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The following news "briefs" highlight
recent news regarding transportation-related environmental
issues, primarily air quality, affecting the Baltimore region.
Please note that this brief is not all inclusive of the
variety and magnitude of activities in the region. It
is intended for informational purposes only; refer to the
source, guidance, or program for additional information. |
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 Baltimore
City Seeks Cyclists for New Parking Facility
Want secure bicycle parking? The
Parking Authority of Baltimore City (PABC) wants you to
get out of your car and onto a bike!
To help make this a reality, PABC is considering converting
2-3 spaces of the Baltimore Street Garage into secure
bicycle parking for 20-30 monthly contract holders. For $5 a
month, you can have covered, secure bicycle parking in a
manned parking garage that opens early and stays open late.
Bicycle parking is also being considered for Penn Station.
If you are interested in participating in this exciting new
program, please contact Tiffany James at Tiffany.James@baltimorecity.gov
or 443-573-2800.
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 Anne
Arundel Police Asked to Save Fuel
As fuel prices continue to increase, police officers in Anne
Arundel County will be asked to take measures to conserve.
Cutting out idling, reducing vehicle weight, reducing air
conditioning use, and increasing foot patrols are just some
of the measures they will be requested to implement.
Carpooling and rolling up windows when traveling at higher
speeds will also be requested.
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 In
Annapolis?... Borrow a Bike
Free Wheelin' Annapolis, a bike loan program that offers
free daily bike "rentals," is in full swing. Bicycles are
available at the Visitors Center Kiosk at the Annapolis City
Dock, seven days a week through August. A credit card and
license must be presented to sign out any bikes.
Read a Washington Post article about Free Wheelin' Annapolis. |
 Clean
Air Grants for Baltimore City Schools
Baltimore City Public Schools have been awarded two EPA
clean air grants, totaling more than $160,000. The money
will go towards an indoor air quality program for 190 school
buildings and diesel retrofits for 19 school buses.
According to EPA, diesel emissions and other air
pollutants are particularly dangerous for children because
they breathe in air faster and their respiratory systems are
still developing.
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U.S. DOT Wants Your Take on the Region's Planning Process
The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) wants to know
how well the Baltimore region conducts its transportation
planning process.
The effort by U.S. DOT is part of the quadrennial federal
certification process of the Baltimore region's metropolitan
planning organization (MPO).
As the local MPO, the Baltimore Regional Transportation
Board (BRTB) is responsible for several key products as part
of a continuing, comprehensive and coordinated (3-C)
process. These products include a long-range transportation
plan, a short-range program or implementation plan, an
annual work program, air quality assessments, and a
congestion management process. The BRTB undertakes this work
in coordination with state agencies and other partners. An
important part of the planning process is providing for
public participation.
If you're interested in how transportation investment
decisions are made in the Baltimore region, visit our web
site using the link below for more information or to submit
a comment. Comments may be submitted by mail, fax, e-mail,
or online using the public comment form through Wednesday,
July 9th.
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 Reports
of Interest
Post Carbon Cities: Planning for Energy and
Climate Uncertainty, A Guidebook on Peak Oil and Global
Warming for Local Governments.
Daniel Lerch, Post Carbon Institute
October 2007
Primer on Transportation and Climate Change.
American Association of State Highway and Transportation
Officials (AASHTO)
April 2008
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 Green
Showcase in Frederick
Are you a homeowner or business that would like to learn
more about saving energy and money? Attend the free SMART
Green Showcase in Frederick, Maryland on July 18.
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Environmental
News Brief