Transportation By Jordan Qualls The issue of transportation has long plagued those who have sought growth in any populated region. In the case of RTP and the surrounding Triangle, transportation problems have become a priority for the regional governments. In RTP, the main roadways have become overcrowded during rush hour. To compensate, roads such as Hwy 54 have been expanded to four lanes, and Davis Drive will soon be expanded from two lanes to six. But, this method has proved to be wasteful. The wider roadways help during rush hour. But, during mid-day and at night, these roadways are all but deserted. The Triangle Transit Authority (TTA), which already provides bus service to RTP and the surrounding areas, has developed a plan to alleviate the road congestion problem without wastefully expanding roadways. In 2007, a new regional rail system will connect RTP with a considerable portion of the Triangle. The first phase, consisting of sixteen rail stations, will run from North Raleigh to North Durham, in a "U" shape. Two of these stations will be inside RTP, allowing those who work in RTP to commute to and from their home and work without the use of automobiles. This public transportation alternative provides citizens with an environmentally friendly choice. However, the economic and social impacts have yet to be seen. Environmental Impact Overall, the environmental effects of automobiles in the US have proven to be quite detrimental. Alternatively, the DMU, or Multiple Diesel Unit, that will be used by TTA's new rail system will prove substantially more environmentally friendly, according to the TTA website. Further, they argue that "[a] DMU does not use much more fuel than buses while moving many more people at a higher average speed." Economic Impact The economic impacts of the new regional rail system are numerous. The new rail system might bring in even more companies to RTP, when these companies see that their workforce can get to their offices more quickly and efficiently. In turn, this would rake in more money for the Triangle. Not all the impacts might be so clear-cut, however. Along with each new TTA rail station comes a new center where people are drawn to. Because of this, TTA has developed plans, which it unveiled in a presentation in the Spring of 2003, to zone the immediate area surrounding each station as high-density residential and commercial property. In effect, this mixed-use area will become high-priced storefronts, apartments, and condominiums, creating immediate construction and long-term clerical jobs. Social Impact Along with economic changes, come social changes. The ability to travel along the new rail line will enable those with jobs in RTP to live a substantial distance from their workplace. This revelation will undoubtedly increase the prices of housing in close proximity to the rail stations. Especially in downtown Durham and Raleigh, where low-income neighborhoods are prevalent, an entire socioeconomic class will be forced out of their homes due to the increased desirability of the area. Transportation Concluded From traffic congestion to socioeconomic-based displacement, RTP and the surrounding Triangle will see a lot of changes in the near future. It is still unclear what the exact effects of this new regional rail system will be. But, it is clear that all the potential effects should be kept in mind as urban growth continues.
