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Projects Updates for theme: Transportation

  1. SmartWay E-update

    Associated Project(s): 
    EPA SmartWay Affiliate

     

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    SmartWay e-update

     

    December 2022 SmartWay e-update

     

    Happy Holidays! 

     

    As 2022 comes to a close, EPA SmartWay extends holiday greetings to all our partners. Whether your company participates in SmartWay as a shipper, carrier, or logistics partner, we know that you and your colleagues are busy delivering food for holiday dinners, toys for small children, lights to brighten dark days and much, much more! During this special season, people from all walks of life, representing cultures from all over the world celebrate light, life and new beginnings. The past couple of years have been full of challenge and change and as we look ahead, SmartWay will continue to support the efforts of its partners to make the world a better place. Your commitment and the goals you’ve set to improve the efficiency of how goods are moved are critical to keeping communities healthy, safe and strong. Best wishes for a happy holiday season and a joyous New Year! Thank you for all you do. We look forward to our work together in 2023 and beyond.

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    News for EPA SmartWay Partners and Stakeholders

     

    EPA Seeks Public Input on $1 Billion Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle, $3 Billion Clean Ports and other Inflation Reduction Act Programs

    EPA is seeking public input on new and existing programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), including a new $1 billion Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle program and $3 billion Clean Ports program. Under the Clean Heavy-Duty Vehicle EPA will be offering grants and/or rebates to replace heavy-duty vehicles with zero-emission vehicles, support zero-emission vehicle infrastructure, and to train and develop workers. Under the Clean Ports program EPA will offer grants for the purchase and installation of zero emission technologies to reduce pollution at ports, and to develop qualified climate action plans.

     

    EPA has published a Request for Information (RFI) seeking public input on core design aspects for these and other programs supported by IRA. The RFI provides background information on each IRA program and a series of questions for the public to consider as they provide input. The RFIs are open for public comment through January 18, 2023. Public input and information will be used to inform the development of the programs in addition to other stakeholder engagement activities that EPA will be conducting consistent with its Grant Competition policy. For more information and to provide input on the Clean Heavy-Duty, Clean Ports and other IRA programs, visit www.epa.gov.

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    EPA Publishes Final Rule to Control Air Pollution from Heavy-Duty Trucks 

     

    On December 20, EPA issued a final rule "Control of Air Pollution from New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards," that adopts new, stronger emissions standards to reduce nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions from heavy-duty vehicles and engines starting in model year 2027. The new emissions standards cover a wider range of heavy-duty engine operating conditions compared to today's standards, and the rule requires these more stringent emissions standards to be met for a longer period of time when these engines operate on the road. The new rule and tighter standards will result in widespread air quality improvements across the U.S., especially in areas already overburdened by air pollution and emissions.

     

    The final rule is one of three major actions being taken under EPA's "Clean Trucks Plan." Under this plan, the Agency intends to propose two additional rulemakings in 2023 which, when considered cumulatively with this final rule, would put in place more protective long-term standards that would reduce smog, soot, and climate pollution from heavy-duty vehicles and would include consideration of greater adoption of zero-emissions vehicle technologies. For more information on EPA's Clean Trucks Plan, and the new rule to limit NOx emissions from heavy-duty commercial vehicles, visit www.epa.gov.

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    Upcoming Virtual Meetings and Conferences 

     

    National Academy 

    of Sciences Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 

    January 8-12, 2023

    Washington, DC

     

    The Transportation Research Board is holding its 102nd Annual Meeting January 8-12, 2023 in Washington, DC. TRB's Annual Meeting is expected to attract thousands of transportation professionals from around the world. The meeting program covers all transportation modes, with sessions and workshops addressing topics of interest to policy makers, administrators, practitioners, researchers, and representatives of government, industry and academia. The spotlight theme for the meeting is Rejuvenation Out of Disruption: Envisioning a Transportation System for a Dynamic Future. For more information on the program and to register visit trb.org. 

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    SMC3

    JumpStart 

    January 23-25, 2023 

    Atlanta, GA 

     

    A three-day annual supply chain event produced annually by SMC3, JumpStart brings together leading carriers, shippers, logistics service providers and technology providers to exchange ideas, information and perspectives. The meeting focuses on key topics and emerging trends in technology, infrastructure, and operations. This year, SmartWay will present on recent enhancements to the partnership, the value of collaboration and its less than truckload carbon calculator. The program agenda, speakers and more information is available at smc3jumpstart.com. 

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    Retail Industry Leaders Association LINK 2023

    The Retail Supply Chain Conference 

    February 19-22, 2023

    Orlando, FL 

     

    The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA), a SmartWay Affiliate, is hosting LINK2023, the association's annual supply chain conference, February 19-22, in Orlando, FL. The focus of this year's conference is on the economic and logistical headwinds that retailers are experiencing as they adjust to the pandemic and envision the future of their supply chains. Sessions cover technology developments and applications that can help improve demand planning, forecasting, and case studies on how to effectively manage disruption. Other topics include strategies for strengthening consumer experience, freight delivery, infrastructure, emissions accounting and sustainability. More than 300 exhibiting companies and nearly 2000 attendees are expected to participate in LINK2023. SmartWay and its partners will be on deck to share experiences and to highlight the value of collaboration across the supply chain. For more information, visit LINK2023. 

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    Advanced Clean Transportation (ACT) EXPO 2023

    May 1-4, 2023 

    Anaheim, CA 

     

    ACT EXPO is a 4-day fleet focused conference that will explore the trends, infrastructure and technologies transforming clean commercial transportation. The 2023 program will spotlight low- and zero-emission fleet case studies, financial incentives to improve the total cost of ownership for advanced clean vehicles, climate and environmental policies, and the accelerated development of zero emission infrastructure, as well as technology advancements with battery technology, charging infrastructure, biofuels, hydrogen, autonomous vehicles and more. On the exhibit floor attendees can gain access to 185+ commercial vehicles, including battery electric, hydrogen fuel cell, renewable fuels and connected tech. More than 275+ suppliers of equipment for all vehicle weight classes and fleet applications will also be exhibiting. Opportunities to get behind the wheel and test drive dozens of new vehicles are offered during a two-day Ride & Drive event. For more information visit ACTEXPO2023. 

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    Anyway you ship it, move it the SmartWay!

     

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | smartway_transport@epa.gov | http://www.epa.gov/smartway

    U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | 2000 Traverwood Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105

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  2. Weekly Update: Slow week

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Slow week again. A few more kids’ bikes trickled in, which was good. Our giveaway is this coming Saturday and we’re accepting bikes until Friday evening. A notice went out in E-week and the like so hopefully that’ll bump up our count. I haven’t taken inventory at Urbana for our total count but I’m guessing around 40 between both spaces.

    Tony, former Bike Project staffer and integral member in the creation of the original bike center in 2010 was back in town last week. He came and volunteered a full 4 hours and helped train up some staff, too.

    Our sales last week are at a record low. We had a few people in each day but looks like adjustments only, used innertubes, and no purchases. I’ll dig into the numbers this week to confirm it genuinely is that low and not an error.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 18
    Sales: $5.50

     

    Thanks!

     

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  4. Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) fall 2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC)
    Bike at Illinois Website and Campaign
    Bicycle Registration
    Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts
    Walkability Study
    ADA Transition Plan and 2017 Supplement
    Commuter Program: Bus, Bike, and Hike
    Reduce Driving on Campus
    Support Zipcar in Champaign-Urbana
    Bike Share with Veo
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    Please see attached the final presentation for the CTAC fall 2022. Watch the meeting recording here: https://uofi.box.com/s/6fp2xuq2qnwv4vgm34itku4pbdy2bioy

    Attached Files: 

  6. Weekly Update (week of November 28): Kids bike give away, for-sale bikes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, [Ed. note: Apologies for getting this in late.] We’ve finalized our Kid’s Bike Giveaway date/time with the Bike Project and have been working through our supply of donated bikes. Serendipitously we got nearly a half dozen kids bikes donated last week, even before we put the word out on the giveaway event.

    This week we kept working through that supply. I was out on Tuesday/Wednesday but visits have been lower since the cooler weather hit.

    While we’re working on the kids bikes we’ve also been able to fix up a few for-sale bikes, sitting at about 6 done and ready to go. Still have a large supply at the warehouse, which I’ll have more time to tackle after the 17th (date of the Kids Bike Event).

    Next week I’ll move over the finished kids bike to Urbana as we’re running out of space for them here.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 25
    Sales: $185.50
    Memberships: 2 for $60
    Misc. parts: 19 for $95.50

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  7. Transportation iCAP Team Meeting 12/2/22

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Bicycle Parking & Storage
    Use Electric Vehicles (EV)
    Install Public Use Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations

    The transportation iCAP team met on Friday, December 2nd at 3:00 P.M. CST to discuss electric vehicle charging, and updates on bike shelter procurement for the university. Due to a software error, the meeting minutes were not recorded.

    Link to meeting recording: https://mediaspace.illinois.edu/media/t/1_u3g573fb

    Attached Files: 

  8. Week 6 - Next steps

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Friendly University Status
    Reduce Bicycle Theft on Campus
    Independent Student Projects

    The next steps for the project progress would be to review the past BFU applications from 2011 - 2019 to understand the stage we as a university are at currently and would help to identify, compare and contrast the work across these timelines to improve the status and make recommendations after reviewing the feedback. 


     

  9. Week 5 - Check in meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Friendly University Status
    Reduce Bicycle Theft on Campus
    Independent Student Projects

    In the past weeks,  Aparna reviewed the  BFU Application to understand the scope of work, did research/literature review work, and familiarized herself with the current initiatives taken by the university at present to combat bike thefts. Moreover, she also had a conversation with a transportation staff from UCLA and ASU who had recently reached out to me on their ideas/approach on this topic for a qualitative aspect of this project. The same was also discussed with her capstone advisor, Prof. Lindsay Braun to go over the progress and find better clarity. 

  10. Weekly Updates for the week of 11/7 and 11/14

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    [11.7.22] All, Last week we completed the bike donation event with Working Bikes. Thanks to some Bike Project volunteers we were able to pack their truck full of bikes in about an hour and a half. Unfortunately, they were unable to take all of the abandoned bikes as there are about 50 left. I’ll work with TBP to deal with the remaining junk bikes as well as the ~200 we’ll keep for refurbishment.

    Last Thursday we were donated another pull-behind trailer, upping our count to 3 of them now. I will discuss with TBP ideas to make better use of these, as they take up a lot of space and we have zero demand for them.

    This week we will reinstate the First Visit Free policy as the cooler weather sets in.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 47

    Sales: $508
    Bike (refurbished): 1 for $225
    Memberships: 1 for $30
    Tires/tubes: 12 for $61

    [11.14.22]

    All, I was out sick for a portion of the non-open hours, but we were still able to get a few bikes on the sales floor and strip some bikes. This week I’ll grab some more of the good bikes from the barn and we’ll get to fixing those. We reinstated First Visit Free and were able to help folks get rolling.

    I had an interview last Friday with a potential new hire and we’ll be having a staff meeting this week to get some of our new staff up to speed as well as provide a refresher for the returning staffers.

    Next week we will be closed for Thanksgiving break. We’ll reopen Monday, 11/28/22.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 45
    Sales: $434
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $100
    Memberships: 4 for $120
    Tires/tubes: 8 for $103

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  13. Weekly Update: Reduced hours, Working Bikes this week

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center
    Collection and Donation of Abandoned Bicycles

    All, While my jury duty service was still in effect, we had reduced hours as needed last week but were able to open fully Wed – Fri. It was the first week of noticeably fewer folks through the doors. As such, we got a few bikes on the sales floor and a dozen or so moved over from storage.

    Tomorrow we will host Working Bikes for our donation event. This is the first one since Nov 2019. We’ll have around 200 bikes to donate and hopefully will have a few folks available to help out and make it go quicker. They’ll be providing pizza for us, too. This event will halve the number of bikes left in storage. The Bike Project and I will sort through the remaining bikes in the coming weeks.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 43
    Sales: $475.50
    Build-a-Bikes: 2 for $100
    Memberships: 4 for $120

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  14. Week 4 - Check in meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Friendly University Status
    Reduce Bicycle Theft on Campus
    Independent Student Projects

    This week Aparna got in touch with the staff of transit services from Arizona State University to understand their approach to achieving the Gold BFU certification. 

    Sarthak and Aparna also had a quick overview of the materials shared and brainstormed ideas/recommendations to raise awareness in the campus community as well as keep bike thefts in mind. 

    The next steps would be to familiarize with the topic better, collect all the research materials and make notes/highlight the existing implementation, and make comments on these.

  16. Weekly Update: Strong Towns, Bike Summit, potentially postponing Working Bikes

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Last week was a busy one. We had Strong Towns talk on Tuesday and the Illinois Bike Summit on Wednesday. Got in some good networking, heard some interesting talks/discussions, and got buzzed by two MTD buses on my bike commute there and then one car on my ride back to the Bike Center. Oh, the irony.

    The cooler weather has curtailed our visitors, but we’ve had a few volunteers, too—always nice.

    Grabbed some bikes from the warehouse last week and will continue to do so as I can this week. I have jury duty potentially all this week and next week, which majorly mucks up my plans for setting up with Working Bikes since I can’t plan past day-to-day. Likely will have to bump that to early November unless circumstances change.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 42
    Sales: $266
    Memberships: 3 for $90
    Tires/tubes: 3 for $20

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  17. Week 3 - Check in meeting

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Friendly University Status
    Reduce Bicycle Theft on Campus
    Independent Student Projects

    In this meeting,  potential ideas for secured bicycle parking were discussed as ways to promote awareness among the campus community. A capstone proposal outlining the final objectives and deliverables was drafted and Sarthak helped support this discussion sharing an Excel sheet that has all of the goals, current status, and plans for the future of some mentioned ideas towards achieving the said objectives with challenges that are yet to be tackled. 

    This week, Aparna is going to try to get in touch with the transportation team from other universities that have achieved the Gold BFU status to gather some ideas specific to raising awareness about bike thefts. This would navigate the research better. 

    Aparna is also spending her initial time on the project learning about the Bike registration process and other initiatives that are already ongoing at UIUC to help understand the way forward. She also has access to the iCAP portal to update and document the weekly meetings to keep a track of the project progress.

  18. Week 2 update: Objectives for capstone

    Associated Project(s): 
    Bicycle Friendly University Status
    Reduce Bicycle Theft on Campus
    Independent Student Projects

    Questions and doubts regarding the literature review done in the past week were discussed including a capstone report outline highlighting the main topics of research. More research work to follow in the coming week to help familiarize with the project's background. Aparna got contact information from the transportation department of UCLA and Arizona State University to discuss the project with their transportation team as the 2 universities have achieved the Gold BFU status and hoping to get a sense of direction or any leads on this. She is also in touch with Prof. Lindsay Braun who is her capstone advisor, and Briana Barr, Thomas Valencia, and Lily Wilcock from the City of Urbana who are working on similar projects.

    The idea was to bring more concepts and recommendations for a bike-friendly university to the table. We might also try to involve the Student Sustainability Committee, which uses a comprehensive evaluative process to fund a project that incorporates student involvement and an ability to spark change on campus. Aparna would help identify a cause as a part of the bike-friendly project which would also serve as a student-led project to apply for the SSC funding. An excel sheet that charts out the current status of the project were shared by Sarthak for better clarity, which also includes feedback from BFU to help plan for the future and achieve the desired goal.

    Three main objectives of the proposal would be -

    1. To get the BFU application drafted and ready to submit by the month of May
    2. Ideas for SSC funding for the Bike Friendly University Project
    3. Educate students and create a plan for bike thefts so that incoming students are aware of how to protect their bikes and encourage them to use this mode of transportation.

    An overall capstone proposal that outlines the said objectives and a work plan will be shared in the upcoming week. Access to the iCAP portal will be granted soon to chart out real-time updates and minutes of meetings.

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