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Projects Updates for theme: Transportation

  1. Weekly Update: New staffer, Friday Rides

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Friday—warm weather and a Friday—meant a busy day. Rest of the week was slower. A new staffer started last week, which was a great help.

    This week looks warmer so we’ll be busier, likely. Will get some bikes finished and do some more onboarding with new staff. We have a weather radio and a regular radio here now to communicate with DCR staff as needed.

    Our Friday Ride events concluded last Friday with a decent showing and a ride to Meadowbrook and back. I’ll gauge staff interest in keeping them going this summer and we’ll definitely look to restart them in Aug/Sept when students are back full-time.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 53
    Sales: $866
    Bikes (refurb): 2 for $340
    Memberships: 7 for $210
    Tubes/tires: 23 for $141

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  2. Walkability audit: Spring 2022, Meeting 10

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    On Thursday 28th April, 2022, Sarthak and Sutapa met to discuss the results of Phase 2 data collection of the Walkability audit.

    The highest and lowest scoring map blocks have been updated as well as the individual category scores according to the new data received by the volunteers.

    Please see attached spreadsheet.

     

    Results:

    • Highest scoring map blocks: 1,7, 9, 12, 13
    • Lowest scoring map blocks: 19, 23, 24
    • Overall Walkability Index of campus: 76.2/100

    The final results and recommendations will be presented by Sutapa on 3rd May, 2022.

     

  4. Eco-Counter set installed and activated at Armory and Sixth

    Associated Project(s): 
    Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts
    Multimodal Corridor Enhancement Project (MCORE) [ARCHIVED]
    Bicycle Counts

    A set of Eco-Counters were installed at the intersection of Armory Ave and Sixth St on Tuesday, April 26, 2022. This is the last set of old counters that were purchased in 2019. These counters were activated on April 27, 2022, and they are now collecting and transmitting data. See attached to see the pictures of these counters.

    Attached Files: 

  5. Introductory meeting with Robert O'Daniell

    Associated Project(s): 
    Increase use of EVs and other Alternative Service Vehicles
    Use Electric Vehicles (EV)
    Install Public Use Electric Vehicle (EV) Charging Stations

    I met with Robert O'Daniell on Wednesday, April 27, 2022. We covered several topics, including the electrification trend, Federal and State tax credits for EVs, but majority of the time was dedicated to learn about the EV charging stations in Champaign County as compared to other cities.

    Robert also shared his own experience as an EV owner and the survey he is currently conducting to gauge interest in increasing the number of public-use EV charging and possibility of introducing DC Fast Charging to the campus and Champaign County.

    I will create the survey on Google Forms, and then help deploy it on-campus. We also discussed where to promote this survey.

    See attached the documents that we covered during this meeting.

    Attached Files: 

  6. Weekly Update: Friday Ride, New staff

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Pretty quiet last week. Friday picked up along with the weather. And nicer weather meant our first successful Friday Ride of the season!

    This week a couple new staffers will be starting. As the weather has warmed, we’re seeing an uptick in volunteer interest as well, which is welcomed.

    Tonight is the Bike Project Member Meeting, which I’ll attend.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 39
    Sales: $862
    Bikes (refurb): 3 for $550
    Memberships: $3 for $90
    Tire/tube: 3 for $6.25 (used/new)

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  8. Walkability audit: Spring 2022, Meeting 8,9

    Associated Project(s): 
    Walkability Study

    On April 14 and 21, 2022, Sarthak and Sutapa met to discuss the progress of the Walkability audit.

    Tasks decided:

    1. Data analysis will begin on 22nd April for the rest of the data points collected during Phase 2 of the audit.

    2. Campus high priority zones will be weighted higher than low priority zones. This will impact the overall walkability Index of the campus.

    3. Deficiency categories with highest number of recorded points identified are: Sidewalk Maintenance, Crosswalk Maintenance and Accessibility. Create a list of recommendations to improve them.

    4. Presentation of overall results to Transportation department by Sutapa on May 3rd, 2022, Capstone Poster presentation on May 5th 2022.

     

     

  9. Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) spring 2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC)
    Bike at Illinois Website and Campaign
    Bicycle Registration
    Pedestrian and Bicycle Counts
    Walkability Study
    Reduce Driving on Campus
    Support Zipcar in Champaign-Urbana
    Bike Share with Veo
    Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP)

    Please see attached the final presentation for the CTAC spring 2022. We also talked about abandoned bicycles and Campus Landscape Master Plan during this meeting. Also watch the meeting recording and read the chat from during the meeting: https://uofi.box.com/s/lv1xbqlcevdp6f2dfmiep2fpx3cq2zde

    Attached Files: 

  10. Two 100% all electric 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning trucks purchased for F&S fleet

    Associated Project(s): 
    F&S Sustainable Fleet Plan
    Decrease Emissions from UI Fleet
    Use Electric Vehicles (EV)
    Increase use of EVs and other Alternative Service Vehicles

    From: Varney, Peter W
    Sent: Tuesday, April 19, 2022 12:38 PM
    To: FandS Executive Management Team ; Gordon, Malikah Asrayyah ; Breitwieser, Steven
    Cc: Patterson, Shawn L ; Franzen, Neil
    Subject: Ford Lightnings for F&S

    As mentioned this morning, I have been able to secure two of the brand new 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning for F&S. These are all-electric crew cab pickup trucks with a ~200 mile range. The vehicles are equipped with a 9.6kW power system including multiple 120V and a single 240V outlet. Cargo payload is only about 1,600# or 2/3 of a standard F-150.

    These vehicles should allow for my team to gain familiarity with all-electric vehicles in our fleet as well as campus visibility regarding F&S’ commitment to sustainable fleet technology. I believe one of the vehicles would be a good fit in my Transportation Shop but I’m open to suggestions for the second truck. ETA will be in the June/July timeframe.

    Malikah – I want your team to be aware for any story/messaging opportunities. I also think we can use some special signage or wrap on the vehicle exterior.

    Pete W Varney
    DIRECTOR
    Transportation & Building Services
    Facilities & Services
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  11. Weekly Update: Bicycle Donations; Collaborations

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Had some intense weather mid-week that kept folks away from visiting us. A new student staffer started this week and hit the ground running. We got two quality bikes donated last week that are in-progress and one very nice near-new bike that is already on the sales floor.

    TBP prices bumped up slightly last week to no Ill effect here at CBC. In fact, the first mention of the higher prices was met with “A used tire for $8? That’s a great deal!”

    On Thursday, I consulted with a student from University of Connecticut about starting a bicycle cooperative space at his school. He’d heard good things about our operations from a former TBP member. Small world, too, since I grew up 20 minutes from UConn.

    This week is the Campus Transportation Advisory Committee meeting and the last week for one of my student staffers.

    The numbers:
    Visitors: 26
    Sales: $912.50
    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $180
    Bikes (B-a-B): 1 for $50
    Tires/tubes: 2 for $21

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  12. Weekly Update: Bike donations; Buid-a-Bike

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Rainy and cold kept us slow last week. Made some headway on some builds and received some donations that were aside for our Build-a-Bike program. Interest in Build-a-Bikes seems high--or at least stands out when we don’t have any available.

    On Friday, we were able to coordinate with Lael Elementary to donate most of the leftover kids bikes from last winter—15 bikes—despite the rainy weather. They were super appreciative and are interested in future donations of more kids bikes, which is great.

    Most of my staff will be gone for the summer, so this week I’ll finalize availability and assess from there with an eye towards setting summer 1 hours.

    The numbers:

    Visitors: 26
    Sales: $551.50

    Bikes (refurb): 1 for $120
    Memberships: 9 for $270
    Tires/tubes: 7 for $46

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  14. Weekly Update: New working hours; DIY maintenance event

    Associated Project(s): 
    Campus Bike Center

    All, Apologies for the late Digest. Last Thursday we had our Gender Aware Shop Hours. It was not well attended but the weather always plays a factor. There is staff interest in making it a recurring event which could help boost attendance. We also collaborated with Urbana Parks District at a pop-up DIY maintenance event at the Phillips Recreation Center in Urbana on Saturday. Twelve or so folks signed up and I think we saw 8 or so people over the two hours. People seemed to enjoy it and we’ll look to do it again next year.

    This week is almost over but we did start our first week of M – F. Our Tues/Th shifts were less busy than M/W/F but as the weather warms and the word gets out, we’ll undoubtedly get busy on those days as well. The slow start is welcomed as we’re not fully staffed yet.

    Next week projects to be more in the 50s than the 40s so we’re getting towards some warmer weather.

    The numbers:

    Sales: $974.50
    Bikes (refurb): 4 for $660
    Bikes (B-a-B): 2 for $60
    Memberships: 8 for $240
    Tires/tubes (used/new): 15 for $73

    Thanks!

    Jacob Benjamin
    Campus Bike Center Coordinator

  15. Transportation iCAP Team Meeting 3/31/2022

    Associated Project(s): 
    Transportation iCAP Team
    Fleet Replacement Plans
    Campus Landscape Master Plan (CLMP)

    The Transportation iCAP team met today 3/31/22 to discuss reaching out to the Prairie Research Institute to help establish a formal fleet replacement plan, the ongoing walkability audit and mode choice survey, and the ongoing Campus Landscape Master Plan Public Forums.

    Attached Files: 

  17. Bike Day presentation at National Bike Summit

    Associated Project(s): 
    C-U Bike to Work Day
    Light the Night

    Sarthak Prasad presented the findings from Bike Day 2021 event to the National Bike Summit on March 29, 2022! Bike Day 2021 was organized on September 14, 2021, with the Bike to Work Day event in the morning from 7-10 am and Light the Night event in the late afternoon/evening from 4-7 pm. Please see attached the presentation.

    Attached Files: 

  20. Workshop Registration

    Associated Project(s): 
    It's Your MTD Too!

    From: Prasad, Sarthak
    Sent: Friday, March 25, 2022 10:01 AM
    To: Jenvey, Timothy M; Rigdon, Susan Marie; Berg, Mark A; Padfield Narayan, Abigail; Hill, Tori; Tyner, Kaila
    Cc: DeLorenzo, Stacey; White, Morgan; Evan Alvarez; Allison Haines; Puddicombe, Nicholas; Bralts, Elisabeth Jane
    Subject: It's Your MTD Too workshop

    Hello all,

    Thank you so much for registering to attend the “It’s Your MTD Too” workshop! This is just a reminder that the event is today from 12 – 1:30 pm in the room 0060 (in the lower level) at the Siebel Center for Design (1208 S. Fourth St., Champaign, IL).

    We will start off the a short survey and then a presentation, followed by a quick bus ride! I hope to see you all today at the event and I hope this will be a learning experience for you all!

    Thank you so much,
    Sarthak


    Sarthak Prasad
    Sustainable Transportation Assistant
    Facilities & Services
    University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
    Phone: 217-300-9575
    Email: sprasad9@illinois.edu

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