August 2008 | www.metroplanning.org |
As the first week of Olympic competition comes to a close, rain is clearing the skies over Beijing – but not before a flurry of attention to air pollution from media across the globe. In his blog, Steve Cohen, executive director of Columbia University’s Earth Institute, in New York City, said, “It is clear that the organizers of this year's Summer Olympic Games understood that the success of Beijing's Games was closely connected to the quality of the local environment. Cities around the world are learning that in addition to great restaurants, exciting night life, and inspiring cultural opportunities, both residents and visitors expect cities to provide the air needed to breath.” In Chicago, of course, we are asking how our air quality will help or hurt our bid for the 2016 Games. Two of our competitors rank better than Chicago, and activity is already underway to reduce the region’s carbon emissions. Where We Stand
MPC supports a wide range of efforts and ideas to slow damage to the environment. However, most “green” initiatives, especially those related to driving, overlook the fact that how much people drive – and idle in traffic – is a huge detriment to air quality. Project Progress ReportMoving at the Speed of CongestionOn Tuesday, Aug. 5, MPC released its latest report, Moving at the Speed of Congestion. This report quantifies the cost of traffic gridlock to the Chicago region: $7.3 billion a year – nearly twice previous estimates – in lost time, fuel, and environmental damages. The majority of this is attributed to lost time, which costs the region more than 20 times the price of wasted fuel. For every hour a driver sits in rush-hour traffic in the Chicago region, he or she loses $14.76. That adds up to $1,579 a year – enough to fill up the average car's gas tank 25 times!As metropolitan Chicago continues to grow in population and attract new industry, it is imperative that act now to alleviate congestion. The report showed that congestion is a dynamic regional problem – and that must be solved regionally to avoid just shifting traffic from highways to arterials. “Excess congestion has infected the entire region’s transportation network,” said MarySue Barrett, MPC President, “and everyone from Kane to Cook should support and invest in solutions." Now that we understand the problem, let’s work together to find a solution. MPC did our part to focus media attention on transportation solutions in Chicagoland. Visit our newsroom for current coverage of Moving at the Speed of Congestion >> Listen to an audio recording of the Moving at the Speed of Congestion >>
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Re-connection is generously sponsored by: Upcoming eventsIn the NewsAvailable on MPC's Web site: Mass transit key to unclogging roadsDaily Herald, 8/6/2008 News Analysis with Elizabeth Brackett Chicago Tonight, 8/5/2008 Report: Congestion costs Chicago area $7.3 billion Forbes 8/6/08 Congestion Costs Chicago $7.3 Billion Per Year Streetsblog, 8/13/08 Will Co. leads the way in exporting workers, traffic The Herald News, 8/5/08 Available online for a limited time: Americans cut back on driving at start of summer as gas prices peaked Chicago Tribune, 8/13/2008 Neighborhood progress Chicago Tribune, 7/19/2008 Smart Growth: The good news about high gas price Washington Post, 8/11/2008 Chicago Has Shoulders Broad Enough to Host Games New York Times, 8/13/2008 Re-Connection past issuesFebruary 2008 Vol 1 Issue 1March 2008 Vol 1 Issue 2 April 2008 Vol 1 Issue 3 May 2008 Vol 1 Issue 4 June 2008 Vol 1 Issue 5 July 2008 Vol 1 Issue 6 Re-Connection is MPC's new monthly e-newsletter. Tell us what you think. Email reconnection@metroplanning.org with feedback in the subject. To subscribe, email reconnection@metroplanning.org with subscribe in the subject. To stop receiving this newsletter visit metroplanning.org/unsubscribe.asp? |
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