Blackout Lesson: Keep The Gas Tank Full

The recent blackout highlights the vulnerability of dense cities, writes Wendell Cox.

1 minute read

August 21, 2003, 7:00 AM PDT

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"The blackout demonstrated the vulnerability of downtown areas that rely on electric urban rail. But it goes further. Toronto's extensive GO Transit commuter rail system, though dieselized, had to suspend service because of computer failures. Not so with the automobile, however, which demonstrated its value as a supremely resilient and flexible mode of transport from Cleveland, Detroit and Ottawa to the suburbs of Toronto and New York."

Thanks to Chris Steins

Wednesday, August 20, 2003 in Planetizen

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