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Idaho Transportation
Department
Public Affairs Office
P.O. Box 7129
Boise, ID 83707
208.334.8005
Fax: 208.334.8563
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NIATT, ITD and UI sponsor
Sustainable Transportation Conference

From UI Communications
A large response to the University of Idaho's sustainable transportation conference and workshops set for Sept. 22-23 at the UI Commons has resulted in more sponsored support and free registrations for participants.

Because of the sponsorships of the UI, City of Moscow, the Idaho Transportation Department, Federal Highway Administration, Idaho National Laboratory, Valley Transit, Commercial Developer Shelley L. Bennett, Gem Valley Appraisal and others, the registration fee of $50 has been waived.

"We are delighted that this topic has drawn so much interest, not only from the city, but also from the university community," said Michael Kyte, director of the National Institute for Advanced Transportation Technology, the sponsor. We expect to have a full house at the two-day event,"

The forum will provide ideas, discussion and possible action plans.

More than 160 already have registered to be part of the dialog with experts and other community leaders about how to achieve environmentally friendlier transportation in the region.

Another 40 slots are open in the Sustainability Conference, and require registration at (208) 885-0576 or online at http://www.webs1.uidaho.edu/sustainable_transportation/registration.htm .

Kyte notes that these last slots are going fast.

Several experts in sustainability will make presentations the morning of Sept. 22 and will help lead breakout discussions.

They are:

  • Will Toor, from Boulder, Colo. and author of "Transportation and Sustainable Campus Communities;"
  • Eva Matsuzaki, Vancouver, B.C. and contributor to public transportation there
  • Matthew St. Clair, first sustainability specialist for the University of California's 10-campus system;
  • Jean Brittingham, vice president of CH2M-Hill, and Don Forbes, former director of Oregon Department of Transportation, who together wrote "A Template for Sustainable Transportation;" and
  • Mark Stemen, coordinator for the Environmental Studies Program at California State University, Chico.

Workshop sessions follow from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Sept. 22 .The five tracks are: campus and local transportation, integrating sustainability into curriculum, sustainable land-use issues, biodiesel fuel production and creation of a Sustainable Energy Laboratory and Transit Facility.

The "clean transit" facility is a proposal to provide research, production and demonstration of renewable energy, focusing on biofuels, bio-lubricants, “clean” vehicles and hydrogen production. It would reduce local transit costs, support local agricultural economy, contribute to alternative fuel development and uses and lead sustainable transportation research.

NIATT at UI has secured $497,153 in Federal Transit Authority funds and seeks additional funds for the project.

Participants then are invited to attend the 6 p.m. "NewCity Moscow" event in Friendship Square to learn how the two topics can better prepare the Palouse to thrive in the 21st century. (See www.moscow.id.us/council/NewCities/Index.asp).

"The city of Moscow is embarking on a new initiative to empower citizens to create the city of the future," said Linda Pall, city council member and community activist. "Sustainability is a key factor for all of our decisions, but no place is more important than in our transportation planning and development.

"This UI-NIATT conference will give us a better toolbox to help create the future that Moscow's children's children will appreciate."

On Sept. 23, the transportation workshops continue from 9 a.m. to noon. Summary, integration of activities and discussion of future plans will take place from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. While the nationally known experts will provide ideas, participants will drive the local solutions.