Comments on: Make Street Intersections PAY a PROFIT http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/ Yesterday's tomorrow, today. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 10:00:37 -0800 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Richard C http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-983460 Richard C Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:39:45 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/#comment-983460 It's not the intersection that "pays a profit", it's the commercial building that does so. If you put the commercial building in the middle of the block, it'd pay the same profit, and it would be simpler to construct there, too. Put it on that empty corner lot just to the left of its present position, and it's even easier and cheaper to build there, so its profit will be even higher. He's combined two ideas: that of using overpass/underpasses to separate traffic, and that of constructing office buildings on top of the real estate used by streets. The former is reasonable under some circumstances, the latter rarely so. Imagine when a gasoline tanker crashes and catches fire under the building, like happened in Oakland's MacArthur Maze awhile back, causing the overpass to fall down. It’s not the intersection that “pays a profit”, it’s the commercial building that does so. If you put the commercial building in the middle of the block, it’d pay the same profit, and it would be simpler to construct there, too. Put it on that empty corner lot just to the left of its present position, and it’s even easier and cheaper to build there, so its profit will be even higher.

He’s combined two ideas: that of using overpass/underpasses to separate traffic, and that of constructing office buildings on top of the real estate used by streets. The former is reasonable under some circumstances, the latter rarely so.

Imagine when a gasoline tanker crashes and catches fire under the building, like happened in Oakland’s MacArthur Maze awhile back, causing the overpass to fall down.

]]> By: glindsey http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-983208 glindsey Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:45:37 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/#comment-983208 Actually, I think the idea was that the pedestrians would be at ground level, with the east-west traffic below them and the north-south traffic above them. Interesting concept, except for the problems noted above -- no left turns would make for some crazy navigation in the city, and large trucks would definitely be an issue (though I'll bet the designer assumed all cargo would be transported through an extensive rail system). And can you imagine one of these at every single city street intersection? You'd constantly be going up and down ramps, trying to get around! Actually, I think the idea was that the pedestrians would be at ground level, with the east-west traffic below them and the north-south traffic above them. Interesting concept, except for the problems noted above — no left turns would make for some crazy navigation in the city, and large trucks would definitely be an issue (though I’ll bet the designer assumed all cargo would be transported through an extensive rail system). And can you imagine one of these at every single city street intersection? You’d constantly be going up and down ramps, trying to get around!

]]> By: Stannous http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-982011 Stannous Wed, 02 Jan 2008 05:43:51 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/#comment-982011 And I didn't think about it until later but if one street goes under there is no reason for the other to go up. I can't believe they granted a patent on this silliness. And I didn’t think about it until later but if one street goes under there is no reason for the other to go up.

I can’t believe they granted a patent on this silliness.

]]> By: Rick Auricchio http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-981614 Rick Auricchio Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:29:23 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/#comment-981614 The beacons are a nice touch. They assume the air is polluted enough so that an aviator can see the beam pointing toward the airport. The beacons are a nice touch.

They assume the air is polluted enough so that an aviator can see the beam pointing toward the airport.

]]> By: Rick Auricchio http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-981609 Rick Auricchio Wed, 02 Jan 2008 02:27:56 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/#comment-981609 Or a large truck tries to get through. Or a large truck tries to get through.

]]> By: Stannous http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-980190 Stannous Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:52:21 +0000 http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2008/01/01/make-street-intersections-pay-a-profit/#comment-980190 Works great unless some troublemaker wants to make a left turn. Works great unless some troublemaker wants to make a left turn.

]]>