Shinkansen "bullet" train, high-speed rail

The Death of Texas High-Speed Rail

The death of Texas high-speed rail looks imminent based on the recent news of the CEO's departure, but the economics never made sense unless Japan was willing to heavily subsidize the program in order to show off their trains in America (hoping for future sales).
Houston's mini kaihatsu, sinking a false alarm

Houston’s Mini-Kaihatsu, Sinking False Alarm, and more

by Tory Gattis — Houston's reported rate of sinking may be a false alarm in terms of the city actually disappearing below sea level, and a new book notes similarities between Tokyo's mini-kaihatsu and Houston's townhouse developments.
Texas Highway Interchange Stack

Silliness of Induced Demand Arguments, NZ MUD Troubles, and more

by Tory Gattis — On the silliness of the induced demand anti-freeway-expansion argument; taxpayers *want* government to invest in infrastructure where there is demand!
Las Colinas light-rail station in Irving, Texas

With Low Ridership, Should Metro’s Excess Cash Pile Go To Flood Control?

by Tory Gattis — In spite of ridership being cut in half due to Covid, Metro's financial position became stronger than ever due to a huge influx of federal grants, a total of $714 million in Covid relief in 2020 and 2021. Should this excess go to flood control?
I-45N junction with the 10Dhanix, used under CC 3.0 License

TXDoT and Harris County Reach Deal on 45N NHHIP Rebuild

by Tory Gattis — TXDoT and Harris County finally came to a historic agreement today that will reshape Houston mobility for decades to come. (April Fools...)
Exploratorium Museum

PBS Loves Houston, We Need an Exploratorium, HTX #1 in Homebuilding

by Tory Gattis — Houston needs its own version of the San Francisco Exploratorium museum - it's just awesome. Meanwhile, we're #1 in homebuilding, as Houston's population booms.
Quote from Tory Gattis about Texas MUDs

The URI Next American Cities Report, Texas MUDs as a Model

This newly released report from Urban Reform Institute examines the places that offer opportunity for a revitalized American Dream for more citizens.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Preventing big infrastructure failures, mass migration to Texas and more

by Tory Gattis — To prevent big infrastructure failures, we need to compare a proposed project estimate to similar projects actual costs BEFORE a project goes through the approval process.
Las Vegas Convention Center transit

Houston Should Learn from the Future of Public Transit in Las Vegas

by Tory Gattis — This week we have a post from Oscar Slotboom on how Houston should learn from the future of public transit that Las Vegas is pursuing.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Houston vs. Austin, Kudos for Museum of Fine Arts Houston

by Tory Gattis — A just published review compares Houston vs. Austin, Woodlands ranked Best City to Live in America, and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston receives praise from Travel + Leisure.