Public Transportation for a Greener Community

Transcription

1 Public Transportation for a Greener Community Justin Harris Tashya Petersen Bobby Reeves Josephine Lee Amber Conner Chris Martin

2 Project Thesis Our goal is to design a bus system focusing on each city in Northwest Arkansas. The bus systems would compliment the proposed light rail system. This system would create a more energy efficient environment for the Northwest Arkansas Community.

3 Carbon Footprint Leave a footprint on someone s heart, not on the earth The Public Transportation survey averaged 1802 hours of driving from those who preferred to drive. When calculations were applied, this amount of driving produced 1,741 lbs of CO₂ per week, 6,966 lbs of CO₂ per month, and 83,598 lbs of CO₂ per year.

4 Why this topic? Create a More Energy-Efficient Community Cut down on traffic Cut down on emissions Lead to urban development Transportation accessibility Expand usage of public services Help in the proposal of the light rail system Save money by not purchasing gas and automobile maintenance fees

5 Light Rail System Light rails are intended for light loads and fast movement H. Dean Quinby Capacity to carry more passengers Appear like train, with more than one car connected together Have more doors to encourage full usage of space Faster and quieter in operation

6 Term light rail introduced in 1972 First North American light rail system in 1978 Light rail systems are an emissions-free mode of transit Light rail system consumes fuel at onethird rate of car and onefourth rate of SUV per mile Light Rail System

7 Proposed Locations for Light Rail System Northwest Arkansas The nation s 6 th fastest growing region Light rail system would conduct usage to the existing railway passage Route would loop from Drake Field Airport in Fayetteville to the Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Bentonville and back

8 Light Rail: Fayetteville, Arkansas

9 Light Rail: Springdale, Arkansas

10 Light Rail: Rogers, Arkansas

11 Light Rail: Bentonville, Arkansas

12 FACTS There is an increase in the property, residential and commercial, values around the stops. (UACDC) Every dollar that U.S. taxpayers invest in rail transit generates $6 or more in economic returns. No other transportation system has comparable economic development power. (UACDC)

13 Ozark Regional Transit Dedicated to providing safe, reliable, and affordable public transportation to rural and urban residents of the four county area Serves mainly Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers, and Bentonville Route 54 services up and down I-540, from Fayetteville to NWACC 2009: 11 routes with 10 buses

14 ORT: Fayetteville, Arkansas

15 ORT: Springdale, Arkansas

16 ORT: Rogers, Arkansas

17 ORT: Bentonville, Arkansas

18 Razorback Transit A branch of Ozark Regional Transit Services mainly University of Arkansas and Fayetteville area 14 routes with 21 buses 80% students, 20% Non-students

19 FACTS Highway fatalities in U.S. during 2001: 46,803. (UACDC) Light rail fatalities in U.S. during 2001: 22 (21 due to motorists illegally crossing over rail tracks) (UACDC)

20 Integration of Modes: Tempt motorists away from commuting by their own cars. Larger proportion of car drivers will use public transportation when a modern light rail is a mode of transportation Bus and light rail systems are beneficial to more green communities and lifestyles, BUT a transit system that incorporates BOTH light rail and bus services would be the MOST BENEFICIAL for our future.

21 Integration of Modes: Fayetteville, Arkansas

22 Integration of Modes: Springdale, Arkansas

23 Integration of Modes: Rogers, Arkansas

24 Integration of Modes: Bentonville, Arkansas

25 FACT Americans living in transitintensive areas save $22 billion each year by using public transportation. (UACDC)

26 Survey on Public Transportation Group conducted 200 surveys in NWA Questions pertained to gathering knowledge about public transportation Discovered the majority of surveys claim enjoyment a light rail system

27 SURVEY RESULTS Do you use public transportation? 87% said no, they would rather drive Fact: More than a bus, rail transit attracts former car commuters, In Denver, 48% of light rail riders had never previously used public transit; in St. Louis it was 70%. How many hours a week do you spend driving on average? For the people that chose to drive, the average hours totaled 1,802 hours per week Fact: According to publictransportation.org the average American driver sat in traffic for a combined 3.7 billion hours in A normal rush hour driver wastes an average 99 gallons of gas a year due to traffic. The average cost of time lost in rush hour traffic is $1,160 per person.

28 Tasks Completed Conducted surveys Researched our subjects Created Power Point Presentations Made contacts with knowledgeable individuals Created maps to help display route locations Designed brochure to educate and promote public transportation

29 Technology Used Computer programs: Preview (Mac) Adobe Photoshop CS3 Internet Microsoft Office Maps (UACDC) Literary materials (UACDC)

30 Future Insights Expand routes to surrounding towns: Farmington, Tontitown, Bethel Heights, Lowell, Prairie Creek, Centerton, Little Flock, and Avoca. Develop correlating schedules for the buses and light rail system. Present the whole project with expansions to City Councils in the four major cities.

31 Conclusion Through our research, we understand that implementing a more mature public transit will deplete carbon footprint and cost a little more money to construct but it will assist in maintaining full usage of existing landmarks and a more energy-efficient environment.