[RTC List] Comments for General Plan on info-tech

[aaron at arcatacommunity.org]

I've shared a document with you called "Comments for circulation 
element on TDM and info-tech opportunity": 
http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dgm7wkrv_97fhc9k6gt&invite=cqzwvkz It's 
not an attachment -- it's stored online at Google Docs. To open this 
document, just click the link above. --- RTC list- It was good to see 
folks turn out to support the telecom element at the last General Plan 
hearing Jan 17. I have composed comments addressed to the planning 
commission and staff suggesting that information technology-based 
programs and solutions to reduce peak-hour vehicle trips be explicitly 
considered in the General Plan. Putting this policy in place will be a 
way of making future traffic congestion and emissions challenges 
opportunities for telecom infrastructure and service development 
opportunities. Language regarding programs to reduce peak-hour vehicle 
trips is likely to be included in the General Plan, based in input from 
the Health Department, and it would be a shame if we missed this 
opportunity to improve information services in our county. I am sending 
this as a Google Document, which will allow you to correct small errors 
with the letter or add your name yourself. Any substantive change will 
have to be approved by everybody who has already signed. Please 
consider signing onto this letter. If you would like to, email me, or 
add your name directly on the Google Doc. Planning staff has assured me 
they are still taking comments on the Circulation Element. -Aaron 707.633.4464
20 January 2008
Humboldt County Planning Commission and staff:
We would like to offer comments on the Circulation Element to suggest a 
planning basis that will maximize investment in existing roadways, help 
to minimize future congestion and emissions issues, and potentially 
contribute to telecom infrastructure and services development in 
Humboldt County.
We recommend that information technology-based programs and solutions 
to reduce peak-hour vehicle trips be explicitly considered in the plan 
to provide a basis for their future consideration and implementation.  
Such information technology approaches should be considered as part of 
a suite of transportation demand management approaches against which to 
compare cost and benefit for new road construction projects.  In some 
cases, information technology-based approaches, whether pursued singly, 
or with a suite of other strategies, may provide greater benefit at 
equal or less cost.
To further explain information-technology based transportation demand 
management solutions, here are some examples from around the world:
Telework: One of the commonly-known information technology-based 
approaches is the development of telework or telecommuting programs, 
described in detail here: www.vtpi.org/tdm/tdm43.htm.  In Amsterdam, 
Cisco Systems plans to create neighborhood-located "work centers" 
and "telepresence" facilities for high-fidelity video conferencing.
Electronic transit trip planning: In Humboldt County, the launch of 
Google Transit, a transit trip itinerary planner, and improved transit 
websites, contributed to a 30% increase in Redwood Transit System 
ridership over one year.  In Seoul, South Korea, Cisco Systems is 
working on a GPS-enabled "travel companion" to help commuters use 
transit and motorists avoid congested roads.  More here: weblog.infoworld.com/sustainableit/archives/2007/12/cisco_clinton_g.html
Wireless infrastructure for mobile vehicles.  Municipal wireless 
networks can serve public and private vehicles and services to improve 
efficiency and make public transit more appealing.  For example, 
next-generation wide area wireless networking technology could 
coordinate fare systems and automatic vehicle location services for 
transit while simultaneously providing internet service to bus passengers.
Electronic ridematching.  One of the best examples is at 
www.smartcommute.ca, a service for the Greater Toronto Area for online 
ridematching service with mapping, location-aware search, and social 
networking features.

Monterey County plans to include language about "Intelligent 
Transportation Systems" (information technology applied within the 
traditional transportation network used to facilitate the movement of 
people or goods) in their General Plan Update 
(www.refinegpu.org/Circulation%20Element.pdf).  A Google Search shows 
several other counties are including Intelligent Transportation Systems 
in the General Plans.

Nelson/Nygaard Consulting Associates, a consultant retained by the 
Humboldt County Department of Health, has suggested that General Plan 
language be changed to provide decision-makers with the basis and tools 
to evaluate cost-effectiveness of roadway capacity enhancements against 
programs that reduce peak-hour vehicle trips.  If Nelson/Nygaard 
suggestions are followed, including information technology-based 
solutions in the suite of programs that reduce peak-hour vehicle trips 
may yield more effective strategies as well as create new opportunities 
for telecom infrastructure and service development and partnerships 
that will have positive economic development effects.

In 20 years, the lifespan of the General Plan. we expect to see climate 
change and traffic congestion become more pressing problems in Humboldt 
County, while information technology solutions to address these 
problems will increase in number and viability.  We have the 
opportunity to turn future traffic congestion and emissions challenges 
into telecom infrastructure and economic development opportunities in 
Humboldt County if we take the right steps beginning with the General Plan.

Here are suggestions for new language to be included in the General 
Plan's Circulation Element:

Information technology solutions or which make travel by non-single 
occupant vehicle modes more convenient, desirable, or efficient, and 
which would reduce peak-hour automobile travel demand, shall be 
considered as mobility management solutions that may, singly or with a 
suite of other solutions, substitute for projects which would increase 
roadway capacity.
Consider information technology solutions such as telework and 
teleconference programs and facilities that allow for the substitution 
of vehicle travel as mobility management solutions that may, singly or 
with a suite of other solutions, substitute for projects which would 
increase roadway capacity.

Signed,
Aaron Antrim
Principal, Transit Information Solutions

Brandon Hemenway
CEO, Algarhythms, Inc.
Chris Rall
Executive Director, Green Wheels
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