Our research problem is focused on questioning whether or not the BQX is the best way to supply transportation to underserved areas. Brooklyn waterfront is underserved in terms of transportation. There are also very few brooklyn-queens connections. furthermore, streetcars once existed on NYC streets. When cars and subways came along they made streetcars obsolete. As neighborhoods changed from industrial to commercial or residential, street cars also had less of a reason to exist. However cars and subways have cause overcrowding a major issue.

Street cars sound cool and it’s being funded by tech startups and other companies. These companies also have existing investments in neighborhoods serviced by the proposed BQX. These companies favoring the line has influenced politicians to advance with the proposal. However, the line would bring gentrification to the areas served, increasing property value. In name, it sounds like a good project. In actuality, there are many ulterior motives to this project. There may be issues regarding the displacement of people living in the neighborhood. “Red Tape” may hold up a lot of the process.  

We have some knowledge from experience due to members who live by the proposed line. We also have some sort of knowledge on the cultural background of the communities around the proposed line are like. Our academic knowledge comes from the Mayor’s website which outlines the plan and the project’s benefits/growth that would result from its construction. It laos includes the projected costs and sources of funding.

We seek to understand whether this proposal is even going to happen. What is the schedule like? We also want to understand the safety measures of the streetcar? Furthermore, NYC is an advance city therefore we want to know how technologically advanced are the streetcars that are proposed.