NYSDOT, NYSERDA Fund Projects to Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled and Greenhouse Gases

Mar. 13, 2009

Albany, NY — The New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) have jointly announced funding for a dozen transportation sector proposals that seek to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of petroleum fuel products. The Sustainable Transportation Systems solicitation attracted a variety of proposals that reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) and enhance the State’s economy and quality of life.

Funding for projects ranging from freight-handling in Metropolitan New York area and in the New York State Canal corridor, to several local vehicle- and ride-sharing proposals will be awarded through contracts. The proposal sites range from Riverhead in Suffolk County to Buffalo in Erie County and include major travel corridors in between.

“New York State is currently dependent on petroleum for a majority of its transportation needs. In 2007, the State’s transportation sector was responsible for 37 percent of greenhouse gas production and 71 percent of petroleum use, the single largest sector in either category,” Governor Paterson said. “As one of the key recommendations of my Renewable Energy Task Force, reducing vehicle miles traveled is paramount in order to reduce our petroleum dependency. I look forward to the implementation and successful completion of these innovative research projects.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Astrid C. Glynn said, "These progressive research initiatives are key components to reducing our carbon footprint by creating new and enhancing existing alternative methods of moving people and goods. Governor David Paterson has positioned New York State as a leader in developing environmentally smart transportation systems and we look forward to making additional contributions to the State's green agenda."

Francis J. Murray, NYSERDA President and CEO noted that this is the third joint solicitation: “The continuing cooperation between NYSDOT and NYSERDA permits us to target key audiences and transportation issues. We are following on Governor Paterson’s challenge to reduce overall vehicle miles traveled, and feel these 12 projects will help us achieve the goals of his inter-agency Renewable Energy Taskforce Report,” he said. From east to west, they include (with total project cost noted):

Town of Riverhead, Riverhead NY (Suffolk) www.riverheadli.com  ($88,000) Study the rehabilitation of the abandoned Calverton rail spur as a modern truck-rail intermodal freight terminal for Eastern Long Island. Establishing such a facility should reduce heavy-vehicle miles traveled and support economic growth.

NYU Wagner Rudin Center, New York NY (NY Metro) wagner.nyu.edu ($80,390) Study the potential for NYC Metro Urban Distribution Centers (UDCs) to streamline deliveries through splitting and recombining loads based on destination, improved communication and coordination among the carriers and distribution networks and by increasing the load factor per truck. The number of trucks entering the urban center can be considerably reduced, along with VMT.

VPSI, Inc., Troy, MI (Capital District) www.vpsiinc.com/Home/index.asp ($223,830) Study the prospects for a Capital District (4 county) vanpool service using 7-15 passenger vehicles, including coordination with large employers, the Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA), the Capital District Transportation Committee (CDTC) and the Albany Business Improvement District (BID).

SUNY Albany, Albany NY (Capital District) www.albany.edu/news/release_5976.php ($97,290) Evaluate transportation to the University and adjacent State offices, using tools like GIS to identify patterns, research alternative modes and test with GPS tracking, commuter surveys and development of new transit recommendations. SUNY Albany issues 15,000 parking permits annually, 85% of which are for solo drivers. The adjacent State Office Campus houses 7,300 workers, also with a significant proportion as solo drivers.

GoodbanBelt, LLC, Buffalo NY (NYS Canal Corridors) www.goodbanbelt.com ($86,400) Evaluate freight revitalization for the Erie Barge Canal, including use of self- or remotely guided barges. 40% of internal European trade is waterborne and several transportation and manufacturing parties have expressed interest in the analysis of New York factors and trends.

New West Technologies, Utica NY (Statewide) www.nwttech.com ($103,102) Assess the technical and economic viability of a Hybrid Truck / Trailer (HYMO) system by quantifying VMT reduction and fuel use of the HYMO system as compared to the conventional tractor-trailers that comprise a high volume of highway traffic and fuel consumption.

CuseCar, Syracuse NY (Onondaga) www.cusecar.com ($260,000) Collect data to verify potential reductions of VMT in central New York by offering an hourly rate car-share program, featuring on-demand access to vehicles. The data will also be analyzed for incorporating battery electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles into the car-share program.

C&S Engineers, Inc. , Syracuse NY (Tompkins) www.cscos.com/markets/transportation ($95,717) Study Personal Rapid Transit (PRT) including technical and operational feasibility, and combining PRT development with transit development policies and assess its viability in Ithaca and in New York’s small and mid-sized cities.

Calmar Telematics, LLC, Cato NY (Statewide) www.calmartelematics.com ($132,388) Analyze truck movement to minimize empty VMT through data collected from a previous NYSERDA contract, allowing a study showing the potential savings through double-long loads, higher automation in truck tracking and planning, reduction of VMT for trucks on the road.

Buffalo CarShare, Buffalo NY (Erie) buffalocarshare.org ($224,879) Collect data to verify expected reductions of VMT in western New York by offering a car share program, where members have on-demand access to vehicles and are charged an hourly rate. Analysis of incorporating battery electric vehicles and plug-in electric hybrid vehicles into the car share program is included.

Ecology & Environment, Buffalo NY (Statewide) www.ene.com/service/sustain/greenride.aspx ($224,481)Implement web-based GreenRide vanpooling in New York by performing studies, cooperating with businesses/groups with the goal of reducing more than 48 million miles of single-occupancy vehicle travel in NY annually. Proposer is a successful NY-based carpooling company with hundreds of cooperating organizations and years of experience.

SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo NY (Erie) www.buffalo.edu ($109,417) Survey recently developed EPA models for smart land-use principles, including mixed-land use, compact building designs, multiple transportation methods, and preservation of open space and community identity. The researcher will use a newly developed tool on existing cases to prove VMT reduction and then develop a prototype land use plan to help with future development.

The research gained through this effort will complement Gov. David Paterson’s Renewable Energy Taskforce recommendations to promote the efficient use of petroleum in the transportation sector. Specifically, that report calls for a 10 percent reduction in VMT from projected levels in 10 years. An interagency team, including NYSERDA, NYSDOT, and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation is considering technologies and strategies to be demonstrated through the contractors participating in this joint funding program.

New York State’s transportation sector produces fewer tons of greenhouse gases per capita than any other state. This is a result of our downstate population density and wide use of the metropolitan area’s extensive public transit system. Also in place downstate is an active Transportation Demand Management (TDM) effort, aimed at reducing single-occupancy auto trips. Upstate, New York State supports urban and rural regional transit systems and numerous suburban park and ride lots.

Attached table shows project funding breakdowns

NYSDOT NYSERDA Program Opportunity Notice 1239 “Sustainable Transportation Systems” Results

Project Title	Proposer	Area of Impact	Project Cost	NYS Funding	Cost Share
Calverton Rail Access Rehabilitation Study	Town of Riverhead, Riverhead NY www.riverheadli.com	Suffolk	$88,000	$75,000	$13,000
Study of Urban Distribution Centers	NYU Wagner Rudin Center, New York NY wagner.nyu.edu/rudincenter	NY Metro	$80,390	$75,000	$5,390
Capital District VanPool Demonstration	VPSI, Inc., Troy, MI www.vpsiinc.com/Home/index.asp	Capital District	$223,830	$150,000	$73,830
Understanding Commuter Patterns & Behavior	SUNY Albany, Albany NY www.albany.edu	Capital District	$97,290	$74,447	$22,843
Freight Study on the NYS Canal System	Goodban Belt, LLC, Buffalo NY www.goodbanbelt.com	NYS Canal Corridors	$86,400	$49,480	$36,920
Novel Hybrid Trailer Development	New West Technologies, Utica NY www.nwttech.com	Statewide	$103,102	$74,719	$28,383
Syracuse CarShare Demonstration	CuseCar, Syracuse NY www.cusecar.com	Onondaga	$260,000	$150,000	$110,000
Personal Rapid Transit in Ithaca	C&S Engineers, Inc., Syracuse NY www.cscos.com/markets/transportation	Tompkins	$95,717	$75,000	$20,717
Commercial Empty Backhaul Study	Calmar Telematics, LLC, Cato NY www.calmartelematics.com	Statewide	$132,388	$72,308	$60,080
Buffalo CarShare Demonstration	Buffalo CarShare, Buffalo NY buffalocarshare.org	Erie	$224,879	$149,000	$75,879
GreenRide VanPool Demonstration	Ecology & Environment, Buffalo NY www.ene.com/service/sustain/greenride.aspx	Statewide	$224,481	$150,000	$74,481
Smart Land Use Design Study	SUNY Buffalo, Buffalo NY www.buffalo.edu	Erie	$109,417	$75,000	$34,417
Solicitation Totals			$1,725,894	$1,169,954	$555,940

CONTACT:

Carol Breen (cbreen@dot.state.ny.us)
Phone: 518-457-6400
www.nysdot.gov

Ray Hull (rwh@nyserda.ny.gov )
Phone: 866-NYSERDA ext. 3356
NYSERDA.ny.gov