augustusbrown

timrichards, 6 days ago to random

Intriguing. | Orcas have sunk another vessel off the European coast. Why won't they stop ramming boats? - ABC News
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-05-14/why-orcas-are-ramming-boats-and-sometimes-sinking-them/103843932

jessta, 6 days ago to melbourne

"...most intersection are unsafe to have an automatic green man, as pedestrians j-walk and it creates a dangerous situation with possible filtered right turners. A scenario where people see a green man and run to cross the road creates one of the most dangerous situations, with regards to left and right turners.

Studies conducted by VicRoads and the Australian Road Research Board have proven the safety issues with the above."

I contacted VicRoads to ask about making a pointless pedestrian crossing green automatically when it's safe to cross and their response was very telling.

#Melbourne #VicPol #VicRoads

augustusbrown, 10 days ago to random

Melbourne's newest hook turns!

This is one of two or three intersections on Grattan Street where hook turns are being installed as part of protected bike lane works.

Hook turns combine previously separated left and right turn lanes into one. The left over space gives room for a bike lane and keeps the through lane clear.

They also improve safety for people walking and riding as the turning movements become much slower reducing the likelihood of left and right turn collisions.

augustusbrown, 16 days ago to random

Nanna keeps buying me steam train books.

augustusbrown, 1 month ago to random

Record high V/Line patronage in March 2024 with 2.16 million trips taken.

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/fairer-fares-deliver-huge-savings-first-year

#Edited #SpringSt #GeneralNews

timrichards, 1 month ago to random

This is my first time on the new Vlocity train to Albury. The seat reservations have their pluses and minuses; I chose a forward-facing seat in a set of four, so that's good.

I miss first class though, nice to have some extra space. Next time I assume I could make use of the $10.60 fare cap and buy two tix next to or across from each other?

Cc @danielbowen

augustusbrown, 1 month ago to random

NSW Trains and ARTC fined $525,000 combined for 2020 crash that killed driver and pilot. Both companies entered a guilty plea.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-04-03/melbourne-wallan-train-crash-companies-fined/103661182

#GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 1 month ago to random

The view from Spotswood skyrail is pretty impressive.

augustusbrown, 1 month ago to thailand

Thailand set to enshrine marriage rights for people of any gender in first for any South-East Asian nation.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-28/thailand-to-enshrine-same-sex-marriage-for-couples-of-any-gender/103642800

#Thailand #GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 1 month ago to random

Oh dear. Your boy looking for trouble.

augustusbrown, 2 months ago to auspol

Nice to see this is now public but I hope it's actually implemented and not left on the back shelf like so many other DTP projects.

https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/no-park-no-problem-car-space-rules-could-be-ditched-in-areas-with-good-public-transport-20240312-p5fbua.html

No paywall: https://www.removepaywall.com/https:/www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/no-park-no-problem-car-space-rules-could-be-ditched-in-areas-with-good-public-transport-20240312-p5fbua.html

#SpringSt #AusPol #GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 2 months ago to random

Well that's one way to resolve the air quality problem.

#IndustrialAction

augustusbrown, 2 months ago to random

This morning I travelled through a strong candidate for Melbourne's worst pedestrian underpass.

Geelong Road at the freight lines at the border of Tottenham and Brooklyn.

Presumably built by the Country Roads Board, which had a strong hatred for non-motorists.

A ramp down into the underpass. It looks a bit like a culvert.
Heavily graffitied underpass. Damp, narrow, low roof.
A dirt path on the other side. Underpass can barely be seen. Desire lines suggest many people cross at-grade over the rail lines instead.

augustusbrown, 2 months ago to random

I wonder how difficult it would be to connect trains to an external power source at Southern Cross Station and switch off the diesel engines? I think that's how planes are handled at large airports. However, much of the concern in this report is in the coach terminal.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-03-06/melbourne-southern-cross-station-air-pollution-data-revealed/103486852

#SpringSt #GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 2 months ago to random

To be frank, I think it's self defeating to argue for better non-car transport while at the same time convincing everyone that the current system is unusable. It's not turn-up-and-go (which would be great) but it is effective in many areas with some prior planning.

augustusbrown, 2 months ago to random

Talbot Street in Footscray is a pretty good example of smaller trees closely planted providing decent shade for the footpath.

augustusbrown, 3 months ago to Israel

Dutch court orders Netherlands to stop all exports of fighter jet parts to Israel, citing a clear risk of violations of international law.

https://apnews.com/article/netherlands-court-f35-israel-b33608b054a33fbacc518395b53b74e8

#Israel #Gaza #Netherlands #GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 3 months ago to random

According to 'Tick Tock' and 'X', eating reheated rice is a death sentence. But it must be a very slow death sentence given my years of eating reheated rice.

augustusbrown, 3 months ago to Bulgaria

Trump says he would encourage an attack on NATO allies (for example, by Russia) and that he wouldn't come to their defence if he was US President.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2024/02/10/trump-nato-allies-russia/

No paywall: https://archive.is/wuqox

#USPol #Trump #NATO #GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 3 months ago to random

Haircut 💇🏼

augustusbrown, 3 months ago to Israel

Paul Barry on Media Watch has defended Antoinette Lattouf, criticised the ABC's handling of the issue.

https://www.abc.net.au/mediawatch/episodes/lattouf/103428986

#Israel #Gaza #ABC #AusPol #GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 3 months ago to auspol

Australian Millennial and Gen Z men are more conservative than their female counterparts, but are more progressive than men of previous generations at the same stage of life.

This runs counter to reported trends in other countries, where women have been shifting left “while men stand still”.

By Intifar Chowdhury, Lecturer in Government at Flinders University.

https://theconversation.com/australias-young-people-are-moving-to-the-left-though-young-women-are-more-progressive-than-men-reflecting-a-global-trend-222288

#AusPol #GeneralNews

augustusbrown, 3 months ago to random

The yearly running costs for an automobile in Australia in 2022 was $18,715.32 (according to Budget Direct), including car loan but not including outright vehicle purchase.

The cost of public transport in Victoria in 2024 is $2,756 per year, presuming use five days per week without a myki pass.

That's a significant saving if you don't have a car. But I do understand that not everyone (or even most people) can get by easily without a car. I consider myself to be in a very fortunate position.