Putting Woodward aside for a thought experiment, what makes sense if the M1/DDOT system were to be expanded to other arteries? "Everything" is an easy answer [[and a good one), but let's limit it. Where would you put the next 8 miles of track? 20 miles?

8 miles could connect City Airport to downtown via Gratiot, and continue down Michigan to 14th Street and give a reason for MCS to be renovated to be used for its original purpose. And as a side-effect, that entire area would suddenly have much better access to Eastern Market.

Going down Michigan alone, it could split at 14th and head down Vernor thereafter, connecting downtown with one of the most vibrant areas of the city.

But Gratiot has some of the highest bus ridership after Woodward. If the means weren't there to run a line to Mt. Clemens, how far would it need to go to be useful?

What about a rail on most or all arteries, but terminating at Grand Boulevard? It wouldn't connect the suburbs, but it would allow everyone in the "inner" city to treat downtown as a real downtown.

Or would you just run a line directly to your house?