asheville’s going green transportation strategy

Asheville’s Transportation StrategyGoing Green!Going Green!

h d b blLawrence J. Murphy, P.E. and Rebecca Jablon, AICP, LEED APCDM

NYPTA's Innovation and Sustainability Spring ConferenceNYPTA s Innovation and Sustainability Spring ConferenceJune 11, 2009

Presentation OutlineA Sustainable Asheville

Approach to Improving Sustainability

The Sustainability Plan

Looking Forwardg

Q/A

Photo Credit Mark CombsPhoto Credit Mark Combs

A Sustainable AshevilleSustainability for the City of Asheville is defined as responsible decision-making and resource use with the intent of meeting our present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs through achievement of excellence in environmental stewardship, economic growth and social responsibility. p, g p y

Photo Credit Mark Combs

A Sustainable AshevilleMinimization of Carbon & Water Footprints

Prevention of Further Pollution

Public Benefits

Waste Reduction

R Effi iConservation & Protection of Natural Resources

Ad t f R bl

Resource Efficiency

Beneficial Land Reuse

Advancement of Renewable Energy

Cost Savings

Stakeholder Engagement

Strengthening of Economies+ ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIPECONOMIC GROWTH

+ SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

the “Triple Bottom Line” Community Outreachthe “Triple Bottom Line”

A Sustainable AshevilleICLEI Member since 2006 and signed US Conference of Mayors “Mayor’s Climate Protection Agreement”

Created Sustainability Advisory Committee and Office of Sustainability

Resolution passed in 2007 committing to a reduction of Resolution passed in 2007 committing to a reduction of Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2% per year until an 80% reduction has been achieved.

l d f h d f l h h d– Resolution identifies the need for a management plan to achieve this and other sustainability goals

Improving Sustainability


Approach to Improving Sustainability

A management system approach:

Aligns an organization around a Aligns an organization around a common value set

Provides a mechanism for organizing diverse concepts and ideas into a diverse concepts and ideas into a coordinated strategy for implementation.

Provides a consistent mechanism for monitoring progress and continuous improvement.

Sustainability PlanThe Plan is reflective of and aligned with the management system approach.

The Plan address the full spectrum of local government services The Plan address the full spectrum of local government services, including:

• buildings• water

Strategies and actions best practices and institutional/policy

• land use planning• communication

• transportation• solid waste

Strategies and actions, best practices, and institutional/policy recommendations identified for each Sector

Sustainability PlanSection 1: Introduction

Established a Vision Statement and Guiding principles for a Sustainable Asheville

Section 1: Introduction

Established a goal set for improving sustainability in each sector: water, transportation, solid waste, buildings, land use, and communication


Sustainability PlanGHG R d i G l

Participate in the City’s

GHG Reduction Goals

Participate in the City s energy management strategy to reduce greenhouse gas greenhouse gas emissions

Copyright 2008 Camp Dresser & McKee Inc.

Sustainability PlanTransportation Goals

Reduce vehicle miles traveled by city employees

Transportation Goals

y y p yfor commuting

Reduce total fuel ti f it consumption from city

fleet vehicles

Increase transit ridershipIncrease transit ridership

Sustainability PlanSection 2 – Sustainability Assessment: The Foundation

Established a baseline

Section 2 Sustainability Assessment: The Foundation

Established a baseline for current GHG emissions by City operations and ppredicted path of no-action vs. meeting reduction goal.

Sustainability PlanSection 2 – Sustainability Assessment: The FoundationSection 2 Sustainability Assessment: The Foundation


Existing Transportation ConditionsAi t R i l ith 0 5 M PAirport-Regional with 0.5 M Passengers

Bicycle-181 Miles, 10 Signed Routes

Greenway-3 Miles, 29 Miles PlannedGreenway 3 Miles, 29 Miles Planned

Transit/Paratransit-24 Fixed Routes, 1.5M Trips

Pedestrian-over 150 Miles of Sidewalk

Rail-Studying Passenger Rail Service


0% 3%

City of Asheville FY 2008 FleetNormal Use

10%

3%14%

0% 3%

Police Vehicles

Light Vehicles (excluding cars), < 15 000 GVW

24%< 15,000 GVWMedium Vehicles, 15,000 ‐32,000 GVWHeavy Vehicles, > 32,000 GVW

B46% Buses

ATS Fleet

All Vehicles

Vehicle Classification Total No. of Vehicles

Average Age (years)

Average mpg

Normal Use 68 6.6 17.26

Police Vehicles 158 3.8 11.49

Light Vehicles (excluding cars), < 15,000 Gross Vehicle Weight

(GVW)310 7.7 11.04

Medium Vehicles, 15,000 - 32,000 GVW 19 13.1 5.34

Heavy Vehicles, > 32,000 GVW 93 8.6 3.06

Buses 3 20.2 6.43

ATS Fleet 21 9.6 --

TOTAL 672 7.08 8.97


In 2008, the City of Asheville’s fleet and employees’ work commute and employees work commute accounted for nearly 31% of the total GHG emissions by City government activitiesg

70% of the Fleet uses Gasoline

25% of the Fleet uses Diesel


5% Remaining includes Hybrids, Electric, Kerosene, and CNG


Asheville Commuter Survey

O 80% C 25 il /dOver 80% Commute < 25 miles/day

Nearly 50% Work 9 to 5

65% use Private Vehicle and 30% 65% use Private Vehicle and 30% use City Vehicle for Commute

Less than 1% Commuters use ATF Vehicles


Transportation Demand Management

E Rid HEmergency Ride Home

Flexible Work Schedule

PassPortPassPort

Marketing and Education– Share the Ride– Free Transit Promotion


Transportation System Management

T ffi C l iTraffic Calming

Green Transit

CNG Fueling StationCNG Fueling Station

Sustainability PlanSection 3 – Opportunities: A Sustainable Future

Opportunities for Innovation, Tools & Best Practices in Transportation

Section 3 Opportunities: A Sustainable Future

& Best Practices in Transportation

– Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled

– Reducing Fuel Consumption by City Fleet

– Increase Transit Ridership

– Secure Funding Photo Credit Mark Combs


Reducing Vehicle Miles Traveled

A C i 13 il


Average Commute is 13 miles

1248 (81%) Responses Stated a Willingness to Try Alternative

If one individual chooses an alternative travel mode g y

Forms of Transportation to Work

City Provided Shuttle (26%), Vanpool (23%), Park and Ride

3 or more days per week for a year, nearly ½ a ton of GHG emissions are

saved.Vanpool (23%), Park and Ride Shuttle (18%), Bus (17%), Bike/Walk (17%)

Incentive(s) to Persuade Change of Mode of Travel:T t l N fIncentives Total No. of Employees

Access to vehicles at work 276More convenient bus service 197More convenient bus service 197

More flexible work hours 166Free taxi ride home in case of

an emergency 140

H l fi di tHelp finding someone to carpool/ vanpool with 134

Available bus, bicycle and park and ride information 90

Free bus passes provided by your employer 88

No incentive 172


Miles Reduction Policy Recommendations


Marketing Campaign

Car/Vanpool Program Enhancement

Approximately 18% of all survey responses

displayed an f i i

Expand Flex-Time Program

Parking Cash-Out Program

unawareness of existing alternative

transportation incentive programs.

Support Bike/Greenwaysp g


Reducing Fuel Consumption in City Fleet


City FleetFleet Released over 6,000 Tons of GHG in 2008

Vehicle Reduction

Purchase of Hybrid and CNG Powered Vehicles

Fleet Size, Fuel Type, and Efficiency are Critical Factors

Source: Zipcar.com


Reducing Fuel Consumption Policy Recommendations


Policy RecommendationsDownsize Fleet

Vehicle Pool

Idle Reduction Program

Virtual Meetings

Alternative Fuel UsageSource: City of Richmond, B.C.

Sustainability PlanSection 3 – Opportunities: A Sustainable FutureSection 3 Opportunities: A Sustainable Future

Increase Transit Ridership Policy RecommendationsRecommendations

Park and Ride Lots

Downtown Shuttle Services Approximately 48% of d tsurvey respondents

would be willing to try a shuttle service.

Sustainability PlanSection 3 – Opportunities: A Sustainable FutureSection 3 Opportunities: A Sustainable Future

Secure Appropriate Funding

d lFederal– FHWA– FTA

State– Highway Safety Program– Public Transportation Grantsp

Sustainability PlanSection 4 – Next Steps: Moving ForwardSection 4 Next Steps: Moving Forward

Rating and ranking scheme helps to identify short-, mid- and long-term opportunities.

Tools and templates have been developed for:

– Implementation plan for specific opportunity– Monitoring progression of multiple opportunities– Measuring performance towards goals

Communication and reporting protocols are being developed

Questions?

Lawrence J. Murphy, P.E.J p y,212.221.9462

[email protected]

Rebecca Jablon AICP LEED APRebecca Jablon, AICP, LEED AP703.485.8485

[email protected]


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