NYSDOT, NYSERDA Invest $1.1 Million in Research to Cut Energy Use in Transportation Sector

Ten organizations and universities have been chosen by the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) to receive funding to advance research on energy-saving technologies designed to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions in New York State.

The NYSDOT has funded $700,000 and NYSERDA has funded $400,000 toward these transportation-related initiatives, which leveraged an additional $1.3 million in recipient cost-sharing. The goal of the program is to reduce energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in all facets of transportation in the state.

Organizations and universities receiving funding are working on projects that:

*         Reduce the number of single occupancy vehicles on the road and promote the use of mass or alternative forms of transit.

*         Improve fuel efficiency by providing real-time driver feedback and traffic conditions.

*         Demonstrate upstate bicycle sharing as a viable means of alternative transportation.

*         Evaluate innovative freight delivery strategies for congested urban areas.

“NYSERDA is pleased to join the Department of Transportation in helping to reduce pollution from vehicles traveling New York’s streets and highways,” said Francis J. Murray Jr., President and CEO of NYSERDA. “Transportation accounts for 75 percent of the oil consumed in the United States, and is responsible for 40 percent of the greenhouse gases produced. The research these organizations conduct will help shrink the environmental impact of this vital sector. “

State Department of Transportation Commissioner Joan McDonald said, “Congratulations to the recipients of these funds, which will be used to develop and test innovative transportation technologies and strategies that have the potential to reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with transportation.  NYSDOT and NYSERDA are partnering in this valuable research initiative to advance livable communities and transportation sustainability in support of the state’s economic growth.”

This is the sixth joint research and development solicitation between NYSERDA and NYSDOT.  To date, more than 60 innovative, cost-shared projects have been selected for funding at locations throughout the state.  The program this year focuses on Transportation System Management and Operations, Transportation Demand Management and Transportation Sustainability.

Projects:

Western New York

*         Buffalo Carshare: To create a stable, self-sufficient bicycle-sharing network in Buffalo and provide financial analysis as it grows. Staff will be shared with Green Options Buffalo. Funding: $143,000  http://www.buffalocarshare.org/

*         Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus: For the establishment and first year activities of a Transportation Management Association (TMA) that will work to reduce the transportation demands and advance alternative transportation options for people who work on the Medical Campus. Funding: $121,000  www.bnmc.org/<http://www.bnmc.org/>

*         Green Options Buffalo:  To establish an outreach campaign promoting a Complete Streets Program, which would encourage policies that make streets more usable for cyclists, pedestrians and other non-drivers. Funding will also go to holding a Complete Streets Summit, attracting nearly 100 participants, to explore best practices, share ideas and showcase solutions on how to plan and design a Complete Streets campaign. Funding: $20,000  http://greenoptionsbuffalo.org/

Central New York

*         C&S Engineers Inc. of Syracuse: – To partially fund the Transportation Demand Management Program for St. Joseph’s Hospital Health Center, an employer-based program to promote carpools, vanpools or other energy-efficient transportation alternatives. Funding: $150,000  www.cscos.com/<http://www.cscos.com/>

*         New West Technologies LLC of Utica: To study the feasibility of electrifying a portion of the NYS Canal Corporation’s 70 boats, which are used to maintain canal operations and support an inherently energy efficient mode of freight transport. Funding: $75,000  www.nwttech.com/<http://www.nwttech.com/>

Capital Region

*         University at Albany: To make alternative transportation use a more viable option by implementing a wireless GPS tracking system on the university bus fleet and broadcasting the real-time locations to commuters via the Internet or a smart phone application. Currently, only 18 percent of UAlbany students and 2 percent of employees use the university bus fleet on a daily basis. Funding: $166,000  www.albany.edu/<http://www.albany.edu/>

*         Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy: To study the feasibility of installing noise reduction technologies on commercial vehicles to support off-hour deliveries in New York City. Funding: $75,000  http://rpi.edu/

New York City

*         The City College of New York: To evaluate and quantify the benefits of using freight-tricycles compared to motorized vehicles for urban delivery in Manhattan. Funding: $75,000  www1.ccny.cuny.edu/<http://www1.ccny.cuny.edu/>

*         TransCore ITS LLC: To provide off-site, 24-hour operations of the City of White Plains smart traffic light control system, an advanced signal control system that helps improve traffic flow by regulating light changes based on which streets have the most traffic. Funding: $51,000  www.transcore.com/<http://www.transcore.com/>

Statewide

*         TomTom North America of Concord, Mass.:  To establish a New York State pool of 1,200 fleet vehicles equipped with feedback systems that provide drivers with fuel use and real-time traffic information. The system is expected to reduce fuel use and travel times by more efficient driving using TomTom’s HD Traffic with EcoPlus. EcoPlus, a driver feedback module, is currently only available in Europe. Funding: $250,000  www.tomtom.com/<http://www.tomtom.com/>

Source: NYSERDA