The WAVE is an investment in our future

The American Dream Coalition, an advocacy organization, is mounting a campaign to stop the WAVE streetcar in Fort Lauderdale. Residents should look to objective research on the impacts of streetcars. Uber is not a substitute, but a compliment.

Streetcars uniquely create walkable, mixed-use, and vibrant neighborhoods. The WAVE would connect the downtown core to the Brightline Station, destinations like FAT Village and Las Olas, and employment hubs like the courthouse and hospital. Fort Lauderdale can expand walkability, which has many public health benefits not attainable by on-demand car services.

All transportation projects take many years to build, but we must still invest in the future. At this stage, Fort Lauderdale residents should be debating how to maximize the land uses along the WAVE corridor, not turn away a major investment that many other cities are trying to build. Debate should be based on credible data and research, not upon the mission of an advocacy organization.

Please note, the views here expressed represent only the views of Dr. John Renne, not the views of Florida Atlantic University or the Transportation Research Board.

John L. Renne serves as chair of Transportation and Land Development Committee, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies. Renne is also an associate professor and director of the Center for Urban and Environmental Solutions at FAU.