Midwest High Speed Rail

[Suburban Station]

There are many opportunities to relocate stations onto bypass lines thus eliminating the slow approaches to old downtown depots in decaying areas of the cities which are often stub ended and must be backed into. The airlines don't fly into downtown airports but into ones that are most often located in the boondocks; why doesn't AMTRAK do the same. For years now businesses have been fleeing high tax downtown areas in favor of campus locations in the suburbs so mid-city to mid-city service is no longer the asset it once was.

the airlines can't fly nto downtown depots. Indeed, the strenght of trains is in serving downtown depots. out east, these once decaying areas are seeing renewed interest.  IMO, Trains are a poor way to serve sprawl. People aren't going to take trains where they get dropped off on the side of a highway. a Good route will have a combination of these stops. however, these depots are in small locations perhaps they should be skipped and a stop added jsut outside the town. However, would it really be a good idea to stop just outside of chicago and not downtown? Probably not. 

 Aside form that, I like your common sense approach. Running on time is the way to go, and getting running speeds up to the

I could see an HSR from NYP to Chicago via Phily, Pitt, Cleveland, fort Wayne. Indeed, I wouldn't mind seeing the Lake Shore scrapped in favor of such a routing today.

[n012944]

Toll roads?  No, I am not generally in favor of toll roads - the create congestion at the point of entry.  Perhaps as technology to auto-deduct toll fees becomes wide-spread enough, toll fees would work.

 

 

That would be real swell, that way you couldn't drive without a credit card account  to track the charges to.

Illinois IPass system takes debit cards, or you can prepay with cash.

 

Bert

[jeaton]

Toll roads?  No, I am not generally in favor of toll roads - the create congestion at the point of entry.  Perhaps as technology to auto-deduct toll fees becomes wide-spread enough, toll fees would work.

 

 

That would be real swell, that way you couldn't drive without a credit card account  to track the charges to.

Illinois IPass system takes debit cards, or you can prepay with cash.

 

Bert

Actually the I-Pass and other similar deals are in wide use on tollways.  On my trip out to New England last fall my I-Pass worked on tollways in every state except (fanfare) Indiana and Ohio.  The Illinois Tollway has installed a system where it picks up the transponder codes from a bridge over the highway lanes.  No gates, don't even have to slow down below the regular speed limit.  The technology is there, just a matter of spreading it all around.

[Anonymous]

(*ahem*)

 

if it's all the same to you all, I'd rather not put a blinking "beacon" on my car that tells the man where I can be found.

  

[Datafever]

(*ahem*)

 

if it's all the same to you all, I'd rather not put a blinking "beacon" on my car that tells the man where I can be found.

And, of course, all of the toll roads that you have taken, and when you took them.  All recorded for posterity. 

[jeaton]

(*ahem*)

 

if it's all the same to you all, I'd rather not put a blinking "beacon" on my car that tells the man where I can be found.

And, of course, all of the toll roads that you have taken, and when you took them.  All recorded for posterity. 

You guys sneaking around?  Going places you're not supposed to go?

[zardoz]

(*ahem*)

 

if it's all the same to you all, I'd rather not put a blinking "beacon" on my car that tells the man where I can be found.

  

Of course, if you have your cell phone on, you are carrying your own personal beacon.....

[spokyone]

(*ahem*)

 

if it's all the same to you all, I'd rather not put a blinking "beacon" on my car that tells the man where I can be found.

And, of course, all of the toll roads that you have taken, and when you took them.  All recorded for posterity. 

Big Brother knows this. So he doubled the tolls for cash customers and reduced the lanes available, making for long lines. ( I-90 into Wisconsin comes to mind.)

[zardoz]

We have some trouble funding Amtrak here in Illinois unless it is between Springfield and Chicago.

well, it is the home of the simpsons.

I thought the Simpsons came from Springfield, Missouri.
Or was it Springfield, Oregon.
Or perhaps Springfield, Massachusetts.
Or was it Springfield, Ohio.
Perhaps Springfield, New Jersey.
Springfield, Georgia?
Springfield, Kentucky?
Springfield, Michigan?
Could it be Springfield, Minnesota?
Maybe Springfield, Colorado?
Springfield, Pennsylvannia?
I know: It's Springfield, Wisconsin!!!

[jeaton]

(*ahem*)

 

if it's all the same to you all, I'd rather not put a blinking "beacon" on my car that tells the man where I can be found.

And, of course, all of the toll roads that you have taken, and when you took them.  All recorded for posterity. 

Big Brother knows this. So he doubled the tolls for cash customers and reduced the lanes available, making for long lines. ( I-90 into Wisconsin comes to mind.)

Bob

Word has it that the new toll collection points were designed by some people in Wisconsin who don't want Illinois vacationers coming in anyway.  Fortunately, clearer heads over ruled the idea of starting a civilian border patrol. 

Just kidding.  Actually it was set up so that I could feel good when I can pass a car that blew by me doing 90 and then is stuck in a long line at the manual gate.

[Anonymous]

You guys sneaking around?  Going places you're not supposed to go?

 

I know I know, "so long as I'm not doing anything wrong.." etc etc

 

Well I'm NOT doing anything wrong  , but just incase I ever decide I might wanna start, I'd like to be able to start without prejudice.....

 The "I Pass" thing you speak of, is that one of those boxes that spit out info about truck loading, weight, owner ID, etc.. to the highway weigh stations, so that  the operator can bypass them?

 Doubtlessly a good idea, but way beyond anything I'd ever have a need for

  

[Anonymous]

Of course, if you have your cell phone on, you are carrying your own personal beacon.....

 

True, but I don't use one .

 

Not for that reason  though,  I got tired of the thing always ringing, and having other people disguised under the mask of friendship, try to persuade me that what I was doing was not as important as what they thought I should be doing.

 

People see that cell phone hanging there on my belt and always ask for the number, and  then act hurt unless they got it. 

 

So, the day I hung up for the last time was in effect the day that I promoted myself to master of my own destiny. 

[spokyone]

You guys sneaking around?  Going places you're not supposed to go?

 

I know I know, "so long as I'm not doing anything wrong.." etc etc

 

Well I'm NOT doing anything wrong  , but just incase I ever decide I might wanna start, I'd like to be able to start without prejudice.....

 The "I Pass" thing you speak of, is that one of those boxes that spit out info about truck loading, weight, owner ID, etc.. to the highway weigh stations, so that  the operator can bypass them?

 Doubtlessly a good idea, but way beyond anything I'd ever have a need for

  

The system that lets trucks by pass the scales is different. VMI comes to mind. And it works just like you said. The better the company's safety record, the more free passes they get.

[n012944]

You guys sneaking around?  Going places you're not supposed to go?

 

 The "I Pass" thing you speak of, is that one of those boxes that spit out info about truck loading, weight, owner ID, etc.. to the highway weigh stations, so that  the operator can bypass them?

 

  

No.  It is part of Illinois "open road tolling".  It automaticatly deducts the toll from your account without you having to stop or slow down.  Those that have it also only pay half of the toll that is charged for those that pay cash.

 

Bert

[Anonymous]

No.  It is part of Illinois "open road tolling".  It automaticatly deducts the toll from your account without you having to stop or slow down.  Those that have it also only pay half of the toll that is charged for those that pay cash.

 

Bert

 

So how do folkssetup with it? Do they give you some doo-dad to plug into your cigarette lighter socket, or have they taken RFID tags to the next level? 

[spokyone]

No.  It is part of Illinois "open road tolling".  It automaticatly deducts the toll from your account without you having to stop or slow down.  Those that have it also only pay half of the toll that is charged for those that pay cash.

 

Bert

 

So how do folkssetup with it? Do they give you some doo-dad to plug into your cigarette lighter socket, or have they taken RFID tags to the next level? 

Right from the illinois tollway website

You can open your I-PASS account using a credit card or check. When you open your account you are issued a small device called a "transponder". This transponder communicates through radio signals with the toll plazas as you drive through them. Account information is sent back and forth between your transponder and the plaza and your prepaid toll balance is debited.

The transponder mounts to your vehicle's windshield, right behind the rearview mirror. It mounts on dualock (velcro like) strips and is removable and can be moved from car to car. Make sure to register all vehicles when establishing your account so you get the correct amount of mounting strips.
So that makes it RFID

[Anonymous]

You can open your I-PASS account using a credit card or check. When you open your account you are issued a small device called a "transponder". This transponder communicates through radio signals with the toll plazas as you drive through them. Account information is sent back and forth between your transponder and the plaza and your prepaid toll balance is debited.

The transponder mounts to your vehicle's windshield, right behind the rearview mirror. It mounts on dualock (velcro like) strips and is removable and can be moved from car to car. Make sure to register all vehicles when establishing your account so you get the correct amount of mounting strips.
So that makes it RFID

 

Thanks for the info. I wonder how many get swiped? 

[Modelcar]

 

                         ......Step into the 21th century.....

[jeaton]

You can open your I-PASS account using a credit card or check. When you open your account you are issued a small device called a "transponder". This transponder communicates through radio signals with the toll plazas as you drive through them. Account information is sent back and forth between your transponder and the plaza and your prepaid toll balance is debited.

The transponder mounts to your vehicle's windshield, right behind the rearview mirror. It mounts on dualock (velcro like) strips and is removable and can be moved from car to car. Make sure to register all vehicles when establishing your account so you get the correct amount of mounting strips.
So that makes it RFID

 

Thanks for the info. I wonder how many get swiped? 

I believe it is a passive transponder.  The reader probably doesn't do anything but pick an account number with a check digit off the chip.  The processing of the charge is handled by the central computer and I can use a password to get to my account and see where I have been.  Guess that would be handy for someone that has a lot of black outs. The unit is about 2.5"x2.5"x1/2", probably just sized for the user's convenience.  I suppose they get swiped from time to time but all it takes is a call or an order on line to cancel the account. Then if it is used at a regular toll stop, the gate won't respond.  If it is a gateless check point and it reads a canceled unit, the ole digital camera goes to work.

Actually the Europeans think we are nuts on this one.  There you can buy the transponder, fund the account with cash and leave no identy information.  I am with the folks who decry the loss of privacy, but I have given up on trying to beat the system.  So now my life is an open book.  That worried me until I realized that nobody gives a ...

[Anonymous]

  That worried me until I realized that nobody gives a ...

 

FWIW, it sounds like a great system, and you have a good point about people USUALLY not giving a crud, about who we are as individuals.

 But one just never knows , and I think that going "belly up" on personal privacy issues, makes little sense.

 

Some day a bag of money might just fall off that Brinks truck,  and with my luck an observation camera at an ATM will see me pick it up and get into the green pickup truck, the RFID toll device will track me to my suburb, a redlight camera will just happen to glance my plate while recording someone else's violation, and those homeland security computers (designed to make me "safe") will put all the pieces together , and some one will come knocking at my door.

 

Moral of the story: eventually all those tiny incremental encroachments upon our annonymity become  aggregate.  For better or for worse.

[Datafever]

Some day a bag of money might just fall off that Brinks truck,  and with my luck an observation camera at an ATM will see me pick it up and get into the green pickup truck, the RFID toll device will track me to my suburb, a redlight camera will just happen to glance my plate while recording someone else's violation, and those homeland security computers (designed to make me "safe") will put all the pieces together , and some one will come knocking at my door.

I started laughing so hard, I began choking.  (That's what I get for trying to read humor while nibbling on food.) 

[Poppa_Zit]

Some day a bag of money might just fall off that Brinks truck,  and with my luck an observation camera at an ATM will see me pick it up and get into the green pickup truck, the RFID toll device will track me to my suburb, a redlight camera will just happen to glance my plate while recording someone else's violation, and those homeland security computers (designed to make me "safe") will put all the pieces together , and some one will come knocking at my door.

Moral of the story: eventually all those tiny incremental encroachments upon our annonymity become  aggregate.  For better or for worse.

Still wearing your tin foil hat, AG?

[Anonymous]

I started laughing so hard, I began choking.  (That's what I get for trying to read humor while nibbling on food.) 

 

Glad you might find a moment's joy 

[Anonymous]

Still wearing your tin foil hat, AG?

 

It was intended in satire, not that I'm particularly surprised it was over your head. 

[Poppa_Zit]

Still wearing your tin foil hat, AG?

 

It was intended in satire, not that I'm particularly surprised it was over your head. 

Another brilliant comeback.

[Anonymous]

Another brilliant comeback.

 

I've found that 'playing to the audience'  often saves me time.

[MStLfan]

Of course, if you have your cell phone on, you are carrying your own personal beacon.....

 

True, but I don't use one .

 

Not for that reason  though,  I got tired of the thing always ringing, and having other people disguised under the mask of friendship, try to persuade me that what I was doing was not as important as what they thought I should be doing.

 

People see that cell phone hanging there on my belt and always ask for the number, and  then act hurt unless they got it. 

 

So, the day I hung up for the last time was in effect the day that I promoted myself to master of my own destiny. 

Are you sure there is no energy left in it? Because even if it is "off" they can track you...

Better make sure there is no chip and battery in it.

greetings,

Marc Immeker

[zardoz]

Are you sure there is no energy left in it? Because even if it is "off" they can track you...

Better make sure there is no chip and battery in it.

greetings,

Marc Immeker

Would you explain this, please?  I was led to believe that when it is "off", it really is off.  How does the system track an unpowered device?

Moral of the story: eventually all those tiny incremental encroachments upon our annonymity become  aggregate.  For better or for worse.

Most likely for worse.

[zardoz]

Moral of the story: eventually all those tiny incremental encroachments upon our annonymity become  aggregate.  For better or for worse.

For worse:

BETHLEHEM, Pa. (AP) - An elderly man who wrote in a letter to the editor about Saddam Hussein's execution that "they hanged the wrong man" got a visit from Secret Service agents concerned he was threatening President Bush.

The letter by Dan Tilli, 81, was published in Monday's edition of The Express-Times of Easton, Pa. It ended with the line, "I still believe they hanged the wrong man."

Tilli said the statement was not a threat. "I didn't say who - I could've meant (Osama) bin Laden," he said Friday.

Two Secret Service agents questioned Tilli at his Bethlehem apartment Thursday, briefly searching the place and taking pictures of him, he said.

The Secret Service confirmed the encounter. Bob Slama, special agent in charge of the Secret Service's Philadelphia office, said it was the agency's duty to investigate.

The agents almost immediately decided Tilli was not a threat, Slama said

"We have no further interest in Dan," he said.

Tilli said the agents appeared more relaxed when he dug out a scrapbook containing more than 200 letters that he has written over the years, almost all on political topics.

"He said, 'Keep writing, but just don't make no threats,'" Tilli said of one of the agents.

It wasn't Tilli's first run-in with the federal government over his letter writing. Two FBI agents from Allentown showed up at his home last year about a letter he wrote advocating a civil war to unseat Bush, he said.

http://apnews.myway.com//article/20070121/D8MPS8RO1.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

Gee, it's a good thing we still live in the land of the "free".

Done in my best German accent: "Ve haf ways ov meking you talk.  Your papers, please".

I suppose I'll get a visit just for posting this.

[jeaton]

While this thread is getting way off topic you just have to read the article at this link.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16725294/?GT1=8921

FOFLMAO