@@jaehparrk cars are never going away, that's why we need to develop alternatives so that all 6 million of us aren't on the connector at the same time. A lot of people will need to drive no matter what, we should clear up the roads so they can get where they need to go. Imagine how packed Peachtree would be if every person on a MARTA train was in a car instead
@@jaehparrk literally nobody will stop *you* from navigating your overpriced and depreciating vehicle thru traffic if that’s what *you* prefer, we just want multiple mobility options that are preferably mass passenger, like buses, trams, or trains. The more choices the better. Especially for those with limited income or physical impairment issues.
@@JSM-bb80u China and America/Atlanta are two very different places. There’s a reason there are no autonomous buses serving major cities here at a wide or even notable scale. Even the Walt Disney World Resort relies primarily on full size buses.
@@darkinetix Have you seen Zoox autonomous taxis? Those buses are just a large version of Zoox taxis. Also what do you think about autonomous taxis for areas without enough density for bus routes. Trams and metros are superior to autonomous taxis or buses but they can't services low density rural or exurban areas though.
@@javionriley8739the low capacity of driverless cars would eventually lead to overcrowding and and more traffic jams. Except now the cars are driverless. Light rail is the answer here
@@DavisRyan12what if we just connected all the driverless cars together and made the route the same every time? They could even have their own specialized road that no other vehicles could drive on.. we could even arrange them so that they hit certain spots at specific times regularly so you could always get to where you need to go on time!
The politician needs to listen to the people. They don’t want the autonomous cars, they want more buses and trains. Hate when politicians insist on their own agenda, that’s not what you’re in office to do.
Listen ! I thought the same thing ! But as a mechanical engineer from Columbia South Carolina! I thought to myself!! 1. Adding more buses will cause more congestion (though needed we can’t just keep expanding highways) 2.) heavy rail is understandable but that’s going to force people to move (taking land destroying neighborhoods) Having small autonomous pods on the beltline specifically within their own track separate from the walking trail while having technicians/city workers to assist people with the autonomous car operation! It’s a smart idea “think of a train but your own personalized vehicle to get you from point A to point B the beltline goes across all of Metro Atlanta. It’s a brilliant idea.
@@javionriley8739I think it’s a bit silly and weird but I’m from boston originally and though they removed most of them, we still have a lot of light rail lines that are all well used and appreciated. Some of which have pedestrian trails in the same right of way and the neighborhoods surrounding are all the better for it. Beltline rail already has a ROW provided for rail…what with it having already been a rail line in the past and thus no homes have to be taken nor paths made smaller. They LITERALLY are just chopping down the tall grass next to the paved paths and laying rail. Atlanta is a city in a forest. There’s plenty of grass and trees and that thin patch will not be a major loss at all. It’s literally overgrowth and not anything ancient or protected. It’s frustrating the lengths many TRANSPLANTS will go to stifle making this city more transit friendly. Rail can be expanded on branches to points east west north and south. Into other neighborhoods and help to create a cohesive and efficient grid. All that is needed is political backbone and support but either way I doubt anything will come to fruition in our lifetimes
@@javionriley8739 It's not a good idea. First, heavy rail is not what is being installed on the Beltline. What is being built is light rail, and there is a big difference. Heavy rail is rail that operates like the subway trains of MARTA, while light rail is essentially what the streetcar downtown is. This would not displace anybody because the beltline already has dedicated right of way for this light rail to be built, as it was included in the very first plans for the beltline. These small autonomous pods would not only be harder to implement as they are still a developing technology, but they would diminish social connection because they are basically just cars but smaller, placing everybody in their own little bubble where they will not interact with others.
@@xavierhinesman9558 I wish people would understand that light rail is a tried and true solution; there is plenty of data showing it is a highly effective mode of transportation when properly implemented (The streetcar as it is now with that tiny loop in downtown is poorly implemented, thus the low ridership). This autonomous pod nonsense is a concept that relies on strange logic instead of real data. Newer is not always better.
@@JLR-z8uthere’s crime everywhere. People in Gwinnett (for example) complain about traffic, yet don’t want MARTA in their communities. It just goes on and on.
@@danmcclaren5436 Yes and no. More expansion would make it more accessible to those in further out communities. But more housing near the stations already in place would be great too of course.
All these developments are kinda cool, but what atlanta really, really needs is an expansion of marta's heavy rail. The city is extremely sprawling in every direction, the DC metro reminds a lot of Atlanta metro, yet they have a way better transit system. I hope they stop looking into all these boondogles od transit systems and focus in the one that truly works on moving people, and that is heavy rail.
Would require a lot of state and probably federal support to expand heavy rail. I agree it'd be awesome, but let's not neglect the streetcar we can build now while we hope for heavy rail expansion that may not come
@@yankee8570 Honestly, the current 'OG' section of the streetcar just feels... Really out of the place... Like, why would you build a streetcar ONLY along a section of downtown heavy rail metro (downtown here rightfully suggests that the metro line's stopping distance isn't that large, which means a 'local infill' is probably not necessary). And digging into the backgrounds further it feels to me like that there has been a sad consensus that expansion of MARTA heavy rail metro, the only real option that makes sense for ATL, is now a mostly unrealistic idea. With a lot of 'recent successes' of new urban transit systems based on light rail and maybe some regional commuter rail, yet virtually no metro style heavy rail built or even seriously planned around the country(with exception of only 3 cities, NY, LA, and DC), it seems to me that there circulates this school of thought that ATL should eventually move towards those 'lower orders' of transit to hopefully expand the transit system... (As for example, I would imagine ATL or any city having a much easier time applying for enough federal funding for a light rail, for example, the 'Obama trams', which is probably how ATL got its current streetcar, or even commuter rail, than metros, as a. metros are more expensive, or at least you need a bigger upfront investment to really see anything that works, and b. as described earlier, save for the 3 large cities there's no other successful recent metro projects, so I would imagine the scrutiny and skepticism even stronger.) Which is really odd, sad, and out of place at the same time... Anyways I really hope the beltline extension of the streetcar gets built and up and running soon... That probably can change a lot
As a former Atlanta resident of 4 decades through 2019, I agree. But the rail has to be efficiently fed by other forms of transportation. When we lived in the ATL, the busses ran too infrequently and unreliably to depend on. It wasn't very cycling friendly either. Good luck Atlanta. We have fond memories of living there in the 80s and 90s when it was still a big village.
Need to expand MARTA INSIDE the city before we bring in the suburbs. People who choose to live way out there choose to sit in traffic. Lets take care of people in the city first. Two more E-W lines, one paralleling 10th st, and one on the south side. Let the people who live way out in Cobb and Gwinnett sit in the traffic they chose.
Pod cars are just another example of a weird tech bro gadgetbahn to the public transit solution that already exists. I wish that politicians would listen to expert planners on this stuff.
@@RobertP.Trebor Yeah but I don't think that's what he's talking about. LRTs are like Seattle Link or Vancouver Skytrain. I think the mayor wants the Detroit People Mover
There is no need to reinvent or “innovate” the train. Trams and metro systems work perfectly, which is why the best cities around the world are expanding these services. Atlanta’s mayor is a fool for advocating for alternatives to trams and metro expansion.
big facts it's almost like they wanna be a major city but don't want the responsibility. you cant have it both ways lol. I'd say take a page out of the NY or Boston book and the city will be perfectly fine.
You had me until you started talking about autonomous vehicles... We don't have to reinvent the wheel, just build light rail that will provide higher capacity while also being a much more developed technology.
MARTA needs to expanded in all directions. If neighboring counties want to continue to refuse it, then the state DOT needs to step in. This is a need that affects all of Georgia. In addition, high speed rail needs to expand from Atlanta to Charlotte (through Athens and Greeneville/ Spartanburg) to Nashville (through Chattanooga) to Florida (via Macon and Savannah).
Bruh u are making me cry with this plan of yours 😭. If only this could come true! Also, it would be nice if the Macon one could go down to Miami thru Orlando 😅.
Will never happen. Better to force corporations and government agencies to provide work-from-home options en masse where it's practical and possible like what happened in 2020 and 2021.
@@willia3r You do get that only about 35% of companies can survive with all WFH positions? Many can perhaps be hybrid, but more companies have a business model or a product/service that require the workers to actually come into a brick and mortar location.
Beltline NEEDS the streetcar! The primary reason why the streetcar is currently unpopular is because it doesn't take anyone anywhere! The loop is so small and inconvenient, it's less transit and more tourist attraction. Light rail is a proven mode of mass transit in other cities with similar infrastructure to the beltline and would increase interconnectivity throughout the city
Hi I live in Atlanta. The new MARTA stations on the beltline almost certainly won't happen. The mayor announced them without telling MARTA, the Beltline, or really anyone beforehand. He has no plan to fund them nor the institutional support necessary to get them built. It was likely a move to appease people when he came out against (sorta he keeps flip-flopping) beltline rail. A coalition of developers who own property on the Beltline are trying to get the rail project shut down, even though the Beltline was always envisioned as a transit corridor. I'm not saying it's a perfect project, but rail would certainly have way more capacity than autonomous pods. Plus train tracks surrounded by grass would look way nicer than more concrete and keep the beltline cooler. I def think expanding MARTA heavy rail would be better but I don't think it will happen for a very long time, if ever. Currently Beltline rail is our best shot at upgrading transit.
Not only this which is correct,but a ton of planning, money, and time has been spent on LRT. Environmental studies have already been completed. Abandoning LRT would be wasting millions already spent. I certainly wont vote for the current mayor next time. I want someone who will fight for our priorities, not stick his finger to the wind and turn tail.
@@tamikad3535 I don't think that is true. There has been too much time and money spent on it already, and if the mayor values his job, he will make it more of a priority, but he doesn't seem to be capable of much
Don't forget about the gentrifying impact the beltline is having. It is pushing long-time residents out of their homes when they have nowhere else to go! DONT FORGET!!
That’s what I was wondering. I haven’t seen an example of rapid improvement without displacement Infrastructure projects aren’t community projects unless you make them community projects
Please not the ‘pods’ reinforcing car use even if autonomous is not the way! High density works FAR better by centralizing transportation. More pedestrian and bike only areas and public transit open the city up for everyone not just cars. For this city especially because of its car dependency. Public transit encourages more density simultaneously more walking and biking.
"Wisley consider other options" is a cop out. The only people who are against the belt line LRT are either wealthy, entitled, nimby, carpetbaggers, classist, anti-ADA or all of the above. And the worst part is they don't have to do anything. They just have to muddy the waters enough that nothing gets done, no one will make a decision and then so much time will have passed that it will be too expensive/too difficult to build any transit let alone light rail. Exactly what's been going on with the more Marta Tax. Our leaders only serve the wealthy and real estate developers. Our Mayor is a progressive in name only. Atlanta is one of the worst cities as an example of sustainable development thanks to our politicians both state and local.
As an Atlanta native, First TDC made a video about us!!🗣️ and Second, the rapid growth and development of Atlanta brings a smile to my face, she was first settled as a railroad terminus so its only fair we return back to our roots. If we can become the Chicago of the south the amount of generational wealth and prosperity that would hit atlanta citizens (hopefully) would be nation wide felt!
The classic American viewpoint on public transportation: If it ain't broke, break it. Autonomous vehicles are possibly the worst solution to this problem. Nearly every large European city uses trams, they work, they are a good solution. Put rail on the beltline please and thank you.
@@tabernathy0428Come here and see our quality of life before commenting like this. I wouldn't move to America for oh so many reasons, transit being one of them.
@@tabernathy0428What about public transport that will transform cities into unproductive ones? and what cities are you talking about, because what I see on RUclips are videos with millions of views, with destroyed cities in America, not in Europe.
Exciting changes that have been sorely needed. The biggest issue is that the "metro area" in Atlanta is HUGE and absolutely requires a car. The key will be expanding Marta / building out a light rail system. And the beltline needs separate paths for pedestrians and bikes - just some simple lines would help but perhaps looking at something like the Burke Gilman trail in Seattle would help.
In 1993, metro Atlanta had like maybe 42-43 miles of rail transit while metro Denver and the DFW metro both had 0. Today, metro Atlanta has 48 while metro Denver has about 120 and DFW is something like 175.....this includes both light rail and commuter rail. Atlanta is pitiful.
VA native that moved here in 2022 and I'm never leaving. I love this city so much. Didn't even know about Centennial Yards or The Stitch projects either! Love to see the city getting more and more connected and revitalized.
For everyone who keep saying expand the Marta this will never happen. Like the guy said in the video they will not approve it due to the issue of certain people not wanting the Marta line going to their suburbs it been like this for Decades
I'm glad that car-centric cities like Atlanta are finally realizing the benefits of European-style urban design. I love the belt line trail so much-it reminds me of European cities and foster incredible social interaction. Car-based cities can often feel impersonal, but Atlanta is doing a fantastic job of adding soul to the city.
The group proposing streetcars is a lobbyist group, any great idea like autonomous vehicles, e-bikes, etc. is quickly shut down in favor of a multi billion dollar waste project. The streetcar failed in terms of cost and efficiency on the downtown route. Expanding this mess would ruin the Beltline.
"people have this notion that we're putting in heavy rail around the beltline. That's not the case, you're talking about a nice slow people mover." Is this supposed to resonate with people? Are people that allergic to usable, efficient, and fast forms of public transportation that we need a nerfed streetcar that runs at like 2 mph? A walkable city is nice, but people still need to get places fast. And if you want people to rely on cars less, then quick and efficient rail transit is absolutely necessary, and this is the perfect opportunity to build that.
The Beltline is dope. Biking around downtown while mixing in the MARTA trains is actually a great way to explore the city. If Atlanta's bus lines can come anywhere close to the efficiency of the Philadelphia bus lines, then honestly anyone living in Atlanta would be better off not owning a car. Traffic in Atlanta sucks.
I live near Atlanta and I think it’s a wonderful city. It’s just a phenomenal city with so much to do and so much to see and so much happening all the time. Piedmont Park and the beltline are my two favorite parts of the city.
I just left Atlanta (Smyrna) after 4 years. I am really interested in rail & transit extension. My main problem was transportation and the hilly roads since I biked everywhere. I indeed can't afford a car, neither even know how to drive. If MARTA was allowed to extend their rail/bus towards multiple areas, I would reconsider moving back. In the meantime I'm back in Chicago enjoying the better transit, better downtown and better nature.
We need Beltline rail now. There’s already been a decade of studies, planning, and community engagement. We all want rail for equitable access to jobs.
Great video. I learned a lot. You should come to Houston. They’ve done fantastic things here in a city that keeps growing the green spaces have as well. Memorial Park and the new land bridges are pretty fantastic. Asked they link up with the greenway along the bayous. I love living here for that reason.
We need to stick with the original Beltline plan: light rail. The automated pods are not the solution. Also: people need to realize that the Beltline is a piece of transportation infrastructure, not a linear park. There are literally hundreds of miles of sidewalks that bicycles are not allowed on that they can walk on without having to interact with bicycles, scooters, etc. Walking 3 across and blocking the lane is wrong and we need to have officials reminding people of such.
The beltline can be a first step. Think of it like the central freeway artery of non-car transit--stay off it if you're not moving purposefully to your destination. And if the hundreds of miles of sidewalks and streets not on the beltline need to be refurbished/redesigned/rebeautified to make them safer and more appealing to travel on in a less car-centric world, then so be it. That can be the next step.
Original plan was before cell phones, scooters, e-bikes existed. It’s outdated. But also note there will different versions of the “original plan”, without rail at all. It was once considered necessary to drive economic growth, clearly that happened without rail.
What’s really happening here is they’re making the roads and car infrastructure smaller and instead of more people walking or riding bikes there’s just more people stuck in traffic. With a low density city like Atlanta with a lot of distance commuters, it seems like a very poor choice
Trams are the best way to go. Its safer and more secure. But I feel like that Belt line will get over crowded quick. It links vital neighborhoods that would be looking for that connection to the Marta. So I hope they really think it through and listen to what the people need - and not who sells them the best development pitch.
Cars are not the problem, land use restrictions and "free"ways are the problem. If highways and arterial roads were funded by dynamically priced tolls to always have the road priced at the minimum charge to prevent congestion, their efficiency would dramatically improve and it'd incentivize people to car pool. take a bus (that is no longer stuck in the traffic), or change a trip to an off peak time when roads are cheaper or free. This, paired with legalizing all forms of housing with no setbacks or parking minimums would lead to a much better city.
A lot of those far areas are suburban and exurban, people still commute an hour to even two hours away, therefore they are connected. The city is 133sq miles, so it’s not the biggest in land area. Metro is a better accurate gauge for this reason amongst others.
A number of these surrounding cities have annexed off from Atlanta. So while the residents may not actually live in Atlanta a good number still either work in or do business with the city of Atlanta.
I envision a conveyer style sidewalk that surrounds the Beltline. When you’re tired of walking just hop on. But I’m not going to say too much because I know someone will steal the idea.
With as bad as Atlanta's traffic problems is, im appalled that despite the benefits, the Counties that rejected Martas expansion are the ones where people drive 40mins to work in the city just to spend 40mins going back out, its just stupid. I took Marta a bunch just cause i went to school way up north in Doraville/chamblee. The Train system is good, probably the best but the buses have a real bad scheduling issue where you have to wait nearly 40mins for one.
No city needs autonomous vehicles, let alone Atlanta. Build out the heavy rail network, upfront cost of tunneling is high but long term benefit makes up for it, they need to think long term
The lobbyists for automakers have entered the comments. "We'd like to interject, walkability will put us out of business, please keep pouring asphalt and adding more intestate lanes."🤣
These are incredible ideas and I’d recommend the City planners visit Singapore but I also believe the plans will never include the entire Metro area due to the “forever-ness” of racism.
Smells like kickbacks for these politicians who push these silly concepts. 20 years from now, Atlantans and Metro Area people will be scratching their heads like, "Why is getting around so screwed up?"
The streetcar network is the solution, as all of the studies have already shown. Any crap about autonomous vehicles or "slow moving people movers" is just a misdirection that won't actually be a functional public transport solution.
Haters: ‘Everybody wants to go to Atlanta, it’s too crowded. I’m going to a smaller up and coming city, cause I’m different. 0:00 - 0:10 Just lookin around People 20-30 mins away from Downtown, still say that they’re in Atlanta…
There’s no solution for the traffic in, Atlanta. It’s too crowded. They spent all of that money on I-285 and there are traffic jams 24 hours a day. 4-5 lanes across in each direction and it’s still a parking lot.
I know this seems like progress and it is. Unfortunately the beltline started in 1999 and was to be a 20 year plan with transit. The sidewalk portion should have been done in a year. It took 11 years for the east side segment. In fact the NYC known for bureaucratic red tape saw this idea and finished the high line in a couple years. Bittersweet on the beltline.
Get a freaking real train. It's not that complicated. European and Asian cities know this already. Sorry but the narrator is definitely not that knowledgeable about urban planning.
An autonomous car is STILL a car. It still takes up a lot of space, still very inefficient mode of transportation for millions of people. They're a scam, just another way to make money instead of actually addressing the problem.
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Autonomous cars ain't the solutions, they reenforce the problem. Light rail, density, walkability and interconnectivity is the solution
cars never going away so keep cryin
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@@jaehparrk cars are never going away, that's why we need to develop alternatives so that all 6 million of us aren't on the connector at the same time. A lot of people will need to drive no matter what, we should clear up the roads so they can get where they need to go. Imagine how packed Peachtree would be if every person on a MARTA train was in a car instead
@@jaehparrk literally nobody will stop *you* from navigating your overpriced and depreciating vehicle thru traffic if that’s what *you* prefer, we just want multiple mobility options that are preferably mass passenger, like buses, trams, or trains. The more choices the better. Especially for those with limited income or physical impairment issues.
True urbanists understand driverless vehicles are garbage tech hawked by billionaires. Cities need actual MASS transit, not laughable gadgets.
We need politicians who don’t bend to billionaire fingers on their gooch, especially for Atlanta.
In china we have autonomous buses which can carry 12-15 people. So autonomous vehicles and public transportation aren't exclusive.
@@JSM-bb80u China and America/Atlanta are two very different places. There’s a reason there are no autonomous buses serving major cities here at a wide or even notable scale. Even the Walt Disney World Resort relies primarily on full size buses.
@@darkinetix Have you seen Zoox autonomous taxis?
Those buses are just a large version of Zoox taxis.
Also what do you think about autonomous taxis for areas without enough density for bus routes.
Trams and metros are superior to autonomous taxis or buses but they can't services low density rural or exurban areas though.
@@JSM-bb80u 12 to 15 people isn't mass transit. May as well have a gondola ha. What China actually excels at building is rail.
Driveless vehicles aren't what atlanta needs lol
The driverless car will ONLY be for the belt line within a specific track on the BELTLINE!!
@@javionriley8739the low capacity of driverless cars would eventually lead to overcrowding and and more traffic jams. Except now the cars are driverless. Light rail is the answer here
Could you imagine 😂
@@javionriley8739which is dumb and a waste of money
@@DavisRyan12what if we just connected all the driverless cars together and made the route the same every time? They could even have their own specialized road that no other vehicles could drive on.. we could even arrange them so that they hit certain spots at specific times regularly so you could always get to where you need to go on time!
The politician needs to listen to the people. They don’t want the autonomous cars, they want more buses and trains. Hate when politicians insist on their own agenda, that’s not what you’re in office to do.
Listen ! I thought the same thing ! But as a mechanical engineer from Columbia South Carolina! I thought to myself!!
1. Adding more buses will cause more congestion (though needed we can’t just keep expanding highways)
2.) heavy rail is understandable but that’s going to force people to move (taking land destroying neighborhoods)
Having small autonomous pods on the beltline specifically within their own track separate from the walking trail while having technicians/city workers to assist people with the autonomous car operation! It’s a smart idea “think of a train but your own personalized vehicle to get you from point A to point B the beltline goes across all of Metro Atlanta. It’s a brilliant idea.
@@javionriley8739I think it’s a bit silly and weird but I’m from boston originally and though they removed most of them, we still have a lot of light rail lines that are all well used and appreciated. Some of which have pedestrian trails in the same right of way and the neighborhoods surrounding are all the better for it. Beltline rail already has a ROW provided for rail…what with it having already been a rail line in the past and thus no homes have to be taken nor paths made smaller. They LITERALLY are just chopping down the tall grass next to the paved paths and laying rail. Atlanta is a city in a forest. There’s plenty of grass and trees and that thin patch will not be a major loss at all. It’s literally overgrowth and not anything ancient or protected. It’s frustrating the lengths many TRANSPLANTS will go to stifle making this city more transit friendly. Rail can be expanded on branches to points east west north and south. Into other neighborhoods and help to create a cohesive and efficient grid. All that is needed is political backbone and support but either way I doubt anything will come to fruition in our lifetimes
@@javionriley8739 It's not a good idea. First, heavy rail is not what is being installed on the Beltline. What is being built is light rail, and there is a big difference. Heavy rail is rail that operates like the subway trains of MARTA, while light rail is essentially what the streetcar downtown is. This would not displace anybody because the beltline already has dedicated right of way for this light rail to be built, as it was included in the very first plans for the beltline. These small autonomous pods would not only be harder to implement as they are still a developing technology, but they would diminish social connection because they are basically just cars but smaller, placing everybody in their own little bubble where they will not interact with others.
@@xavierhinesman9558 I wish people would understand that light rail is a tried and true solution; there is plenty of data showing it is a highly effective mode of transportation when properly implemented (The streetcar as it is now with that tiny loop in downtown is poorly implemented, thus the low ridership). This autonomous pod nonsense is a concept that relies on strange logic instead of real data. Newer is not always better.
@@xavierhinesman9558 Repeat for those in the rear📢
I love Atlanta but I wish MARTA would be expanded
It seems a lot of people feel that way. Hopefully soon!
People do not want the drama and crime associated with it.
@@JLR-z8uthere’s crime everywhere. People in Gwinnett (for example) complain about traffic, yet don’t want MARTA in their communities. It just goes on and on.
doesn't need to be expanded. It just needs more housing around the existing stations
@@danmcclaren5436 Yes and no. More expansion would make it more accessible to those in further out communities. But more housing near the stations already in place would be great too of course.
All these developments are kinda cool, but what atlanta really, really needs is an expansion of marta's heavy rail. The city is extremely sprawling in every direction, the DC metro reminds a lot of Atlanta metro, yet they have a way better transit system. I hope they stop looking into all these boondogles od transit systems and focus in the one that truly works on moving people, and that is heavy rail.
Would require a lot of state and probably federal support to expand heavy rail. I agree it'd be awesome, but let's not neglect the streetcar we can build now while we hope for heavy rail expansion that may not come
@@yankee8570 Honestly, the current 'OG' section of the streetcar just feels... Really out of the place... Like, why would you build a streetcar ONLY along a section of downtown heavy rail metro (downtown here rightfully suggests that the metro line's stopping distance isn't that large, which means a 'local infill' is probably not necessary). And digging into the backgrounds further it feels to me like that there has been a sad consensus that expansion of MARTA heavy rail metro, the only real option that makes sense for ATL, is now a mostly unrealistic idea. With a lot of 'recent successes' of new urban transit systems based on light rail and maybe some regional commuter rail, yet virtually no metro style heavy rail built or even seriously planned around the country(with exception of only 3 cities, NY, LA, and DC), it seems to me that there circulates this school of thought that ATL should eventually move towards those 'lower orders' of transit to hopefully expand the transit system... (As for example, I would imagine ATL or any city having a much easier time applying for enough federal funding for a light rail, for example, the 'Obama trams', which is probably how ATL got its current streetcar, or even commuter rail, than metros, as a. metros are more expensive, or at least you need a bigger upfront investment to really see anything that works, and b. as described earlier, save for the 3 large cities there's no other successful recent metro projects, so I would imagine the scrutiny and skepticism even stronger.) Which is really odd, sad, and out of place at the same time... Anyways I really hope the beltline extension of the streetcar gets built and up and running soon... That probably can change a lot
As a former Atlanta resident of 4 decades through 2019, I agree. But the rail has to be efficiently fed by other forms of transportation. When we lived in the ATL, the busses ran too infrequently and unreliably to depend on. It wasn't very cycling friendly either. Good luck Atlanta. We have fond memories of living there in the 80s and 90s when it was still a big village.
Need to expand MARTA INSIDE the city before we bring in the suburbs. People who choose to live way out there choose to sit in traffic. Lets take care of people in the city first. Two more E-W lines, one paralleling 10th st, and one on the south side. Let the people who live way out in Cobb and Gwinnett sit in the traffic they chose.
Pod cars are just another example of a weird tech bro gadgetbahn to the public transit solution that already exists. I wish that politicians would listen to expert planners on this stuff.
This is Atlanta, public transportation doesn’t get built.
Atlanta a century ago was an easily walkable and beautiful place. Local “leaders” bulldozed that to punish Blacks for being black.
Huh? Respectively
@@spenandfineit’s true you can look it up, the downtown connector was built right over a thriving black neighborhood
@@spenandfine amnesia? Respectively.
@@mrfriendlolo4971 im black, i do NOT care'. crying about old crap that does NOT help with anything today as per usual.
What? No.
the pods and a "slow people mover" are stupid ideas
Nothing wrong with LRT's but not if you have to move thousands of commutera
@@RobertP.Trebor Yeah but I don't think that's what he's talking about. LRTs are like Seattle Link or Vancouver Skytrain. I think the mayor wants the Detroit People Mover
There is no need to reinvent or “innovate” the train. Trams and metro systems work perfectly, which is why the best cities around the world are expanding these services. Atlanta’s mayor is a fool for advocating for alternatives to trams and metro expansion.
Preach!
big facts it's almost like they wanna be a major city but don't want the responsibility. you cant have it both ways lol. I'd say take a page out of the NY or Boston book and the city will be perfectly fine.
You had me until you started talking about autonomous vehicles... We don't have to reinvent the wheel, just build light rail that will provide higher capacity while also being a much more developed technology.
MARTA needs to expanded in all directions. If neighboring counties want to continue to refuse it, then the state DOT needs to step in. This is a need that affects all of Georgia. In addition, high speed rail needs to expand from Atlanta to Charlotte (through Athens and Greeneville/ Spartanburg) to Nashville (through Chattanooga) to Florida (via Macon and Savannah).
Bruh u are making me cry with this plan of yours 😭. If only this could come true! Also, it would be nice if the Macon one could go down to Miami thru Orlando 😅.
Will never happen. Better to force corporations and government agencies to provide work-from-home options en masse where it's practical and possible like what happened in 2020 and 2021.
Racism is stopping this.
@@willia3r You do get that only about 35% of companies can survive with all WFH positions? Many can perhaps be hybrid, but more companies have a business model or a product/service that require the workers to actually come into a brick and mortar location.
The bro the biggest problem is the foolish people who would rather sit in traffic than to pay for expansion mass transit.
WE DO NOT WANT PODS!!!!!! WE WANT RAIL!!!!!
Beltline NEEDS the streetcar! The primary reason why the streetcar is currently unpopular is because it doesn't take anyone anywhere! The loop is so small and inconvenient, it's less transit and more tourist attraction. Light rail is a proven mode of mass transit in other cities with similar infrastructure to the beltline and would increase interconnectivity throughout the city
Calling the beltline nearly complete is… adorable. We have huge sections that still need to even be routed and designed.
Hi I live in Atlanta. The new MARTA stations on the beltline almost certainly won't happen. The mayor announced them without telling MARTA, the Beltline, or really anyone beforehand. He has no plan to fund them nor the institutional support necessary to get them built. It was likely a move to appease people when he came out against (sorta he keeps flip-flopping) beltline rail. A coalition of developers who own property on the Beltline are trying to get the rail project shut down, even though the Beltline was always envisioned as a transit corridor. I'm not saying it's a perfect project, but rail would certainly have way more capacity than autonomous pods. Plus train tracks surrounded by grass would look way nicer than more concrete and keep the beltline cooler. I def think expanding MARTA heavy rail would be better but I don't think it will happen for a very long time, if ever. Currently Beltline rail is our best shot at upgrading transit.
Not only this which is correct,but a ton of planning, money, and time has been spent on LRT. Environmental studies have already been completed. Abandoning LRT would be wasting millions already spent. I certainly wont vote for the current mayor next time. I want someone who will fight for our priorities, not stick his finger to the wind and turn tail.
@@scpatl4nowbeltline rail is the furthest thing from a priority in this city. Like last on the list of priorities actually.
@@tamikad3535 I don't think that is true. There has been too much time and money spent on it already, and if the mayor values his job, he will make it more of a priority, but he doesn't seem to be capable of much
@@scpatl4now time and money spent on the rail? Why do you all focus on the mayor when there is a city manager that is in charge of the funds?
@@tamikad3535 YES!!
Don't forget about the gentrifying impact the beltline is having. It is pushing long-time residents out of their homes when they have nowhere else to go! DONT FORGET!!
That’s what I was wondering. I haven’t seen an example of rapid improvement without displacement
Infrastructure projects aren’t community projects unless you make them community projects
Please not the ‘pods’ reinforcing car use even if autonomous is not the way! High density works FAR better by centralizing transportation. More pedestrian and bike only areas and public transit open the city up for everyone not just cars. For this city especially because of its car dependency. Public transit encourages more density simultaneously more walking and biking.
"Wisley consider other options" is a cop out. The only people who are against the belt line LRT are either wealthy, entitled, nimby, carpetbaggers, classist, anti-ADA or all of the above. And the worst part is they don't have to do anything. They just have to muddy the waters enough that nothing gets done, no one will make a decision and then so much time will have passed that it will be too expensive/too difficult to build any transit let alone light rail.
Exactly what's been going on with the more Marta Tax.
Our leaders only serve the wealthy and real estate developers. Our Mayor is a progressive in name only. Atlanta is one of the worst cities as an example of sustainable development thanks to our politicians both state and local.
As an Atlanta native, First TDC made a video about us!!🗣️ and Second, the rapid growth and development of Atlanta brings a smile to my face, she was first settled as a railroad terminus so its only fair we return back to our roots. If we can become the Chicago of the south the amount of generational wealth and prosperity that would hit atlanta citizens (hopefully) would be nation wide felt!
The classic American viewpoint on public transportation: If it ain't broke, break it. Autonomous vehicles are possibly the worst solution to this problem. Nearly every large European city uses trams, they work, they are a good solution. Put rail on the beltline please and thank you.
Europe is poor and unproductive though. American cities are for productivity not lollygagging.
@@tabernathy0428Come here and see our quality of life before commenting like this. I wouldn't move to America for oh so many reasons, transit being one of them.
@@tabernathy0428What about public transport that will transform cities into unproductive ones? and what cities are you talking about, because what I see on RUclips are videos with millions of views, with destroyed cities in America, not in Europe.
@@Dino03038 Public transportation is for poor people.
@@tabernathy0428 millionaires in Austria use public transport.
Exciting changes that have been sorely needed. The biggest issue is that the "metro area" in Atlanta is HUGE and absolutely requires a car. The key will be expanding Marta / building out a light rail system. And the beltline needs separate paths for pedestrians and bikes - just some simple lines would help but perhaps looking at something like the Burke Gilman trail in Seattle would help.
1:01 I appreciate you adding in this fact. The effects are still felt today.
Atlanta, you guys are a shining beacon of how to work together to create a better future for us all 🙌🏼👏🏼❤️❤️
In 1993, metro Atlanta had like maybe 42-43 miles of rail transit while metro Denver and the DFW metro both had 0. Today, metro Atlanta has 48 while metro Denver has about 120 and DFW is something like 175.....this includes both light rail and commuter rail. Atlanta is pitiful.
Gulch! 😏
VA native that moved here in 2022 and I'm never leaving. I love this city so much. Didn't even know about Centennial Yards or The Stitch projects either! Love to see the city getting more and more connected and revitalized.
Nice! Hopefully both make downtown more enjoyable. Do you use the beltline much?
Expand MARTA to all suburbs in the 100 mile area. Whether light or heavy rail.
Check out www.atltrains.com/
For everyone who keep saying expand the Marta this will never happen. Like the guy said in the video they will not approve it due to the issue of certain people not wanting the Marta line going to their suburbs it been like this for Decades
Autonomous electric vehicles move one person at at a time. They are a dumb proposal to the need to move many people along a linear path.
Thank you for sharing I needed some good positive news!
I'm glad that car-centric cities like Atlanta are finally realizing the benefits of European-style urban design. I love the belt line trail so much-it reminds me of European cities and foster incredible social interaction. Car-based cities can often feel impersonal, but Atlanta is doing a fantastic job of adding soul to the city.
Great vid, ATL could definitely use more density as well as walkability and transport
Always wanted you guys to cover ATL. Especially in modern times with so much people moving out there
I hope I did it justice...
@@TheDailyConversationyou showed the black American (descendants of USA chattel slavery) MECCA for what it is ! And that’s a GREAT AMERICAN CITY
all the ppl movin to the A turning it into a whole diff city and finna turn out like ny
The group proposing streetcars is a lobbyist group, any great idea like autonomous vehicles, e-bikes, etc. is quickly shut down in favor of a multi billion dollar waste project. The streetcar failed in terms of cost and efficiency on the downtown route. Expanding this mess would ruin the Beltline.
Do you trust the Mayor to do what he feels is in the best interests of the people?
"people have this notion that we're putting in heavy rail around the beltline. That's not the case, you're talking about a nice slow people mover." Is this supposed to resonate with people? Are people that allergic to usable, efficient, and fast forms of public transportation that we need a nerfed streetcar that runs at like 2 mph? A walkable city is nice, but people still need to get places fast. And if you want people to rely on cars less, then quick and efficient rail transit is absolutely necessary, and this is the perfect opportunity to build that.
Oh god not more pods, just build bloody proper transit, I hope Atlanta doesnt fall for the tech grifts
Metro ATL needs commuter rail in all directions and that will transform the metro area and give the suburbs a true alternative to sitting in traffic
The Beltline is dope. Biking around downtown while mixing in the MARTA trains is actually a great way to explore the city. If Atlanta's bus lines can come anywhere close to the efficiency of the Philadelphia bus lines, then honestly anyone living in Atlanta would be better off not owning a car. Traffic in Atlanta sucks.
I live near Atlanta and I think it’s a wonderful city. It’s just a phenomenal city with so much to do and so much to see and so much happening all the time. Piedmont Park and the beltline are my two favorite parts of the city.
Failing to build the tram due to getting distracted by techbro "autonomous pods" would be a huge mistake.
Trains, Subways, busses, street cars etc. Need Mass Transit for these cities to thrive!
The future of Atlanta is going to be awesome!
I just left Atlanta (Smyrna) after 4 years. I am really interested in rail & transit extension. My main problem was transportation and the hilly roads since I biked everywhere. I indeed can't afford a car, neither even know how to drive. If MARTA was allowed to extend their rail/bus towards multiple areas, I would reconsider moving back.
In the meantime I'm back in Chicago enjoying the better transit, better downtown and better nature.
We need Beltline rail now. There’s already been a decade of studies, planning, and community engagement. We all want rail for equitable access to jobs.
Love this series so much
Great video. I learned a lot. You should come to Houston. They’ve done fantastic things here in a city that keeps growing the green spaces have as well. Memorial Park and the new land bridges are pretty fantastic. Asked they link up with the greenway along the bayous. I love living here for that reason.
This is still segregation…unreasonable rent prices in these neighborhoods are the problem
Thank you Atlanta
Atlanta is on the rise! Buying RE here is an amazing investment. Property is appreciating at an extremely high rate
Imagine what a New York style train/subway system linking the city and suburbs would do for the city
MARTA needs to get expanded all the way over the Atlanta metro area
Atlanta also hosted the 1996 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Indeed!
Dude, who the f*ck is running Marta right now?? where is the ambition?? Real plans?? SMH!!!
Good for Atlanta. < cars = > happiness
look at the hated bad curve around downtown of I-85, who designed this dump curve?
We need to stick with the original Beltline plan: light rail. The automated pods are not the solution. Also: people need to realize that the Beltline is a piece of transportation infrastructure, not a linear park. There are literally hundreds of miles of sidewalks that bicycles are not allowed on that they can walk on without having to interact with bicycles, scooters, etc. Walking 3 across and blocking the lane is wrong and we need to have officials reminding people of such.
Fair point, well said.
The beltline can be a first step. Think of it like the central freeway artery of non-car transit--stay off it if you're not moving purposefully to your destination. And if the hundreds of miles of sidewalks and streets not on the beltline need to be refurbished/redesigned/rebeautified to make them safer and more appealing to travel on in a less car-centric world, then so be it. That can be the next step.
Original plan was before cell phones, scooters, e-bikes existed. It’s outdated. But also note there will different versions of the “original plan”, without rail at all. It was once considered necessary to drive economic growth, clearly that happened without rail.
Why don't they build a better subway system?
Because the state of Georgia refuses to fund it.
Yes. A light rail is needed. Separate lane for e- bikes and scooters. In NYC those e bikes are out of control. E scooters on the highway
Busiest airport in the world is crrrrazy! I had no idea. Wow! That’s yuuuuuge!
Crazy he didn't talk about Cop City, one of the most important protest movements in the country, also the main stain on modern atlanta's image
What’s really happening here is they’re making the roads and car infrastructure smaller and instead of more people walking or riding bikes there’s just more people stuck in traffic. With a low density city like Atlanta with a lot of distance commuters, it seems like a very poor choice
Clifton corrudor needs to be built that would go along way heavy rail is needed . And a Northern Perimeter extension.
TDC you are great! could you do Cincinnati?
Thanks! Sure :)
Trams are the best way to go. Its safer and more secure. But I feel like that Belt line will get over crowded quick. It links vital neighborhoods that would be looking for that connection to the Marta. So I hope they really think it through and listen to what the people need - and not who sells them the best development pitch.
I live along the beltline its the greatest pedestrian highway. I dont need a car I work shop and live all between 2 major streets
I wish Marta would be expanded and there would be more buses or bus routes instead of having to wait for one every 2-3 hours for certain areas!
Atlanta an example of a shiny dystopia.😂
So the stitch is actually happening?
Yes! ruclips.net/video/AyCbOLZM4I0/видео.htmlsi=PQG4BdGI1XS7Ibr6&t=31
Cars are not the problem, land use restrictions and "free"ways are the problem. If highways and arterial roads were funded by dynamically priced tolls to always have the road priced at the minimum charge to prevent congestion, their efficiency would dramatically improve and it'd incentivize people to car pool. take a bus (that is no longer stuck in the traffic), or change a trip to an off peak time when roads are cheaper or free. This, paired with legalizing all forms of housing with no setbacks or parking minimums would lead to a much better city.
E-bikes defeat the purpose of bikes... they are supposed to be clean and you get exercise.
Sad to even consider the autonomous vehicles. I get angry every time I hear of something besides the tram.
City wise it is not the largest. It's metro is the largest. But includes areas that don't directly tie into the economy of metro Atlanta
A lot of those far areas are suburban and exurban, people still commute an hour to even two hours away, therefore they are connected. The city is 133sq miles, so it’s not the biggest in land area. Metro is a better accurate gauge for this reason amongst others.
A number of these surrounding cities have annexed off from Atlanta. So while the residents may not actually live in Atlanta a good number still either work in or do business with the city of Atlanta.
I envision a conveyer style sidewalk that surrounds the Beltline. When you’re tired of walking just hop on. But I’m not going to say too much because I know someone will steal the idea.
There is heavy opposition to autonomous shuttles by people who actually live in Atlanta and use the Beltline.
I love light rail. More cities need light rail. The area around it becomes vibrant, walkable, and livable.
With as bad as Atlanta's traffic problems is, im appalled that despite the benefits, the Counties that rejected Martas expansion are the ones where people drive 40mins to work in the city just to spend 40mins going back out, its just stupid. I took Marta a bunch just cause i went to school way up north in Doraville/chamblee. The Train system is good, probably the best but the buses have a real bad scheduling issue where you have to wait nearly 40mins for one.
No city needs autonomous vehicles, let alone Atlanta. Build out the heavy rail network, upfront cost of tunneling is high but long term benefit makes up for it, they need to think long term
I call BS on Atlanta being less dense- its crazy crowded there
The lobbyists for automakers have entered the comments. "We'd like to interject, walkability will put us out of business, please keep pouring asphalt and adding more intestate lanes."🤣
Those pods are just fancy cars. I hope he sticks with the trams if he goes the pods route I would be a step in the wrong direction
These are incredible ideas and I’d recommend the City planners visit Singapore but I also believe the plans will never include the entire Metro area due to the “forever-ness” of racism.
Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes!🎵🎶🎵🎶
The autonmous cars idea is silly. Probably not safe and can't be taken seriously as a mass transit option
Smells like kickbacks for these politicians who push these silly concepts. 20 years from now, Atlantans and Metro Area people will be scratching their heads like, "Why is getting around so screwed up?"
"Beam Me up Scotty" No Signs of Intelligent Life !
Marta is horrendously bad, grossly underfunded with mediocre expansion for a rapidly growing city/population..🤦🏿♂️🤷🏿♂️
The streetcar network is the solution, as all of the studies have already shown. Any crap about autonomous vehicles or "slow moving people movers" is just a misdirection that won't actually be a functional public transport solution.
Unexpected? Expect EVERYTHING in Atlanta, sir. #ATL
Respect
No thanks to you
I feel like autonomous light rail would make more sense than autonomous cars.
Pretty disingenuous to suggest the mayor is "wisely considering other options"
Haters: ‘Everybody wants to go to Atlanta, it’s too crowded. I’m going to a smaller up and coming city, cause I’m different.
0:00 - 0:10 Just lookin around
People 20-30 mins away from Downtown, still say that they’re in Atlanta…
There’s no solution for the traffic in, Atlanta. It’s too crowded. They spent all of that money on I-285 and there are traffic jams 24 hours a day. 4-5 lanes across in each direction and it’s still a parking lot.
Developing new infrastructure there will only create future challenges.
There are always solutions...just have to keep trying to figure it out.
I know this seems like progress and it is. Unfortunately the beltline started in 1999 and was to be a 20 year plan with transit. The sidewalk portion should have been done in a year. It took 11 years for the east side segment. In fact the NYC known for bureaucratic red tape saw this idea and finished the high line in a couple years.
Bittersweet on the beltline.
Seems like a fair assessment. I love the high line, what a fantastic NYC experience it is.
BLACK HOLLYWOOD🎬 Aka THE BLACK MECCA📚🏠🛫💰🌎
Interesting development
Ahhhhhhh taxes... more people, more crime, more traffic, more development, more taxes. No thanks. Time to move
The ATL metro area is just too freaking populated for most people.....
The pods need to be dropped as an idea and Dickens should be ashamed for even considering them.
Get a freaking real train. It's not that complicated. European and Asian cities know this already. Sorry but the narrator is definitely not that knowledgeable about urban planning.
An autonomous car is STILL a car. It still takes up a lot of space, still very inefficient mode of transportation for millions of people. They're a scam, just another way to make money instead of actually addressing the problem.