Steve Eldridge: Metro plans for the future

The simple truth is that planning for purchases this big has to be done years and years in advance. It would be a travesty if all that track was laid and there were no train cars to run on it. Of course, the cost for these new cars is going to require a re-analysis of the funding mechanisms within Metro and that might result in some more lively debate. Throw in the fact that Loudoun County is being added to the Metro compact in 2008 and the battle could get very interesting between the District and the suburbs. As we have noted in the past, the District would like to see the funding compact changed because it feels that it pays a disproportionate amount already. Add to that the increasing needs of the suburbs for more service and the case is even stronger. Did anyone mention a dedicated funding source? It may take some time for the new administrations in Maryland and Virginia to figure out how to make that work.

More enforcement needed for handicapped parking

Ernie writes: “Thank you for finally making a mention of one of the most frequently committed crimes in the Washington region. People parking in designated handicapped spaces is against the law. These laws are posted at just about every one of the spaces, so there is no excuse. The problem is that the police never enforce the posted law, making it seem like a joke. The problem is that people like me rely on and need these spaces but if the police don’t enforce the law, what can we do? I have tried what you said about getting the property management people to take a stand and to at least put signs on these people’s cars but they just ignore the problem. It seems like there are just too many self-centered people around here and everyone is just interested in themselves.”

I’ll bet that there are more HOV violators on any given day, but your point is well-taken. It’s a shame that people have no little regard for the needs of others. Since the laws and, in many cases, the fines are clearly posted it’s amazing that so many people simply ignore them. A little respect and more enforcement would be a big help.

History of traffic circles

Call them “roundabouts” or “rotaries” or just plain old “traffic circles.” By any name, they are becoming more and more popular. Washington’s famous traffic circles weren’t designed as traffic calming devices (they were frequently places where cannons could be located in the event of an attack), but they accomplish the same thing. So many traffic circles are being built that the Federal Highway Administration’s Development, Research and Technology Unit has developed a guidebook for their use. This group says that the first modern roundabouts were built outside of Las Vegas in 1990 even though they’ve been used in England for decades. I guess the Fairfax Circle doesn’t count.