Brown Bag Series – Summer 2012
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- June 15 - Summer Brown Bag: Vermont's Infrastructure Report Card
Hosted By: Amanda Hanaway-Corrente of the Transportation Research Center
Discussion leaders: Jason Booth, Bernie Gagnon, and Jessica Louisos with the Vermont Section of the American Society of Civil Engineers
The Vermont Section of the Society of Civil Engineers has completed extensive research to determine the condition of infrastructure in Vermont including Bridges, Dams, Municipal Drinking Water, Municipal Wastewater, and Roads. In addition to a letter grade for each category, the project provides information on condition, required investments, highlights of positive programs, and suggestions for improvements. The Vermont Report Card is an extension of a National Report Card that was completed in 2009.
[ Link to More Information ]
- June 22 - Summer Brown Bag: Massachusetts Plugs In: EV Lessons from the Bay State
Hosted By: Tom McGrath of the Transportation Research Center
Discussion leader: Stephen Russell (MA Dept. of Energy Resources)
Steve Russell, coordinator of the Massachusetts Clean Cities Coalition and the Alternative Transportation Program at the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources, will join us for a Brown Bag discussion on June 22 at noon at Farrell Hall. Steve will address his ongoing EV work in Mass, including their 100 public charging stations and their new EV license plates. Please join us for this discussion as we pave the way for EV readiness in Vermont.
[ Link to More Information ] [ Link to More Information ] [ Link to Recorded Presentation ]
- June 29 - Summer Brown Bag: Total Failure: Political Decision-Making & the Gasoline Tax
Hosted By: Tom McGrath of the Transportation Research Center
Discussion leader: Richard Watts (UVM - CDAE)
Richard Watts, an Assistant Research Professor in Community Development and Applied Economics, will lead a discussion on the bitter debate around increasing gas taxes -- the new third rail of American politics -- and the failure of the federal government and most states to adequately fund transportation. The discussion will draw from recent research examining AASHTO's daily email news alerts and the policy dispute around funding and re-authorizing the T-bill.
[ Link to Recorded Presentation ]
- July 13 - Summer Brown Bag: Vermont's Future Electric Vehicle Fleet and the Grid
Hosted By: Glenn McRae of the Transportation Research Center
Discussion leader: Asa Hopkins (VT Dept. of Public Service, Director of Energy Policy and Planning)
Asa was appointed to his position a year ago to develop and implement statewide energy policy, including energy efficiency and demand resource management programs, renewable energy policy, and electric utility planning. The lunch topic will focus on those aspects of his work that inform energy and transportation policy with a special focus on grid interconnection for the anticipated demand by plug-in EVs.
[ Link to Recorded Presentation (Part 1) ] [ Link to Recorded Presentation (Part 2) ] Note: Due to network connectivity issues, there was a short break in the recording. We apologize for the inconvenience.
- July 20 - Summer Brown Bag: The Future of Regional Public Transportation
Hosted By: Tom McGrath of the Transportation Research Center
Discussion leader: Bill Watterson (CCTA)
Bill Watterson will address the recent successes and future plans of the Chittenden County Transportation Authority (CCTA). Named General Manager of CCTA in March, Watterson has worked in the field of public transportation for more than 20 years. Prior to his current position, he held the position of General Manager of Charlottesville Area Transit in Charlottesville, Virginia for eight years. He also has public transportation experience at the Summit Stage in Breckenridge, Colorado, Link Transit in Wenatchee, Washington, and Intercity Transit in Olympia, Washington. Watterson is a Certified Community Transit Manager and he has completed the Transit Management Program of Pepperdine University and the Graduate Certificate Program in Local Government Management of Virginia Tech.
[ Link to Recorded Presentation ] [ Link to CCTA Transit Development Plan Executive Summary ] - July 27 - Summer Brown Bag: Measuring Livability in Small-Urban and Rural Communities with Disaggregate Data
Hosted By: Tom McGrath of the Transportation Research Center
Discussion leader: Nathan Belz, M.S., E.I. (UVM Transportation Research Center)
New methods and data are presented to measure livability in small-urban and rural areas. These methods also demonstrate how new data, interdisciplinary models and metrics can be used to better define livability. Presented here is a case study of Chittenden County, VT - which represents a mix of urban, suburban and rural landscapes - illustrating the role that disaggregate data plays in livability performance. These data include GIS layers such as: point locations of all residential buildings and types, public infrastructure, employment locations, sidewalks, transit routes, land use and geocoded surveys. These surveys capture residents' attitudes and perceptions about their neighborhood and transportation. Using the seven capital indicators (infrastructure, human, cultural, environmental, financial, political and social) for sustainable and livable communities in conjunction with traditional livability measurement approaches, a better representation of these rural areas can be achieved.
[ Link to More Information ] [ Link to Recorded Presentation ]
- August 17 - Summer Brown Bag:Certification for Sustainable Transportation and Green Coach
Hosted By: Tom McGrath of the Transportation Research Center
Discussion leaders: Lisa Chase and David Kestenbaum (UVM - Vermont Tourism Data Center)
The Green Coach Certification Research initiative (GCC) is part of a multi-year project being developed at the University of Vermont, in close collaboration with the American Bus Association (ABA) and the United Motorcoach Association (UMA). This research focuses on a) the interplay of business and environmental concerns among motorcoach operators, tour operators, and riders and b) the development, testing, and evaluation of an 18 month pilot "Green Coach Certification" program for the motorcoach industry. The pilot GCC is based on principles of transparency and voluntary participation, and provides operators with the opportunity to be recognized for existing and emerging efforts to increase their already high level of environmental stewardship. Currently more than 20 companies from across North America have volunteered to participate in the GCC pilot program. This pilot/field test will help to answer a number of important research questions and provide the foundation for a long-term permanent environmental certification program for the motorcoach industry.
[ Link to More Information ] [ Link to Recorded Presentation ]For More Information
For more information, contact Glenn McRae or Amanda Hanaway-Corrente.
- June 15 - Summer Brown Bag: Vermont's Infrastructure Report Card