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http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/here-come-the-hybrids-ca

Near the end of today’s Chatham Urban Transit Study Policy Committee meeting, Chatham Area Transit Interim Executive Director Joe Murray Rivers announced he had something to show the group. Near the corner of State and Drayton streets waited a Gillig Hyrbrid low floor transit bus. Rivers said CAT has ordered 11 hybrid buses, which will be carrying passengers in Savannah in 12-18 months. Eric Curl wrote about the buses in the Savannah Morning News earlier this year.

According to promotional literature, the buses are powered by “GM Allison Hybrid Ep Systems” that deliver improved fuel economy:

“The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) conducted chassis dynamometer tests using two 60′ buses — one with the GM Allison Hybrid Ep System and one with a conventional powertrain. The testing showed a 75 percent improvement in fuel economy during a stop-and-go Manhattan duty cycle. Actual in-service fuel economy improvements range from 20-54 percent compared to conventional buses.”

The literature also suggests the buses produce fewer emissions:

“…overall emissions are significantly reduced during operation compared to conventional combustion engines. Oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emissions are reduced up to 50 percent even with the latest 2.5 gram/hp-hr engines. The system also provides significant emission reduction when compared to alternative propulsion systems.”

Still not impressed? Maybe this will be music to your ears:

“The GM Allison Hybrid Ep System helps reduce noise pollution compared to conventional buses. At 79 db @ 10 meters, buses equipped with the system approach the sound level of passenger cars.”

Still, buses of any kind can be a tough sell locally. There remains, in some quarters, the idea that transit funding is an unnecessary and wasteful subsidy. This viewpoint, of course, conveniently ignores the much, much larger government subsidy devoted to private automobiles.

In his announcement about the bus preview, Rivers took the opportunity to point out that CAT ridership is up 10 percent compared with the same period last year. Chatham County Commission Chariman Pete Liakakis followed this up with a suggestion that the bad press CAT has received lately does not tell the entire story. CAT is on the way up, he said.

Savannahians will be able to take a ride on the bus on Oct. 23 and 24, according to a CAT press release.

On Thursday, the pilot hybrid bus will be on the 14 Abercorn route leaving Broughton at Montgomery at 10 a.m. heading outbound to the malls. This bus will then depart at 11 a.m. from Savannah Mall and return downtown at noon.  The bus will then run the 3A Augusta Avenue route leaving Broughton at Montgomery at 12:30 p.m. and travel its regular route to Highway 21 and  Brampton. It will leave there at 1 p.m. and return downtown at 1:30 p.m. On Friday, the bus will travel on the 27 Waters route to Oglethorpe Mall leaving Broughton at Montgomery at 9 a.m., arriving at the mall at 9:45 a.m. It will then leave Oglethorpe Mall at 9:55 a.m. and return downtown at 10:40 a.m.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/with-dark-clouds-gatheri

Yesterday I heard a local elected official describe bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and transit improvements as “fluff” that would be impossible to fund in an increasingly difficult economic environment. He suggested it would be a struggle just to keep the grass mowed in the medians. That was important, he said, because motorists need clear lines of sight. Otherwise they might crash into each other.

In tough times, he seemed to be saying, we must concentrate on the important things. Like cars. Public transit and infrastructure for non-motorized vehicles? Not so much.

Yet there are those who say funding projects that get people out of their cars and into more sustainable modes of transportation is exactly what we should be doing when the financial chips are down. Transportation for America’s “Build for America” campaign suggests a five pronged approach to moving people and improving the economy:

• Build rail and transit networks that are competitive with those in China and Europe, reducing oil dependence and connecting metro regions.


• Invest in “the cleanest forms of transportation — modern public transit, walking and biking.”


• Adopt a “fix-it-first” policy to repair crumbling roads and bridges rather than building new ones.


• Stop wasteful spending and re-evaluate projects that have already been approved.


• Save Americans money” by providing them with cost-efficient, sustainable transportation options where they live and work.

Viewed through this lens, transit, pedestrian and bicycle improvements should be moving to the top of the priority list, not the bottom.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/uncategorized/county-commission-candida

In anticipation of the upcoming Chatham County Commission election, the Georgia Conservancy and Savannah Bicycle Campaign will host a candidate forum on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 in at 7:30 p.m. at the Coastal Georgia Center on Fahm Street.

Candidates will answer questions about their positions on a variety of issues related to land use, transportation, land conservation and growth. The questions have been pre-written and will not be made available to candidates prior to arrival. However, links to information and educational materials on all the issues covered by the questions have been sent to the candidates in advance of the evening’s forum. Additionally, any time remaining at the end of the scripted questioning will be made available for questions from the audience.

Panelists include Jim Morekis, Editor-in-Chief of Connect Savannah, Dionne Hoskins, Chair of the Chatham County Resource Protection Commission and Associate Graduate Professor at Savannah State University, and Orlando Montoya, Savannah-based news producer with Georgia Public Broadcasting.

All candidates are invited and will have reserved seating on stage, including those in uncontested races.  Patty McIntosh of the Georgia Conservancy stated, “We recognize the evening’s dialogue as vital to the democratic process and to countywide constituents, and hope that all candidates will choose to participate in this important event regardless of whether their seats are being challenged.”

Districts 1, 4, 6 and Commission Chair face contested races. All opposing candidates will participate in the forum.  This event is free and open to the public. For more information, contact Summer Teal Simpson at (912) 447-5910.

The Georgia Conservancy is a statewide, non-profit organization that develops solutions to protect Georgia’s environment through collaboration, education and advocacy. Since establishing a coastal office in Savannah in 1972, the Georgia Conservancy has been engaged in water, land and growth management issues locally and throughout the coastal region.

The Savannah Bicycle Campaign aims to promote bicycling in the community and to create, strengthen and unite local bicycle groups, riders, and enthusiasts to improve conditions for cyclists in Savannah.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/planning/tybee-island-city-council-stri

At a time when we are witnessing what happens when greed and short-sightedness mix with lack of regulation and oversight, the Tybee Island City Council voted (again, last night) 4-2 to repeal the city’s shoreline protection ordinance.  Since its passage in 1999, the city’s ordinance has provided a level of protection (from the negative impacts of ever encroaching real estate development) above and beyond what the state requires.  The repeal not only strips away this additional layer of protection, but also hands jurisdiction back to the state.

The four council members above voted for the repeal.

I have four questions for them . . .

1) Why would you vote against additional protection for the city’s most valuable economic and environmental resource?

2) Why would you cede local control to a state agency (GA DNR)? -especially one well-known to be underfunded and understaffed!

3) Isn’t this vote at odds with the $11 million beach renourishment program getting underway this week?

4) What do ya’ll have against North Beach anyway?* -there’s barely a beach left there to protect!

*Tybee’s city charter still protects the dunes and  seawall that run  from the curve on Campbell to South Beach (but don’t hold your breath, this council is on a roll).

Read more about it here, here and here

And remember, you don’t have to be a Tybee voter to write these folks and urge them to change their minds . . .

Wanda Doyle tybeewanda@bellsouth.net

Barry Brown babhbinc@bellsouth.net

Eddie Crone mecrone@bellsouth.net

Charlie R. Brewer charlierbrewer@bellsouth.net

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/curious-about-bicycle-co

Bicycle commuting offers many benefits and not the least of them is a closer connection with changing seasons, a relationship with the world that is available these days mostly to farmers and others who spend the majority of their time outside. Except in the case of the bicycle commuter, he or she is able to experience these changes not over the course of entire days, but within the context of twice a day sampling of weather conditions. As a result, I can tell you exactly what it feels like to be on a bike in Savannah at 8:05 a.m. on Aug. 3 (sort of sticky), Feb. 3 (kind of chilly) and Oct. 3 (absolutely wonderful).

Tomorrow will be a great day to Dump the Pump and there’s never been a better time to start moving toward a daily transportation option that does not require regular visits to a gas station. Those who are a little worried about getting to work under pedal power need not fear. With a little practice and preparation, bicycle commuting can be pleasant and predictable. Again, tomorrow presents a great opportunity to give it a try, with experienced commuters riding along.

In recent days there’s been a lot of talk about personal responsibility on Wall Street and Main Street. Dump the Pump provides an excellent opportunity for Savannahians to demonstrate their personal responsibility on Habersham Street and Bull Street. Pedal, Baby, Pedal! is a much more practical and sustainable approach than “Drill, Baby, Drill!” or “Build, Baby, Build!“

Wish I had more time to comment, but for now all I can say is this is interesting.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/recent-news-of-note/

Trip highlights river ecology, history

“When you think of the Savannah River you think of the ports and the issue of harbor deepening and you’ve heard about (nuclear power) Plant Vogtle,” Neal said. “You think it’s going to be an industrial corridor, but really it’s an isolated wild river. That’s what makes those issues vital. It’s a great viable wild river right at our back door.”

Read more of Mary Landers’ story in the Savannah Morning News here.

Bill Dawers: Whitaker Street, growth, city’s future shape

“… despite several years of ambitious private investment, Whitaker is in bad shape. In part, this is because of its role as a high-speed, two-lane, one-way street with no parking buffer. Longtime readers know my solution to the problem: Make Whitaker a two-way street. But there are a number of other ways to calm traffic and improve quality of life. Lanes could be narrowed, sidewalks could be widened and made accessible, crosswalks could be added, and appropriate landscaping and lighting could be installed.”

Read more of Bill Dawers’ story in the Savannah Morning News here.

Don’t pitch those incandescent bulbs yet

“People seem ready to jump on the green bandwagon, but some may be a little too eager. Maybe before we all run out and buy new Energy Star Appliances, organic cotton sheets and compact fluorescent bulbs we should stop and think about the consequences for a second. Don’t get me wrong, I will always be the first to say that we must reduce our energy consumption, our dependency on oil or improve the quality of our living and working conditions. However, let’s make sure that is what we are doing.”

Read more of Jason House’s story in Connect Savannah here.

Organic guru extols virtues of sustainable gardening

“His Farmer D Organics brand, based in Savannah, is on the lips and in the gardens of the elite. Billionaire entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson wants him to develop an organic farm at his exclusive New Jersey spa. Actress Jennifer Garner thinks his turnips ‘rock.’ Rolling Stones’ keyboardist Chuck Leavell and Atlanta adman Joel Babbit just signed him to a deal on their environmental Web site, Mother Nature Network.”

Read more of Katie Leslie’s story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution here.

Image source: Shorpy, the 100-year-old photo blog.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/energy/atlanta-is-not-that-far-away/

From my position next to the ice machine, I watched cars pull into the convenience store parking lot, cruise slowly past the pumps and then merge back onto North Druid Hills Road. The motorists didn’t stop because the Shell station didn’t have what they needed on Thursday night: gasoline. All over Atlanta, anxious drivers gambled, hoping the gas in their tanks would be enough to fuel their search for more fuel and keep their motors running while they waited for a turn at the pump.

Friday morning at a gas station on Buford Highway, I saw a man fill a dozen or so canisters and load them into the bed of a pick-up truck. Later that afternoon, traffic was snarled on Spring Street. The BP station across the street from the Varsity had gasoline and cars were stacked up to get it. A police officer was on the scene to keep order.

Local news coverage of the gasoline shortage included predictable comments from understandably frustrated motorists. They said the situation was “ridiculous,” “outrageous” and “crazy.” Their feelings of helplessness were summed up in one woman’s frank declaration. “There’s nothing we can do,” she said. “We have to drive.”

I agree with all of these comments, though for a different reason. It is ridiculous, crazy and outrageous for us to expect gasoline to remain cheap and plentiful, even after we’ve been presented with clear evidence that it is neither. As we move further down the Peak Oil timeline, wild swings in price and availability will likely become the norm. It’s easy to understand: As oil becomes more scarce, the disruptive effects of political turmoil, weather and even rumor are amplified.

But, do we really have to drive? For a lot of folks, that’s clearly the case. In many communities, compulsory car use is required. Driving is the only way residents can get in or out of their neighborhoods. We should use Atlanta’s current predicament as a warning. We must modify our behavior, our expectations and our built environment now to contend with the realities we will face in the coming years.

Yet I’m afraid we may be too shortsighted to recognize how Atlanta-style problems could easily be visited upon us. The guys standing in front of a Savannah convenience store yesterday evening seemed unconcerned. Talking and laughing, they paused occasionally to take sips from their soft drinks then placed the cups back on the hood of truck, which stood at the curb with its motor running.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/red-white-and-blue-and-g

This post on Boing Boing led me to a wonderful gallery of high resolution images on the American Legion Web site. In the gallery are hundreds of posters used during World War II to encourage civilians to change their daily routines to aid in the war effort. The individual, who originally posted the link, suggested the posters are, “relevant to a peak oil, global heating world…” I agree. And ours is a country again at war, despite the fact that no similar sacrifices have been demanded of most of us, nor have we been asked to cooperate or conserve.

Folks who attempt to conserve resources or who endeavor to be more self-sufficient are often dismissed as childish, naive or even un-American. These posters remind us that many of the practices we would now describe as green were one called patriotic. Meanwhile, wastefulness and unbridled consumption, once tantamount to aiding the enemy, have now been elevated to national virtues.

http://sustainablesavannah.com/transportation/three-things/

1. Was great to see everyone out at GreenFest this weekend. Thanks to all you hard working organizers and participants for dedicating your time to create a fun, tasty and informative community event.

2. Recycling (tires, electronics, etc.) this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Check the City of Savannah website for all the details.

3. Riding home from work today, I decided that 4+ weeks is long enough for Habersham @ Victory Drive to be all tore up. Tomorrow morning I’m calling the City, not to complain, but to gently encourage them to please fix this intersection traveled by so many of Savannah’s bicycle riding public. If you care to join me, here are some phone numbers:

City Manager: 651-6415

Streets Maintenance: 651-6571

Traffic Engineering: 651-6600

Sean Brandon? Anyone, Anyone?

Okay, maybe it’s not quite this bad, but it’s starting to feel like it AND I’ve already got one flat . . . Help!!