a bike path, we need a solar-powered cart route (that bikes could also use). If Humboldt County is going to hold any position on tourism in the new green future we need to go green and go big! While it may seem bikes are the path to this goal, they are in actuality just a quaint notion. There are never going to be any goods transported by bikes again (except maybe letters in a metropolis like San Francisco).

If were going to try to push some sort of public transporation for the future we could start on something as simple as the local bus routes. The Arcata Mad River Transit System (AMRTS) alone is absurdly inefficient. It can take damn near an hour to travel from Sunny Brae to the Arcata Plaza or North Arcata. I have never bothered try to use the Eureka Bus system as it would take a hour to get to Eureka on the Redwood Transit Authority and then who knows how long from there. But even green bus technology, I believe, is an outdated form of transportation. Both buses and bikes are both relatively ineffcient mass transit in such a rainy climate as ours.

This is my vision of a green transporation system in Humboldt County that will not only draw visitors but address both sides dreams. We need one major bullet train that runs from Trinidad in Northern Humboldt to Garberville in Southern Humboldt. This could ideally be powered by solar or especially wave technology (since PG&E is already developing said technology in Humboldt County). While many might abhor the notion of wave generators reaching out into the ocean, they might be well disguised by lovely wood piers stretching out into the ocean off the Humboldt Bay, Trinidad or parts of the Lost Coast. This train would travel in the 100 mph range so Arcata to Eureka would be an extremely short 6 minute trip and Garberville to Eureka could be done in half the current time (40 min).

From the main bullet train hubs in Trinidad, Arcata, Eureka, Fortuna, Scotia. Myer's Flat and Garberville there would auxillary transportation systems. These would be solar-powered microtaxi's, park and drive facilities or community bike library portals. The speed limits on intra-city would be reduced to 25 mph to allow for golf cart type vehicles and bicycles to safety travel among the current car technology. Anyone who thinks this kind of system can't be implemented hasn't been to Mazatlan, Mexico and seen their awesome use of Pulmonia's or suped up covered Golf Carts for taxis.

The implementation of this kind of bullet train should hopefully satisfy the railroad backers who need to step out of the 19th Century and into the 21st Century anyway. Having the bicycle portion be more limited to cities might not completely satisfy the goal of the trails not rails party. They will continue to want some sort of Bike route between cities mostly for exercise sakes I guess. I think one ideal solution is to bring back the original Route 1 highway from Northern Mendocino to Central Humboldt. This is an ideal proposal because parts of this old proposed route 1 are now being converted to the Paradise Royale Mountain Bike Trails just north of Shelter Cove. A new plan for construction on this historic tourist route would need  to adequately address the ability for hiker bikers and bike tourists to use this new scenic tourist route right alongside cars. What an awesome bicycle route with direct bike access to the highly respected new BLM Bike Trails in King Range National Conservation Area. The construction of bike routes between Arcata and Blue Lake, as well as between Fortuna and Ferndale would complete the intracity routes from the major train hubs and allow bikers to travel to scenic biking destinations with ease on green transportation.

Obviously, many parts of this plan will seem like a pipe dream. But starting to dream big is what we truly need. Our solutions can be based on relics of the past, but in order to drive the new green future of the 21st century we need innovative and attention grabbing projects that will truly put Humboldt County on the map (for something besides marijuana and redwoods anyway).