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Active Transportation Measurement and Benchmarking Development Extension: Minneapolis Case Study
Dr. Billy Fields, UNO
This project is an extension of the current Gulf Coast Center project, the Active Transportation Measurement and Benchmarking Study: New Orleans Case Study. The New Orleans Case Study examines the impact of improved bicycling and walking facilities installed following Hurricane Katrina. The Minneapolis Case Extension takes advantage of another unique research opportunity to examine a large scale environmental intervention in Minneapolis where $20 million in active transportation improvements are being implemented as part of the federal Non-motorized Transportation Pilot Program. Bicycle count data from over 40 locations around Minneapolis have been collected both before new facilities were installed and after their completion. This longitudinal data set, supplied to researchers by Transit for Livable Communities, provides an important opportunity to utilize a pre/post design to test the impact of environmental change. This unique data set presents an important opportunity to longitudinally evaluate change in built environment on bicycling usage.
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Louisiana Intermodal Transportation Infrastructure Study: Feasibility Analysis for Inland Waterway Container Transport Systems within the Lower Mississippi Region and the New Orleans Metropolitan Area
James Amdal and Stan Swigart, UNO
The primary objective of this study is to conduct an analysis of successful inland waterway container transport in selected U.S. locations and to assess the feasibility of this transportation mode within the Mississippi River corridor. A “marine highway” initiative is being proposed by the USDOT to encourage a shift of cargo movements from traditional surface transportation modes to maritime systems. This research will be conducted in partnership with the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (RPC). As a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), the RPC has the distinct advantage of providing a regional perspective on transportation systems. This project will allow the RPC to expand their traditional perspective to include the regions extensive maritime transportation assets as well as a perspective of resilient freight transportation utilizing inland waterways as an alternate delivery system.
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Incorporating the Ports and Waterways System Capabilities into the Local Emergency Response System
James Amdal, Dr. Jay Jayawardana and Stan Swigart, UNO
The primary objective of the research is to examine how the ports and extensive inland waterway network can be incorporated into the state emergency management systems currently in place. It will examine the physical facilities available at ports and the necessary agreements required to access these assets in times of emergency. The recent devastations caused by hurricanes in Louisiana and the oil spill currently impacting coastal Louisiana underscore the need for a more effective local emergency management system. A coordinated first response by emergency teams in the area using local resources is the most effective means to minimize loss of human life as well as property and environmental damage.
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Active Transportation Measurement and Benchmarking Development: New Orleans Case
Dr. Billy Fields, Department of Planning and Urban Studies, UNO
Abstract: The Active Transportation Measurement and Benchmarking Development: New Orleans Case Study aims to improve the policy making and planning framework by creating a comprehensive set of active transportation indicators on current usage and safety trends in New Orleans. New Orleans is significantly expanding the scope of active transportation facilities, moving from under 5 miles of bicycle facilities before Katrina to over 40 miles planned for completion in 2010. This project will conduct user counts of the number of pedestrians and bicyclists both before and after facilities are enhanced at a diverse set of locations around New Orleans to examine the impact of this expansion. The project will leverage resources through partnerships with the Regional Planning Commission and Tulane University to help expand the scope and impact of the project.
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New Orleans Claiborne Avenue Redevelopment Study
Students of Dr. John L. Renne’s Spring 2011 Applied Techniques for Transportation Planning
This study examines the potential implications of the removal of the Claiborne Expressway segment of Interstate 10, a proposal that has gained traction since Hurricane Katrina. This study complements previous analyses of the impacts of removing the elevated expressway. It considers: case studies of best practices in highway removal; the history of the study area; and the proposal in terms of its local and regional context -- in particular the transportation system, land-use patterns, economy and community of the affected area. Stakeholder interviews and surveys were conducted to assist with drawing conclusions and recommendations about the proposed removal of the I-10 highway segment and redevelopment of the Claiborne corridor.
Video of Final Presentation: http://vimeo.com/24056528
Final Report: Soon to be completed
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Federal Transit Administration, National Study on Carless and Special Needs Evacuation Planning
Principal Investigator: Dr. John L. Renne, AICP
2007 - 2011
The objective of this study is to research how State Departments of Transportation (state DOTs), metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), transit agencies, and local governments are considering, in the context of their emergency preparedness planning, the unique needs of minority, low-income, elderly, disabled, and Limited English Proficient (LEP) persons, especially for households without vehicles. In addition to collecting and documenting agency plans, practices, philosophies, the project also includes a comparative evaluation and assessment to identify practices that are particularly effective, innovative, and/or cost effective.