Essay about Alternative Transportation & Greenways System Plan

Beginning in June of 1952, when the Metropolitan Transportation Authority was founded, advances in transportation in New York City have improved the city’s developing economy and have benefitted people to a great extent. Located in the heart of Manhattan, the MTA headquarters are home to hundreds of different vehicles, ridden by thousands daily. The train tracks and bus routes run through Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island, and the Bronx, unifying all five boroughs and improving the lives of everyone

When it comes to the government, when planning for peak oil and climate change they have to identify the expected and potential impacts so that recommendations can be tailored for maximum effect. Governments should not only look at developing public transit and other land-use and infrastructure changes that may be needed for reducing fossil-fuel use, but should also carefully evaluate large investments in roads, airports, and other infrastructure dependent on fossil fuels. At a minimum, governments need to consider scenarios with much higher fuel prices than exist today when running models to determine demand for various options.The lead government body (e.g, the city council) should establish benchmarks and continually monitor how peak oil and climate change are unfolding and affecting the community, to see what adjustments to the plan are warranted.

The idea of advancing an economy has been a staple in political ideology since the dawn of democracy and politics itself. We as citizens of California are becoming global leaders in climate consciousness, and our efforts are involved in the advancement of eco-friendly systems, in this case, an eco-friendly mode of transportation that will theoretically increase the convenience of interstate travel as well as boost an economy that is already ranked the 8th most prosperous economy in the world. On both ends of the spectrum, both pro and con proponents of high-speed rail travel in California agree that the economic advancement of California is our best

New York City has unique benefits in that there are tremendous amounts of people who live within close proximity to each other. This has resulted in higher uses of mass transit systems (such as: subways and buses). On average, New York’s total environmental footprint is 7.1 metrics tons per person annually. This is much lower than national average of 24.5 metric tons. The city contributes 1% of the total amount of greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere for the United States each year. (“Inventory Greenhouse of New York City,” 2007) (Jarvey, 2006)

In this detailed report, essential actors such as the Transportation, Natural Resources, and California Environmental Protection Agency provide ongoing projects they are developing which collectively helps California attain an improved infrastructure plan. In recent events, Californians passed Measure M in 2016 by a 71.5% margin which will serve as sales tax to “improver freeway traffic flow/safety; repair potholes/sidewalks; repave local streets”(Metro). An unpopular decision that has affected commuters was the recent gas tax signed into effect by governor Jerry Brown on November 1st 2017. This increase in tax , formerly known as the Senate 1 Bill, increased gasoline prices by 12 cents to help fund the Department of Motor Vehicles and the Department of the California Highway Patrol. Over the course of a decade, this legislative package aims to collects $54 Billion to fix roads, freeways and bridges. In terms of distribution, $200,000,000 of the funds will go into road maintenance, $100,000,000 of the funds will go to the Active Transportation Program, and $400,000 of the funds will go to maintenance and rehabilitation (State of California

Blue Island enjoys a unique position in the south suburbs, possessing uncommon assets and considerable potential for future investment and growth. The city has a mayor council form of government. I met with Mayor Domingo Vargas and Alderman Nancy Rita to gain insight regarding issues and opportunities. Geographically, Blue Island is located just outside the City of Chicago’s corporate limits and forms part of the south suburban area. I asked both interviewees their views on the proximity of location to the City of Chicago, and what strengths and challenges come from sharing a border. Mayor Vargas believes that from a regional perspective, Blue Island is strategically positioned at the heart of the region’s transportation infrastructure. The network of roadways, rail lines, and waterways connecting Blue Island to the greater Chicago region is a unique strength that also presents some unique challenges. Alderman Nancy Rita expressed similar views regarding the location of the city. She mentioned that because Blue Island is so close to the city of Chicago, Blue Island is able to position it’s housing to individuals who may work Downtown Chicago but would prefer to live in a suburb. Blue has six Metra stations that connects it to the City of Chicago

I propose a green expansion that will go towards building electric buses and trains. Individuals could submit a one-time form to the government proving that they have a household income of less than $30,000 a year and receive monthly bus tokens. By giving free bus tokens it will help those in need in the United States by providing them more autonomy to travel without the stress of worrying about affordability. Be implementing a green policy towards public transportation we can decrease the amount of carbon dioxide emissions in our environment; reducing the effects of global warming, protect communities from air pollution, and create public sector

The city itself serves “as a transportation hub for the entire Central New York region.” (Syracuse Comprehensive Plan 2040, pg. 19). The funding for the transportation projects were available as well. Overall, the plan had the requirements and the details provided. Due to the plan being of a huge impact on the city and all the requirements connected, there are many departments that are involved in this process. This requires the collaboration and support of all the departments

Over the last several decades Kansas City leaders have taken great pride in their efforts to build a world class city. In fact, Kansas City residents passed an $800 million general obligation bond referendum to address issues of deferred maintenance and capital improvements. Mayor Sly James celebrated the passage of this referendum by stating: “These are the things to which a world-class city commits”. Kansas City’s commitment to similar investments has been illustrious, but the beneficiaries were few. Those that have benefited most are corporations and domestic travelers. Kansas City's revitalization investments are costly for all residents, whether rich or poor. This era of ongoing investment began in 1989 with the ‘Clever Plan’ to redevelop

RTD’s new BRT project will save 29,575 Metric Tons of greenhouse gases (CO2) over a 20-year period through the reduction of auto trips. The long-term strategy to address these issues are to development a more balanced transportation system that emphasizes an expansion of convenient and high quality transit services throughout the region. The amount of congestion is expected to decrease over time as ridership increases. The BRT Expansion project is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve public health and the livability of Stockton. A growing number of Stockton residents prefer to drive less and rely more on walking, bicycling, and public transportation because it is much healthier. The shift from auto travel to transit, walking, and bicycling will result in significant reduction in transportation-related

The $25 million Greenway Acquisition Project (GAP) will play a major role in funding the construction of the Beltline Trail and acquiring the right-of-way to the trail (Alex Garvin & Associates, Inc., 2004). This project will acquire and protect targeted areas in perpetuity as buffer areas. These buffer areas will be protected from development and provide a vegetated filter for surface run off. In addition, the vegetated filter will protect the land from erosion. The procurement of these areas will be solely through voluntary or contribution sales at no value greater than fair market price and will be maintained by the city. These areas will provide land and funding for the Beltline by their demolition and/or redevelopment of properties in compliance with the stream buffer (Alex Garvin & Associates, Inc., 2004). The combined funds received from acquisitions and GAP may be beneficial to go towards the construction of the Beltline Trail. Following the creation of the Beltline Trail, the capital cost of developing the Beltline Transit is estimated to be around $400 million to $1.2 billion (Alex Garvin & Associates, Inc., 2004). Initially, the invested costs must be provided by non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that will be reimbursed. The NGOs initial money to secure the right-of-way for the trail will be

“Communities should seek to identify and address “recreation deserts” and connect residents with under-utilized recreational spaces through bike and walking trails“(Hannan, 2012). A recreation desert typically is an area where there are no, or aren’t enough per capita of people using, opportunities for recreation. Large cities are the most common example of this. As we have built cities, freeways, and overpasses green space, recreation facilities, and parks have gone by the wayside. However, this is not an issue that can be addressed by just recreation professionals. To install recreation opportunities there must be political, financial, and community support and backing. There also needs to be input from those who will be using the facilities,

One of the contributing factors that is going to affect the air quality in the Plan Area, but also the living quality and the residents’ mobility is the transportation impacts. In this section, I will look closely at the impacts with the plan implemented in the Plan Area—VMT, mode share, and TNC; mitigation on cars with the utilization of bike and transit infrastructures—muni forward, Central Subway, and more and improve bike lanes. When talking about transportation, the VMT is very crucial for such an enormous redevelopment like the Plan Area because there is going to be a big increase in the number of residents in the upcoming years. An upward of 25,000 people is predicted to settle within

Maps sourced from Google maps were used along with direct visits to the studied area. Paths were studied and documented using photos and notes to observe the circulation in the area and what each path offers in terms of obstacles and possibilities for integrating bike paths into the city. Factors examined included bike lanes, topography, distance from downtown, demographics, and population density.

We have to become more responsible in our way of life and realize that oil will soon run out at current rates and we have to embrace public transportation now if we are to succeed in the upcoming future. Also, our goal is to make this a greener nation. By reducing the number of cars on the road and making it possible for every citizen to have access to public transportation, we can reach this goal. It is our duty and responsibility to take care of the planet and make sure that we do not cause our own destruction. Reducing carbon emissions and greenhouse gasses will put our nation on the right path for the future.