New Orleans and the Future of the Car

I was a first time visitor to New Orleans at the end of 2011.  What a wonderful city this is. But the cars and parking for them and the traffic jams all over detract from the great experience a bit.  So why not ban them?

I know this is radical but hear me out.  Please.

I have suggested this to other cities where downtown areas have become clogged and so much is devoted to the car (parking them, moving them, regulating them, controlling them etc).  But cities dont seem to have ears to listen to me.  So I wrote to the major of New Orleans and got a polite reply.

Suppose we think of the French Quarter and immediate environs as a big "Disneyland" or huge open air shopping mall come Hotel and living area? All the streets become people places.  You can walk and enjoy.  No pollution, more space for retail, service and entertainment.This is becoming a reality in the old towns of major cities like Madrid.

But how would we get around and get to and from our hotels. How would we get across the city?  How would we get deliveries and supplies in and out?

Easy.  You only allow electric vehicles in the centre (travelators, golf carts, trolleys, Segways, electric bikes) which have barriers or something to keep them from functioning if they leave the area. And you also have bicycles and people and horse powered taxis (you have them already). No pollution. No noise. Slower speed but more fun. Easy access and safe for the young and old and infirmed. Emergency vehicles can get around easily.  The streets all become people places.

Instead of there being transaction costs to getting to work and getting around they turn into transaction benefits.  People love to travel and wander in and around on their way to live, work or play.

Where do all the cars go?  You build really big car parks at the edge. Cheap.  People swap their car for a golf cart or trolley or horse and carriage. People can provide transition services to meet and transport you to your hotel.

What about supplies?  At night or at a convenient time you have bollards lowered that give access to trucks and the like.

What about through traffic?  Many options here. Build a highway in the sky above like they have done in Shanghai.  Or designate two streets (one way each way), one North-South, another East-West.  Think of this as extra rivers and build bridges and elevators over them – like in Venice.  Cover them up like a levee.  Decorate them with grass or something making them a tunnel above ground.  Paint them.

Its a win win win scenario and will attract more investment, more people and more fun and less pollution and better health. Easy to clean too.

Well I hope I don't sound crazy to you.