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vision42 Unveils Results of Technical Studies on Economic Potential, Traffic Implications and Cost Analysis for Proposed Light Rail Transit Pedestrian Mall on 42nd Street NEW YORK, April 18 /PRNewswire/ -- vision42, a citizens' initiative to enhance the quality of life and transportation along Manhattan's 42nd Street corridor, today unveiled the results of three technical studies on the feasibility and benefits of constructing a light rail system and auto-free pedestrian mall in Midtown. "Our city is in compelling need of new solutions for improved surface transportation and quality pedestrian experiences," says Roxanne Warren, AIA, Chair of vision42. "We hired some of the world's leading experts in the areas of light rail, traffic and economics to obtain thorough analyses on how vision42 can and should become a reality," she continued. Key findings of the studies include: -- Cost Estimate, study by Halcrow, LLC, a large UK-based engineering firm with worldwide experience in the design of light rail systems: - vision42's proposed light rail system will cost less to operate than buses, and carry three times as many passengers - NYC may become the home to the world's first fuel-cell propelled light rail line -- Potential Economic Impact, study by Urbanomics, in association with Georges Jacquemart of BFJ Planning, and Amos Ilan Consulting: - Major gains of $3.5 billion in property values due to improved access are anticipated - The consequent annual fiscal benefits of increased City and State tax revenues of $277.1 million per year will cover construction costs in less than two years - An additional net gain of $250.3 million is projected in transportation benefits, such as travel time savings, occupancy increases, higher rents and fewer accidents -- Traffic Analysis, study by Sam Schwartz, PLLC, a transportation planning and engineering firm founded by a former NYC Traffic Commissioner: - With recommended mitigation measures, the closing of 42nd Street to vehicles is feasible, and will offer very positive results for both pedestrians and surface transit. The transition of streets into light rail pedestrian malls has been a winning solution in progressive cities globally, including Amsterdam, Zurich, Houston, San Diego, and Minneapolis. "NYC, with its high density, extensive transit system and low level of auto ownership, is a prime candidate for a light rail/landscaped pedestrian mall," says George Haikalis, ASCE, Co-Chair of vision42 and president of the Institute for Rational Urban Mobility, Inc., the not-for-profit research organization hosting vision42. With vision42, buses will be replaced with river-to-river surface transit by a modern, low-floor light rail line. It is easily and quickly accessible to seniors and persons with wheelchairs or strollers, and runs at a maximum of 15 mph for pedestrians' safety. Stopping at every avenue, it takes only 20 minutes to travel from river-to-river because of the fast boarding and dedicated right-of-way. "Light rail will be a complementary distributor for regional transit. Subways can carry people from a long distance in a hurry, but they do not address the crowded sidewalks and slow, unreliable surface transit -- which is exactly what vision42 does," continues Warren. "Therefore, vision42 is a project that differs from other current transportation considerations, like the #7 extension." Furthermore, "The relatively short route of vision42's light rail makes it an ideal candidate to become the world's first fuel-cell propelled light rail system -- a totally environmentally friendly transportation method, while eliminating the need for overhead wires," concludes Haikalis. For more information about vision42 and the technical studies, please visit http://www.vision42.org. SOURCE vision42 -0- 04/18/2005 /CONTACT: Lynn Schwartz for vision42, +1-973-736-7118/ /Web site: http://www.vision42.org / CO: vision42; Institute for Rational Urban Mobility, Inc. ST: New York IN: TRN TRA SU: LH -- NYM194 -- 5029 04/18/2005 10:35 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com Copyright © 2004 PR Newswire All rights reserved. Subscriptions >
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