Monday, February 25, 2008

national surface transportation policy commission report

the national surface transportation policy commission released a study that calls for a holistic approach to infrastructure that includes roads, rails and mass transit. currently the government is spending less than 40% of the amount that is needed to sustain our transportation infrastructure. click the following link for the final report followed by an excerpt of the recoomendations.


recommendations from final report


"The first half of our Nation’s history saw that economic development was directly tied to infrastructure development. The creation of roads for vehicles and the transcontinental railroad led to trade and prosperity across the vast continent. This in turn vaulted the Nation into a position of significance in the world. The second half of our history has been dominated by the move from an agrarian society, through the Industrial Revolution, into a largely urban society and the world’s primary economic and military superpower. All of this was facilitated by the foresight of private and public sector leaders who further developed the country’s infrastructure including the Interstate highway system, the Nation’s freight rail system, and urban mass transit. Now we have outgrown this system and it is time for new leadership to step up with a vision for the next 50 years that will ensure U.S. prosperity and global preeminence for generations to come.

The U.S. now has incredible economic potential and significant transportation needs. We need to invest at least $225 billion annually from all sources for the next 50 years to upgrade our existing system to a state of good repair and create a more advanced surface transportation system to sustain and ensure strong economic growth for our families. We are spending less than 40 percent of this amount today."

Wednesday, February 6, 2008

Towards Carfree Cities VIII

portland, again, is one step ahead of us. it is hosting the first ever north american carfree conference in june.

http://carfreeportland.org/

Towards Carfree Cities VIII:
Rethinking Mobility, Rediscovering Proximity

    June 16-20, 2008
    Portland, Oregon, USA
Registration is Open!
Find details and register online on their registration page.

The Towards Carfree Cities conference series brings together people from around the world who work to promote practical alternatives to car dependence. The conference attracts professionals, advocates, and community leaders who focus on the creation of sustainable transportation systems and on the transformation of cities, towns, and villages into human-scaled environments rich in public space and community life. The fundamental role of the conference is to share knowledge and assist the practical work of conference participants, whether it be organizing community events, promoting urban cycling, or building the carfree cities of the future.