Caryn's Corner is a bimonthly newsletter produced by ACT's Executive Director, Caryn Souza. It is a compilation of the latest news and updates from the TDM industry that delivers timely information, resources, and announcements to our members, colleagues and friends. Please keep us posted on your latest news and developments by emailing your content to carynscorner@actweb.org.
Around the Association For Commuter Transportation
News to keep mobility professionals informed
ACT 2010 International Conference: General Sessions to Provide Vital TDM Insight/Updates: Later this month at this year's conference, ACT is proud to offer two general sessions that will provide valuable insight as to the current status of the TDM industry. On Monday, August 30 Jason Pavluchuk, ACT's lobbyist, will present a two hour session titled "Transportation Funding: Stuck in Traffic," updating the conference attendees on the current status in Washington of the three major topics facing our industry today: transportation authorization, climate change and energy initiatives, and the livability initiative. Jason will be providing context to our efforts in Washington, D.C. and explaining how these efforts are designed to contribute to local programs. This will also be the time for attendees to ask Jason "the big questions" that many members have regarding our industry. With so many moving pieces, this is an important time for the TDM industry, and every member owes it to themselves to understand how changes in Washington will affect them and their programs.
Then on Tuesday, August 31, ACT President Brian Shaw will be presenting on the relationship between transportation and parking. Recent research, opinions, and observations suggest that by limiting or charging more for parking, the traveling public will find other options to travel besides driving alone. Can parking and TDM coexist? ACT and the International Parking Institute (IPI) believe that TDM and parking can and should be working together to help address traffic, access and parking demand challenges.
"First Observer Training" Offered Free to All ACT 2010 Conference Attendees: Register today for the First Observer Training, which focuses on parking lot security and leverages the 'eyes and ears' of transportation professionals who travel the roadways (or in our case, work with parking lots) to Observe, Assess, and Report activities that may pose a security risk to our nation. Through First Observer Training, persons are taught to recognize suspicious behavior and activities as they relate to personal security. Many of these same threat indicators may also apply to the security of our nation. The training, taking place on Wednesday, September 1 at 7:30 a.m. in the Esmeralda Hotel, is sponsored and administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under the auspices of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and funded by the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA).
Employer and Institutional TDM Strategies--Traveler Response to Transportation System Changes:This study by the Transit Cooperative Research Program (TCRP Report 95) uses wise comparisons to explore the relative importance of particular categories of TDM strategies, such as support versus incentives, as well as the particular strategies themselves, such as transit subsidy versus a high-occupancy vehicle parking discount. Employer and Institutional TDM actions within the scope of this document can be classified into four major categories: employer or institutional support actions, provision of transportation "services," financial incentives or disincentives, and alternative work arrangements (telework).
Capital ACTivity
News on transportation demand management policy and developments from the Nation's Capital
Senator Schumer Works to Make Transit Tax Benefit Permanent:Senator Charles Schumer said he will push to make the federal mass transit tax break a permanent part of the tax code. The federal mass transit tax break, which currently saves mass transit riders over $1,000 a year, is set to expire at the end of the year. In 2009, the mass transit benefit was almost doubled to $230 a month, creating over $1,000 in savings for commuters. Schumer, a Democrat from New York, is pushing to make the $230 transit benefit permanent; otherwise, it's due to expire on Dec. 21.
Electric Cars - A Revolution in Transportation:US Senator Carl Levin believes that determination to bring reliable and affordable electric vehicles to the market will lead to "a revolution in transportation, for the sake of our economy and for the sake of our planet." He refers to the projections 10 percent of new vehicle will be plug-in hybrid and electric vehicles, and states that he believes we double or even triple those projections. Levin believes that mass-market electric vehicles becoming a reality would revive "an economy that has spent more than half a century shackled to oil." The federal government has made a $5 billion investment "aimed at electrifying - literally and metaphorically - the U.S. transportation sector.
Senator Kerry Introduces a Second Energy Bill:Only one month after his first energy failed to make it past the senate floor, Senator Kerry has introduced a new energy bill. Unlike his last bill, which focused on punishments for companies which failed to meet clean energy standards, this bill focuses instead on reward those who do meet specific standards. "In addition to providing $3.5 billion in extra funding for clean renewable energy bonds as a way to fund green infrastructure projects, the legislation would also extend tax credits designed to promote the use of renewable energy, some of which expired last year," including the resurrection of a tax credit for biodiesel and renewable diesel, a tax credit which expired December 31, 2009. Additionally, this bill would provide new incentives for natural gas-based heavy vehicles, and give extra support to batteries for advanced vehicles.
TDM News
Timely and insightful commentary, analysis and opinions regarding important trends, topics and developments in transportation demand management at the national, state, regional and local levels
Michigan Public Transit Sustains 9,200 Jobs, Provides $1 Billion Economic Impact:For every 10 jobs created in the public transit sector, six additional jobs are created in the rest of the economy, according to a study released by the Michigan Public Transit Association (MPTA) and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT). The study estimates that transit operations sustained about 9,200 jobs and contributed $1 billion in economic output in Michigan in 2008. The study also says that the money passengers save by taking the bus add $264.4 million to the Michigan economy.
SANDAG Rolls Out Network of Electric Car Battery Charging Stations:The San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) recently selected the sites of 1,500 electric car battery charging stations that will be installed throughout San Diego County over the next few months. SANDAG's vice-chairman Jack Dale is calling this "the biggest installation of this type in the history of the world." This is all part of the EV Project, which will also install about 15,000 stations in 15 cities besides San Diego. The government is sponsoring this roll out of charging stations, coordinating with the releases of the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt, two of the first electric cars to be released this year.
Georgia Governor Announces State's First Telework Week - August 23 - 27:Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue, along with the Clean Air Campaign, announced that the week of August 23-27 in Georgia will be dedicated "to promoting the many benefits of telework and ask employers and commuters throughout Georgia to show their support during Georgia Telework Week." The week is meant to save on transportation, reduce traffic congestion on the state's congested roads, and perhaps even persuade a few employers to launch more long-term teleworking programs. Georgia already offers the "Georgia Telework Tax Credit," which provides up to $20,000 in tax credits, plus up to $1,200 for each new teleworker, to employers that establish or expand telework programs. Free consultation services are offered to employers interested in learning more about applying for the tax credit.
California Energy Commission approves electric vehicle funding:In an effort to meet the state's climate goals, the California Energy Commission (CEC) approved a $108 million investment plan intended to speed development of electric vehicle technologies and alternative transportation fuel resources. According to the CEC, this investment focuses on technologies that "show the most promise and market potential, while balancing the need to have a robust portfolio approach to technology development." By 2015, California sales of electric, plug-in vehicles are expected to surpass 250,000, and hydrogen vehicle numbers are expected to rise over the next ten years, as well.
The Commuter Transportation Flyer
Updates from transportation demand management systems from across the country
Indiana University Campus Bus Moves Record 3.5 Million Riders: As Bloomington, Ind.-based Indiana University (IU) has seen a healthy boost in enrollment, the IU Campus Bus system has accommodated the burst in student influx with a new night service and vehicle reconfigurations. In the last fiscal year, the transit system carried 3.5 million riders, trumping the previous year's record by 300,000 passengers, an increase of more than 10 percent over the past year. Additionally, student enrollment has gone up from about 38,000 to nearly 42,000 over the past four years. As a result, passenger boardings have jumped from 70 per hour to 84 an hour.
San Antonio's VIA Debuts New Hybrid Buses: VIA's 30 new diesel-electric hybrid buses are equipped with reclining seats, overhead bins, reading lights and free wireless Internet. Local officials said they hope the buses will help increase the number of VIA's "choice riders," those who own cars but sometimes choose to use public transit to commute instead. The buses also represent VIA's commitment to a green future, said VIA board President Henry Muñoz. The transit agency is a 100 percent user of CPS Energy's Windtricity program and is adding compressed-natural-gas buses and zero-emission electric buses to its fleet. Mayor Julián Castro noted that the new buses will help air quality in San Antonio, the last major U.S. city to avoid designation as a noncompliant city under federal air standards.
UNLV (Nev.) Plans New Transit Center: Commuting to and from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) main campus will become more convenient in the near future thanks to upcoming developments in public transportation. The Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC) has received a $2.7 million grant to build a new transit center, which will be located west of Maryland Parkway on University Road. Construction is projected to begin in 2011. Funding for the transit center is being provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Transit Administration's Bus and Bus Livability Grant Program, which awarded a total of $163 million to 47 projects across the United States.
Free Bus Service Aims to Lure Consumer Dollars to Oakland: In an attempt to stimulate the city's economy, the City of Oakland (CA) is offering a free bus route that will run a three mile loop "between Jack London Square and Uptown, including stops at City Center, Old Oakland, and Chinatown." Nicknamed "the B," this shuttle aims to stimulate an economy which, as a result of recent budget cuts, was just forced to lose 80 police officers. Of the $730,000 needed to operate this shuttle annually, $150,000 comes from private sources such as downtown developers and property owners, $500,000 comes from an AQMD grant program, and the remaining $80,000 comes from Oakland's redevelopment agency. Several downtown restaurants and other businesses are already promoting "the B," hoping it brings more activity into the city during weekdays.
Vanpools Found to be the Solution to a Unique Situation in Yolo County, California: Farm workers in Yolo County, California have traditionally had no public transportation to their work. Now, thanks to the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), these workers will have a cheap option to commute to and from work, using vanpools. Once SACOG secured a $2 million grant to start the program, including the acquisition of the first vans, the program went into effect. The grant funds are expected to last until July 2011, but even then it will cost each rider only $25 per month to ride. The program is expected to eventually grow to between 25 and 30 vans throughout Yolo, Yuba, Sutter, and Sacramento Counties.
Lodi County Transportation Teams With Google to Make Public Transportation More Accessible: Lodi County has teamed up with Google Transit to allow riders to plan their transportation online. "Google Transit makes Lodi's bus and train schedules searchable and linked with the transit schedules of other cities to help people plan trips," said Julia Tyack, Lodi's transportation planner. The California DOT funded the project to get the schedules online, and the program will allow riders to view schedules of transit options from other cities, and coordinate routes in advance. The program allows users to get comparisons for the price of driving compared to taking the bus, and also provides directions for walking or biking throughout the city.
Association for Commuter Transportation
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