Dear Dr. Gridlock:
A year or so ago, I remember Metro was trying out some new styles and designs for its trains. Readers discussed and even voted on several fabrics.
It's amazing that after all this time, Metro officials still haven't made a decision. I'm wondering whether they have started over from scratch, as the seats I remember had various prints, not just a different fabric. I share the other writers' concern about slippery floors. On a crowded train, you cannot always get a secure hand hold. I'd suggest something like rough textured strips of the sort that might be used in a pool or tub, only more durable.
Harise Poland-Wright, Silver Spring
DG: Metro makes most of its design and style changes quite slowly. The transit authority has been testing ideas for the next generation of rail cars since 2008. Four of the newest cars in the fleet got a makeover to test out the appearance and durability of various floor and seat coverings. At that time, we displayed the test versions in a Commuter page feature and received many reader comments.
From time to time, riders write in to say they've just seen one of those test cars still traveling the system. I think the fabric seat coverings have held up quite well, as did the darker-colored ones. The other floor styles, with their shades of gray, are starting to look old.
Metro is reviving the process of getting public comment as it moves into the final phase of designing the next generation of rail cars, the ones known as the 7000 Series. The Jan. 30 Commuter page described the process and included many comments we've already received from readers about potential design changes.
When we discuss those potential changes, most riders vote for a style of seat, or a pole placement or floor design that they're comfortable with. Should the transit authority also consider how these and other changes in the rail cars' appearance harmonize with the system's overall design?
Metro's original planners spent a lot of time designing a system in which colors, patterns and designs meshed. The generations of planners and managers who came after them have slowly eroded the original design concept, for better or worse. Many riders don't notice these slowly evolving changes or find them acceptable. For example, I doubt that many will notice the disappearance of the "Metro brown" paint from the exterior of the 7000 Series cars. It was a decorative touch that harmonized the car detailing with the station detailing.
WIPERS AND HEADLIGHTS
Dear Dr. Gridlock:
Your column about the live chat of Dec. 13 got my attention, especially about headlights and windshield wipers. This topic came up in your column months ago, and I learned that drivers must turn on their headlights when using their wipers.
What do headlights have to do with windshield wipers? The real issue is that rain reduces visibility to everyone, and headlights make your vehicle more visible. Why on earth did the General Assembly get windshield wipers in the equation?
Technically, this stupid law requires you to put on your headlights whenever you wash your windshield while driving. This law should be replaced with one that requires you to use your wipers whenever precipitation or road spray is present, whether your wipers are on or not.
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