I'm not sure why the City doesn't have this on their website yet, but I'm sure it will be posted soon.
For release April 1, 2010
Knoxville – It’s official. Downtown Knoxville will soon be a car free zone. Officials with Smart Trips announced today that Knoxville will become car free as of April 1, 2011. “We’re beyond thrilled,” said Kelley Segars, Senior Transportation Planner and developer of the Knoxville region’s Smart Trips program. “It’s unbelievable!”
The new designation calls for Downtown Knoxville to go car free in stages initially reducing the use of automobiles by 50 percent over the next 6 months before reaching the goal of zero by April 1, 2011.
Car free commuters will still be able to use currently available green alternatives such as taking the bus, walking or bicycling to work or becoming a telecommuter as options for getting to work. A combination of driving to a park and ride lot and taking the bus or trolley into the downtown area will also still be another available option.
Those with questions about how the new designation may affect them should go to Smart Trips facebook page at www.facebook.com/knoxsmarttrips.
April fools!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Global Climate Change Impacts in U.S.
"This web page will introduce and lead you through the content of the most comprehensive and authoritative report of its kind that summarizes the science and the impacts of climate change on the United States, now and in the future. It focuses on climate change impacts in different regions of the U.S. (see here for Southeast) and on various aspects of society and the economy such as energy, water, agriculture, and health."
Not to sound like the preview for the latest Michael Bay movie, but the report lists the following key issues in the Southeast:
Projected increases in air and water temperatures will cause heat-related stresses for people, plants, and animals.
Effects of increased heat include more heat-related illness; declines in forest growth and agricultural crop production due to the combined effects of heat stress and declining soil moisture; declines in cattle production; increased buckling of pavement and railways; and reduced oxygen levels in streams and lakes, leading to fish kills and declines in aquatic species diversity.
Decreased water availability is very likely to affect the region’s economy as well as its natural systems.
Sea-level rise and the likely increase in hurricane intensity and associated storm surge will be among the most serious consequences of climate change.
Ecological thresholds are likely to be crossed throughout the region, causing major disruptions to ecosystems and to the benefits they provide to people.
Quality of life will be affected by increasing heat stress, water scarcity, severe weather events, and reduced availability of insurance for at-risk properties.
Not to sound like the preview for the latest Michael Bay movie, but the report lists the following key issues in the Southeast:
Projected increases in air and water temperatures will cause heat-related stresses for people, plants, and animals.
Effects of increased heat include more heat-related illness; declines in forest growth and agricultural crop production due to the combined effects of heat stress and declining soil moisture; declines in cattle production; increased buckling of pavement and railways; and reduced oxygen levels in streams and lakes, leading to fish kills and declines in aquatic species diversity.
Decreased water availability is very likely to affect the region’s economy as well as its natural systems.
Sea-level rise and the likely increase in hurricane intensity and associated storm surge will be among the most serious consequences of climate change.
Ecological thresholds are likely to be crossed throughout the region, causing major disruptions to ecosystems and to the benefits they provide to people.
Quality of life will be affected by increasing heat stress, water scarcity, severe weather events, and reduced availability of insurance for at-risk properties.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
EPA grant to TDOT will reduce idling at TN truck stops
Governor Bredesen Announces EPA Recovery Act Grant Award to Tennessee
Grant Will Fund Efforts to “Electrify” Truck Stops Across Tennessee
NASHVILLE – Governor Bredesen announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency has selected the Tennessee Department of Transportation to receive a $2 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act discretionary grant to begin equipping truck stops across the state with truck stop electrification (TSE) technology. Truck stop electrification systems provide heating and cooling for sleeper cab compartments and power to run electrical appliances, such as computers and microwaves. TSE systems also allow trucks outfitted with on-board equipment to "plug in" to operate necessary systems without idling the engine.
“To help improve highway safety, truck drivers are required to rest for 10 hours after driving 11 hours, and trucks idling for extended periods impact air quality and can be costly for their drivers,” said Bredesen. “The electrification infrastructure that will be installed through this Recovery Act grant will allow truck drivers across Tennessee to reduce diesel emissions, save money and remain comfortable when resting.”
The project titled, “Reducing Idling Emissions from Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks: Tennessee's Green Corridor Approach to Truck Stop Electrification,” was one of 99 projects in the southeast submitted to EPA for Recovery Act discretionary grant funds to improve air quality. The project will also save trucking companies the cost of fuel that would be used when idling. The EPA estimates that annual fuel savings could exceed $3,240 per truck parking space.
"This grant is a great investment in environmental protection and will provide long-term economic benefits for Tennessee," said Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Regional Administrator in Atlanta. "This funding will go a long way in helping to bolster the economy and protect public health and the environment by creating green jobs that improve air quality."
The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that approximately 5,000 truck stops in the United States offer parking and other services, including fueling stations, restaurants, stores, and showers. The Recovery Act grant award will allow TDOT to solicit competitive grant applications from truck stop companies to purchase and install TSE technology at truck parking spaces at 6-10 truck stops along Tennessee’s interstate corridors.
“Avoiding unnecessary engine idling is a simple, practical way to protect air quality, especially for large diesel trucks, because it saves fuel and money, and reduces harmful emissions,” said TDOT Commissioner Nicely. “This project is another step toward achieving cleaner transportation in Tennessee, and we look forward to partnering with truck stops across the state to provide truckers with another practical option to reduce engine idling and save money.”
To prepare their applications, truck stops will seek bids from TSE technology vendors. Truck stops may request up to 100 percent funding, although adding match dollars will strengthen their application. Grant selection criteria will include the truck stop’s proximity to areas with large volumes of diesel trucks, cost-effectiveness in terms of average cost per TSE parking space, the match (if any) provided by the company, amenities offered by the truck stop to attract truckers, the quality of the truck stop marketing plan, willingness to establish idle-free zones at the truck stop, and ease of access from the interstate.
The request for truck stop applications will be published in early July and will allow about 60 days for the preparation of applications. Information on the program will be posted on the TDOT website at www.Tennessee.gov/tdot/recovery.
Grant Will Fund Efforts to “Electrify” Truck Stops Across Tennessee
NASHVILLE – Governor Bredesen announced today that the Environmental Protection Agency has selected the Tennessee Department of Transportation to receive a $2 million American Reinvestment and Recovery Act discretionary grant to begin equipping truck stops across the state with truck stop electrification (TSE) technology. Truck stop electrification systems provide heating and cooling for sleeper cab compartments and power to run electrical appliances, such as computers and microwaves. TSE systems also allow trucks outfitted with on-board equipment to "plug in" to operate necessary systems without idling the engine.
“To help improve highway safety, truck drivers are required to rest for 10 hours after driving 11 hours, and trucks idling for extended periods impact air quality and can be costly for their drivers,” said Bredesen. “The electrification infrastructure that will be installed through this Recovery Act grant will allow truck drivers across Tennessee to reduce diesel emissions, save money and remain comfortable when resting.”
The project titled, “Reducing Idling Emissions from Heavy-Duty Diesel Trucks: Tennessee's Green Corridor Approach to Truck Stop Electrification,” was one of 99 projects in the southeast submitted to EPA for Recovery Act discretionary grant funds to improve air quality. The project will also save trucking companies the cost of fuel that would be used when idling. The EPA estimates that annual fuel savings could exceed $3,240 per truck parking space.
"This grant is a great investment in environmental protection and will provide long-term economic benefits for Tennessee," said Stan Meiburg, EPA Acting Regional Administrator in Atlanta. "This funding will go a long way in helping to bolster the economy and protect public health and the environment by creating green jobs that improve air quality."
The U.S. Department of Transportation estimates that approximately 5,000 truck stops in the United States offer parking and other services, including fueling stations, restaurants, stores, and showers. The Recovery Act grant award will allow TDOT to solicit competitive grant applications from truck stop companies to purchase and install TSE technology at truck parking spaces at 6-10 truck stops along Tennessee’s interstate corridors.
“Avoiding unnecessary engine idling is a simple, practical way to protect air quality, especially for large diesel trucks, because it saves fuel and money, and reduces harmful emissions,” said TDOT Commissioner Nicely. “This project is another step toward achieving cleaner transportation in Tennessee, and we look forward to partnering with truck stops across the state to provide truckers with another practical option to reduce engine idling and save money.”
To prepare their applications, truck stops will seek bids from TSE technology vendors. Truck stops may request up to 100 percent funding, although adding match dollars will strengthen their application. Grant selection criteria will include the truck stop’s proximity to areas with large volumes of diesel trucks, cost-effectiveness in terms of average cost per TSE parking space, the match (if any) provided by the company, amenities offered by the truck stop to attract truckers, the quality of the truck stop marketing plan, willingness to establish idle-free zones at the truck stop, and ease of access from the interstate.
The request for truck stop applications will be published in early July and will allow about 60 days for the preparation of applications. Information on the program will be posted on the TDOT website at www.Tennessee.gov/tdot/recovery.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Where The Streets Have No Cars
Some communities are implementing car-free zones on certain days of the week to encourage pedestrian and cycling traffic. Read a bit more here
and at:
Ciclovia, Car-Free Planning, Summer Streets NYC, World Car-Free.Net, and Sunday Streets San Francisco
Friday, June 19, 2009
The Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009
http://atfiles.org/files/pdf/SurfaceTransportationSummary.pdf
Thanks to Ellen Zavisca for sharing this excerpt:
Improve Livability and Environmental Sustainability of Communities
Providing transportation choices and creating livable communities is essential to improving mobility for all users and ensuring that the transportation system enhances our quality of life. Expanding access to sustainable modes of transportation, and incorporating long-term mobility needs into the community planning process will yield significant benefits for public health and the environment.
To provide national leadership for the creation of livable communities and the developmentof sustainable transportation choices, the Surface Transportation Authorization Act creates an Office of Livability within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of DOT.
The Office of Livability will establish a focal point within FHWA to advance environmentally sustainable modes of transportation, including transit, walking, and bicycling. This Office will encourage integrated planning, linking land use and transportation planning, to support the creation of livable communities. To ensure that roadways are built with the needs of all users in mind, the Surface Transportation Authorization Act requires that States and metropolitan regions consider comprehensive street design principles. Comprehensive street design takes into account the needs of all users, including motorists, motorcyclists, transit riders, cyclists, pedestrians, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Comprehensive street design principles are not prescriptive,do not mandate any particular design elements, and result in greatly varied facilities depending on the specific needs of the community in which they are located.
The Surface Transportation Authorization Act transforms the current transportation
planning process by linking transportation planning with greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with DOT, will establish national transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. DOT, under the existing transportation planning process, will require States and metropolitan regions to develop surface transportation-related greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and incorporate strategies to meet these targets into their transportation plans. DOT, through performance measures, will verify that States and metropolitan areas achieve progress towards national transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions reduction
goals.
Thanks to Ellen Zavisca for sharing this excerpt:
Improve Livability and Environmental Sustainability of Communities
Providing transportation choices and creating livable communities is essential to improving mobility for all users and ensuring that the transportation system enhances our quality of life. Expanding access to sustainable modes of transportation, and incorporating long-term mobility needs into the community planning process will yield significant benefits for public health and the environment.
To provide national leadership for the creation of livable communities and the developmentof sustainable transportation choices, the Surface Transportation Authorization Act creates an Office of Livability within the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) of DOT.
The Office of Livability will establish a focal point within FHWA to advance environmentally sustainable modes of transportation, including transit, walking, and bicycling. This Office will encourage integrated planning, linking land use and transportation planning, to support the creation of livable communities. To ensure that roadways are built with the needs of all users in mind, the Surface Transportation Authorization Act requires that States and metropolitan regions consider comprehensive street design principles. Comprehensive street design takes into account the needs of all users, including motorists, motorcyclists, transit riders, cyclists, pedestrians, the elderly, and individuals with disabilities. Comprehensive street design principles are not prescriptive,do not mandate any particular design elements, and result in greatly varied facilities depending on the specific needs of the community in which they are located.
The Surface Transportation Authorization Act transforms the current transportation
planning process by linking transportation planning with greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The Environmental Protection Agency, in consultation with DOT, will establish national transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals. DOT, under the existing transportation planning process, will require States and metropolitan regions to develop surface transportation-related greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and incorporate strategies to meet these targets into their transportation plans. DOT, through performance measures, will verify that States and metropolitan areas achieve progress towards national transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions reduction
goals.
CAC's Volunteer Assisted Transportation
This from Warren Secrest at CAC's Office on Aging:
VOLUNTEER ASSISTED TRANSPORTATION - Provides accessible and affordable transportation to Knox County seniors and persons with disabilities who require assistance to travel safely. Transportation is provided by screened and trained volunteer drivers in agency-owned vehicles. Volunteers provide reasonable, non-medical assistance to riders throughout their trips. Riders may request transportation and assistance to medical appointments, shopping, essential errands, as well as social and recreational trips. Ride availability is based on volunteer driver availiability. In-county fare: $3.00 one-way or $6.00 roundtrip. Out of county fares will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Sliding scale fares availiable. Donations accepted. Application required to determine rider eligibility.
Warren Secrest
CAC Office on Aging
Volunteer Assisted Transportation
2247 Western Avenue
P.O. Box 51650
Knoxville, TN 37950-1650
ph 865-524-2786
fx 865-546-0832
warren.secrest@knoxcac.org
"CAC: Helping People. Changing Lives."
www.knoxcac.org
VOLUNTEER ASSISTED TRANSPORTATION - Provides accessible and affordable transportation to Knox County seniors and persons with disabilities who require assistance to travel safely. Transportation is provided by screened and trained volunteer drivers in agency-owned vehicles. Volunteers provide reasonable, non-medical assistance to riders throughout their trips. Riders may request transportation and assistance to medical appointments, shopping, essential errands, as well as social and recreational trips. Ride availability is based on volunteer driver availiability. In-county fare: $3.00 one-way or $6.00 roundtrip. Out of county fares will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Sliding scale fares availiable. Donations accepted. Application required to determine rider eligibility.
Warren Secrest
CAC Office on Aging
Volunteer Assisted Transportation
2247 Western Avenue
P.O. Box 51650
Knoxville, TN 37950-1650
ph 865-524-2786
fx 865-546-0832
warren.secrest@knoxcac.org
"CAC: Helping People. Changing Lives."
www.knoxcac.org
Lots of info for those with extra time
Here are some great alternative transportation sites, courtesy of transalt.org (some are location-specific, but could provide ideas for future Smart Trips initiatives if you're interested). If you follow the link, it will lead to sites which I'll be perusing to share interesting nuggets here as time allows. Feel free to discuss, share, suggest, get excited, what have you.
United We Serve
I attended a meeting today about Obama's "United We Serve" campaign, which is currently gaining traction in Knox County with non-profits and grassroots groups connecting with volunteers interested in coordinating their own service projects or supporting those already in existence.
http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/united_serve.php
The campaign will run from June 22 through September 11, 2009, and the four focus areas are: promoting clean energy, energy efficiency and public land restoration; supporting education and literacy for all Americans; increasing health care access, public health awareness and prevention; and providing community renewal to areas hardest hit by the economic crisis.
The meeting this morning at United Way, the agency coordinating the local committee, brought together 70 or so local government, nonprofit and service groups to brainstorm a plan for our community, which is a model county for the program nationwide. Some ideas that were mentioned included: planting community gardens, assisting with clean-up of blighted properties, identifying county-owned properties that could be converted into community gardens or public space and assisting with clean-up to meet codes, reading to children, mentoring and tutoring, organizing bike trains and walking school buses for elementary school students in your neighborhood, planting trees, a "Share the Health" day on Market Square Sept. 11, conducting audits of your home's energy use on the KUB website, donating books, bikes and seeds to benefit the three focus areas, working with seniors to promote health and exercise... it was a great brainstorming session with lots of neat ideas.
Visit http://www.serve.gov/ for more information, to create a project, find a volunteer opportunity or lend your support and ideas.
http://www.knoxcounty.org/current09/united_serve.php
The campaign will run from June 22 through September 11, 2009, and the four focus areas are: promoting clean energy, energy efficiency and public land restoration; supporting education and literacy for all Americans; increasing health care access, public health awareness and prevention; and providing community renewal to areas hardest hit by the economic crisis.
The meeting this morning at United Way, the agency coordinating the local committee, brought together 70 or so local government, nonprofit and service groups to brainstorm a plan for our community, which is a model county for the program nationwide. Some ideas that were mentioned included: planting community gardens, assisting with clean-up of blighted properties, identifying county-owned properties that could be converted into community gardens or public space and assisting with clean-up to meet codes, reading to children, mentoring and tutoring, organizing bike trains and walking school buses for elementary school students in your neighborhood, planting trees, a "Share the Health" day on Market Square Sept. 11, conducting audits of your home's energy use on the KUB website, donating books, bikes and seeds to benefit the three focus areas, working with seniors to promote health and exercise... it was a great brainstorming session with lots of neat ideas.
Visit http://www.serve.gov/ for more information, to create a project, find a volunteer opportunity or lend your support and ideas.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
City of Knoxville energy efficiency and conservation plans
City to Establish Curbside Recycling Program
June 17, 2009 - The City of Knoxville will use part of a $2.012 million federal stimulus grant to try and establish a single-stream, curbside recycling program for residents.
In addition to the recycling effort the city wants to use funds from the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program – part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – to support seven different energy and conservation related initiatives. The U.S. Department of Energy is managing the block grants...
Read more: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2009/0617b.asp
June 17, 2009 - The City of Knoxville will use part of a $2.012 million federal stimulus grant to try and establish a single-stream, curbside recycling program for residents.
In addition to the recycling effort the city wants to use funds from the Energy Efficiency & Conservation Block Grant Program – part of the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act – to support seven different energy and conservation related initiatives. The U.S. Department of Energy is managing the block grants...
Read more: http://www.cityofknoxville.org/Press_Releases/Content/2009/0617b.asp
Monday, June 15, 2009
Vehicle Miles Traveled: Where we stand (still in traffic)
In case you're like me and can't read the following text, Knoxville ranks 13 per capita and 64th nationally in Vehicle Miles Traveled, according to this December 2008study by the Brookings Institute:
Brookings VMT Cities Ranking
Brookings VMT Cities Ranking
Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Commuter Challenge drawing to a close
Please remember to log your commutes by June 12 to be eligible for the Commuter Challenge grand finale drawing June 15. The Challenge coincided with the SmartFix40 interstate construction, and since its May 2008 inception, thousands of dollars in monthly and quarterly gift cards have been distributed to Smart Trips participants who have logged 5 days of alternative commutes each month.
On June 15, the lucky winners of our grand prizes will be announced, with prizes including:
10 iPod Shuffles
6 iPod Touch
6 Nintendo Wii
and one $1500 AAA travel package!
Stay tuned and good luck!!
On June 15, the lucky winners of our grand prizes will be announced, with prizes including:
10 iPod Shuffles
6 iPod Touch
6 Nintendo Wii
and one $1500 AAA travel package!
Stay tuned and good luck!!
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