Vice President, Communications and Marketing at American Public Transportation Association
"These are ambitious goals that are achievable through a strategy that invests in enhanced public transit services and greater transit service frequency along with a housing strategy that ensures that transit connections are a part of planning for walkable and bikeable neighborhoods." https://lnkd.in/ehpCuWKS
Why do we allow Parks Canada to drag its feet for 3 more years? Albertans know that regional passenger rail within the Bow Valley corridor is crucial to decrease the environmental degradation in Banff caused by a traffic jam of Los Angeles proportions... Study after study has addressed the concerns of the residents of the Bow Valley. An integrated approach backed by net-zero passenger rail is a no-brainer. A solution can break ground in 2025. Why is Parks Canada getting in the way of the Canada Infrastructure Bank/ Banque de l'infrastructure du Canada ?? It's time to stop talking, and take immediate action ... Travel Alberta Alberta Technology and Innovation Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity Banff & Lake Louise Tourism Town of Canmore
Diverse and Inclusive Leader | Leads Change | Anchored In Reality | Trying to Make Common Sense Common - 35 Years retired - on a break - Open to options.
It’s baffling to my transit advocacy friends and I that Todd Litman, president of Better Island Transit, continues to push buses as the only viable alternative for non-drivers to travel on the Vancouver Island when we have an under-used publicly owned 289 km rail corridor that connects every major city and town from Victoria to Courtenay and Port Alberni right under our noses. The island rail corridor is the key that unlocks Better Island Transit for everyone because it already has its own dedicated right of way separated from highways. Buses sit in congestion just like cars and trucks unless expensive dedicated lanes are built taking road space, or future road space, from drivers. Not only would the railway move people that shouldn’t, can’t, or don’t want to drive, but it would also generate revenue by moving freight as well! Everyone on a train is completely off the highway, it’s really a no brainer. Just like publicly owned highways and roads, publicly owned railways provide infrastructure for private and public operators to operate on. Even now Southern Rail of Vancouver Island moves freight in Nanaimo and Alberni Pacific Railway operates their tourist train in Port Alberni on the line. A South Island Transportation study suggests that Mill Bay to Victoria by highway will be a 2 ½ hour commute by 2038 and it’s already awful during the morning and evening commute. We all agree with Todd’s assertion that the British Columbia government grossly under-invests in infrastructure for the non-driver, but he puts his blinders on and sticks his fingers in his ears when the railway is brought up as an alternative. Trying to hammer buses through congestion by adding more buses to the congestion makes no sense! Using a completely separate rail corridor makes all the sense in the world. https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr TC Article: https://lnkd.in/gshDSsd4 All Aboard! Restore Island Rail https://lnkd.in/gy9WBzcw #railway #transit #support #reconcilation #cycling #vancouverisland #britishcolumbia #canada #connection #transportation #support #healthy #communities #climateaction #climateemergency #health #travel #community #culture
According to University of Utah & Massachusetts Institute of Technology research, not only does transit reduce total miles travelled, but (more importantly?) good transit has a ripple effect on land use and travel behavior. "For every mile not driven by transit riders, transit accounts for another six to nine miles not driven among the larger population." There are powerful ripple effects. Investments in good transit result in positive land use changes, which enables more ridership and investment in transit. People choose transit when it is convenient, frequent, comfortable. Thanks for coming to my TED Talk. Chris McCahill State Smart Transportation Initiative American Planning Association APA Transportation Planning Division National League of Cities Urban Land Institute League of Wisconsin Municipalities NACTO (National Association of City Transportation Officials) Project Drawdown https://lnkd.in/dhDRskg7
As we look to enhance our beautiful state, the expansion of trails in Florida presents a remarkable opportunity for both natural conservation and our economy! ✨ Why More Trails Matter: Environmental Conservation: Expanding trails encourages responsible outdoor recreation, promoting awareness and appreciation for our natural ecosystems. More trails mean better access to Florida’s stunning landscapes, which can inspire more people to engage in conservation efforts. Boosting Local Economies: Trails attract visitors, which benefits local businesses—from restaurants and bars to gear shops. Increased foot and bike traffic translates to more revenue and job creation in our increasingly interconnected communities. Health & Wellbeing: Trails provide a space for outdoor activities, encouraging healthier lifestyles. This not only benefits individuals but can also reduce healthcare costs in the long run. Community Connection: Trails bring people together, fostering a sense of community and encouraging social interaction. They create shared spaces where memories can be made. By investing in more trails, we’re not just enhancing our recreational opportunities; we’re also nurturing our environment and boosting our economy. Let’s continue to advocate for this positive change! #TrailsForFlorida #NatureAndEconomy #SustainableGrowth #CommunityWellbeing
TPL in Southwest Florida is currently working on an exciting new rail trail called the Bonita Estero Rail Trail. Bonita Springs Councilmember Chris Corrie expressed support for the trail in this recent op-ed. Support like this from community leaders go a long way toward making this trail a reality. The Bonita Estero Rail Trail is a key segment in TPL’s efforts to complete the regional Florida Gulf Coast Trail. #floridagulfcoasttrail #fgct https://lnkd.in/eryTADQ4
Climate Foresight Strategist: Climate Risk Reduction, Net-Zero Transition, Housing Policy
This doesn't make sense to me from a simple self interest of all residents perspective. #QOL #RealEstateValue Property values in urban context are uplifted by intermodal transit alternatives, including bike lanes and wider sidewalks. That's why real estate professionals use WalkScore.ca and it serves up a bike and transit score too. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gwbWwZfJ and WalkScore.ca A provincial government that unilaterally devalues urban property is a problem. The expense of making the changes then rests on the tax base that is forced to undertake the unwanted change. In 2009 I ran for provincial office in a by-election. Speaking with elders in my community in Toronto revealed frequently reflected concern over safety on sidewalks with cyclists choosing the safety of the pedestrian zone. This concern is addressed by bike lanes. In an aging society where more mobility constrained and vulnerable people are using the sidewalk I can't understand the motive to revert to 1960's planning approaches. https://lnkd.in/gWmTZfbR The Ontario government is taking planning cues from the distant past. We are all going to pay for it. The 413 is equally misguided, but less clearly against the financial interests of homeowners in Ontario Cities. Bike lanes in City of Toronto, City of Ottawa / Ville d’Ottawa, City of Kingston, Corporation of the Town of Collingwood, City of Thunder Bay, City Of Guelph, City Of Hamilton and other municipalities across the region improve traffic flow, allow intermodal transit systems to operate well, and offer amenity benefit to residents. This all impacts quality of life of people and property values. #PropertyValue #bikeLanes #hedonicRegressionAnalysis #
Diverse and Inclusive Leader | Leads Change | Anchored In Reality | Trying to Make Common Sense Common - 35 Years retired - on a break - Open to options.
Open up your passages and be clear of traffic with Prescription Strength RESTORE ISLAND RAIL, a highly effective, Vancouver Island made and owned, Highway Decongestant. Restore Island Rail is the best way to deal with the growing population, travel congestion, and transit-oriented affordable housing development on the island by opening up the unused rail corridor to travel on! This newly envisioned product isn’t just local to Vancouver Island, it’s also connected to four other National Rail brands that have been delivering results all across North America and every country around the globe. The price will never be as low as it is today! Available for a limited time only. May cause feelings of relaxation, comfort, independence, and confidence in decision makers. Side effects may include meeting climate and social equity targets, connection to community, picturesque views, enabling cycling and additional trail construction, transportation network redundancy, and emergency preparedness. Get yours today by contacting Political Party Leaders, MLA’s, MP’s, and Local Government officials for a prescription before time runs out! Start by emailing “Restore Vancouver Island Rail” to… 👉 The Premier of British Columbia, David Eby: David.Eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca 👉 Leader of the Conservative Party, John Rustad: john.rustad.MLA@leg.bc.ca 👉 Leader of the Green Party, Sonia Furstenau: sonia.furstenau.MLA@leg.bc.ca Access more listings at https://lnkd.in/gppuJxZX Over 22,488 people have prescribed to Restore Island Rail through the petition site, sign up to receive updates and support the mission to decongest Vancouver Island! https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr All Aboard! https://lnkd.in/gy9WBzcw #reconcilation #railway #transit #support #cycling #route #malahat #vancouverisland #britishcolumbia #canada #connection #transportation #disabled #multimodal #cyclists #alternate #railways #support #healthy #communities #climateaction #climate #emergency #health #travel #community #culture
Surprising to see such a significant gap in the Principal Public Transport Network (PPTN)* map, especially in Melbourne's western suburbs, one of the fastest-growing areas in the city. Despite the population boom, there's a clear lack of access to quality public transport, forcing residents to rely on driving and exacerbating traffic congestion. Retrofitting development areas with public transport is not a sustainable solution, as travel habits are typically established from day one. Public transport should be available from the start. It's time to prioritize accessibility and sustainable travel options from the beginning. *Clause 52.06 of the Victoria Planning Provisions allow reductions in car parking requirements for land within 400m of the PPTN. Currently, there’s no mechanism to reduce car parking requirements for new developments, leading to an oversupply of parking and reinforcing vehicle dependency. In the midst of a housing crisis, is it really wise to allocate valuable land for car parking – an inefficient land use? Probably not...
Diverse and Inclusive Leader | Leads Change | Anchored In Reality | Trying to Make Common Sense Common - 35 Years retired - on a break - Open to options.
Vancouver Island has been subject to highway closures on the single set of highways (shown in black) that interconnect communities from North to South and West to East. The patchwork of transportation planning throughout the 7 regional districts and 13 municipalities on the island, and continued reliance on private high-cost bus services as an alternative to auto-mode use, has repeatedly failed island residents. BC Transit provides meager and unreliable service between cities, and nothing North of Parksville or to Port Alberni, leaving residents with little confidence in using alternatives. This lack of reliable transit pushes them to the only reliable option remaining, owning and operating their own personal road-based vehicles. That reliance on auto-modes of transit is choking up our highways during morning and evening commutes. With a population expanding faster than other areas of Canada, expected to reach 1 million by 2030, and with over 5 million overnight visitors during tourist season contributing to congestion, Vancouver Island needs to think about alternatives and regulatory changes to ensure we have the capacity, redundancy, affordability, and resiliency to support our population and growing economy estimated at over $37 billion in 2024. A mostly unused railway exists that links every major city and town between Courtenay and Port Alberni through Parksville, Nanaimo, Duncan, and Langford, to Victoria that could provide a road separated right-of-way to establish a desirable and highly reliable way to create an integrated multimodal network of transit on Vancouver Island that includes Trains, buses, and trails with additional economic benefits of moving freight by rail. Tell your leaders https://lnkd.in/gppuJxZX Sign the petition with over 11,500 signatures that agree https://chng.it/HTPJ25CqPr #reconcilation #railway #transit #support #cycling #route #malahat #vancouverisland #britishcolumbia #canada #connection #transportation #disabled #multimodal #cyclists #alternate #railways #support #healthy #communities #climateaction #climate #emergency #health #travel #community #culture
As we look to enhance our beautiful state, the expansion of trails in Florida presents a remarkable opportunity for both natural conservation and our economy! ✨ Why More Trails Matter: Environmental Conservation: Expanding trails encourages responsible outdoor recreation, promoting awareness and appreciation for our natural ecosystems. More trails mean better access to Florida’s stunning landscapes, which can inspire more people to engage in conservation efforts. Boosting Local Economies: Trails attract visitors, which benefits local businesses—from restaurants and bars to gear shops. Increased foot and bike traffic translates to more revenue and job creation in our increasingly interconnected communities. Health & Wellbeing: Trails provide a space for outdoor activities, encouraging healthier lifestyles. This not only benefits individuals but can also reduce healthcare costs in the long run. Community Connection: Trails bring people together, fostering a sense of community and encouraging social interaction. They create shared spaces where memories can be made. By investing in more trails, we’re not just enhancing our recreational opportunities; we’re also nurturing our environment and boosting our economy. Let’s continue to advocate for this positive change! #TrailsForFlorida #NatureAndEconomy #SustainableGrowth #CommunityWellbeing
TPL in Southwest Florida is currently working on an exciting new rail trail called the Bonita Estero Rail Trail. Bonita Springs Councilmember Chris Corrie expressed support for the trail in this recent op-ed. Support like this from community leaders go a long way toward making this trail a reality. The Bonita Estero Rail Trail is a key segment in TPL’s efforts to complete the regional Florida Gulf Coast Trail. #floridagulfcoasttrail #fgct https://lnkd.in/eryTADQ4
Last night the North Miami City Council voted to advance the 2045 Mobility Action Plan & Mobility Fee to 2nd reading. The Action Plan emphasizes first & last mile multimodal connectivity to future planned rail stations at NE 125 & NE 151st. The Mobility Action plan includes Pedestrian Priority Streets, Curbless Shared Streets, Green Streets, Multimodal Corridors, Traffic Calming & Water Taxi routes. The Mobility Fee features a single rate per square ft for residential uses, regadless of type of use. This helps to keep smaller unit affordable versus a flat rate per dwelling and also prepares the City for increasing teardowns of older homes and construction of larger single family homes. The Mobility Fee also addresses the impact of high trip generating land uses and the components of these uses that have the most impact of the City’s transportation system. The final adoption hearing is scheduled in November. Stay tuned. NUE Urban Concepts, LLC #mobility #multimodal #mobilityplan #mobilityfee #transportation #rail #slowdown #trafficcalming #innovation #connectivity #firstlastmile
