I visited my family in Salt Lake City and when we drove passed their light rail system called TRAX I said that I deserve some credit for the origin of that wonderful system.
My family, as usual, discounted my claim. I make many claims to my role in the origin of many parts of our current society and they are probably right to dismiss me.
Part of my claim to influence is because I strongly believe in the power of ideas to shape society. And I have not only had many original ideas, I have published them and I have been an activist in promoting them. Discount me to your hearts content.
My connection to TRAX is Peter Calthorpe. Peter is the architect and city planner who shaped the designs of Salt Lake City. Peter has told me that he was heavily influenced in his attitudes toward urban construction and urban design by an article I wrote in the CoEvolution Quarterly. I wrote the first article that anyone had ever seen demonstrating that urban areas are environmentally more efficient and more resource preserving than suburban or rural areas. I gave an example in terms of metal and wood usage in home units as well as fuel and transportation costs for a wide range of urban daily functions.
My data was overwhelmingly accurate and convincing. That is what Peter Calthorpe is referring to when he gives me credit for his understanding of the environmental importance of urban areas. As a fanatic environmentalist, this drove Peter in the type of work he does.
That is the connection. My original and important article and Peter as a designer of the urban landscape of Salt Lake City that included theTRAX light rail system.