State DOTs generally have not been viewed as the most progressive forces in transportation, often perceived primarily as road builders. So a recent "challenge" to drive less, if only for 12 days, came as a surprise. But hey, it's Oregon!
Why would the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) sponsor such a challenge?
Reducing congestion is understandable, as that's in the mission of most state DOTs, but ODOT's goals were also to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fuel use by reducing vehicle miles traveled (VMT), according to the AASHTO Journal.
The campaign, which ran from Oct. 21-Nov. 1, encouraged Oregon drivers to seek other forms of transportation for those 12 days, including walking, biking, taking public transportation, or carpooling. ODOT's goal was to eliminate 500,000 vehicle miles traveled by single drivers from the roadways.
The outcome surpassed ODOT's goals. According to their report, "thousands of participants cut more than 900,000 miles during that 12-day period. Those vehicle miles were reduced in many ways, as participants logged 21,885 bike trips, 12,500 carpool occurrences, 9,902 bus rides, 2,561 light rail trips, 147 streetcar rides, 7,805 walking trips, 2,106 telework instances, and 990 vanpool trips."
The result: "Elimination of 652,960 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions while saving 33,608 gallons of gas and $223,479." ODOT is contributing to the state effort "to reduce these emissions to levels 75 percent below those experienced in 1990 by 2050. The Drive Less Challenge was created to have an impact on those numbers while also creating more awareness for citizens of their transportation options and behaviors," writes AASHTO.
As we posted here earlier, Oregon signed the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy (PDF) on Oct. 28 to reduce these emissions. And then there's ODOT's commitment to intermodalism that we described here last May. All of which makes ODOT not your typical DOT.
As for participants in the Challenge program, winners were rewarded with gifts that included a $2,600 credit for a custom-built folding bike and annual transit passes,
Correspondent's note: It appears that ODOT refers to both the Oregon Department of Transportation and Ohio DOT. Confusing?
FULL STORY: Oregon DOT Surpasses Goals in Drive Less Challenge
The Unceremonious Death of a Freeway Expansion Project
The end of an Oregon freeway project didn't get much fanfare, but the victory is worth celebrating.
Oregon DOT Studies Impact of Race and Income on Road Safety
The findings of a recent memo highlight the disproportionate effects of unsafe road conditions on low-income people and BIPOC communities.
Oregon DOT Audit Gives Mixed Review
Independent auditing from consulting group McKinsey found Oregon's Department of Transportation wastes too much money in cost overruns, especially on small projects that also tend to finish late.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.
Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie