Transportation Fair Goes Green for 2009 - 10/20/09
Rome News-Tribune: Transportation Fair Goes Green for 2009
Descriptions of a Mississippi police force taking shots at a propane tank may not figure directly into one’s idea of a transportation fair — but when you include the prospect of outfitting patrol cars with alternative fuels the idea comes more into focus.
A reconfigured patrol car, which has propane and gasoline fueling systems, was on display at The Forum — and no it didn’t explode when shot, said Stephen Whaley, of the Research and Development Division of Blossman Propane Gas & Appliance.
Whaley said law enforcement departments are switching for the reduced emissions and the acceleration factor inherent in the 108-octane propane.
From bike paths and walking trails to maglev trains, Wednesday’s transportation fair stepped it up by providing information about more environmentally aware modes of travel for Floyd County.
“The focus is now on the relationship between transportation and clean air,” said Sue Hiller, the director of the Rome-Floyd Planning Department. “This year a lot of environmental representatives are in attendance.”
Michael Skeen, Floyd County Public Works director, explained the importance of the upcoming Armuchee connector, which would include bike lanes that would connect to the current path at State Mutual Stadium.
“It should take 19 months or so to complete,” Skeen said. “Depending on weather conditions.”
The prospects for more bike trails and walking trails excited others at the expo, such as David Kenemer of Bike!Walk!Northwest Georgia, a group promoting those selfsame activities.
The prospect also appealed to representatives of the Clean Air Campaign, an employer services organization to promote carpooling and less environmentally impacting forms of transportation — such as biking to work.
“Our mission is to improve air quality in Georgia by reducing traffic and congestion,” said R. Kenyon Thweatt. “Fewer cars means cleaner air.”
Alan Ware, rail planner for the GDOT, discussed the GDOT’s plans for rail systems to eventually connect many of the larger population centers in Georgia.
Rail gets cars off the road and provides a “greener” answer to alleviating traffic conditions, Ware said.
With the increase in the possibility of rail as a viable form of interstate transportation, Jennie Glasgow, the state coordinator for Operation Lifesaver, a not for profit organization concerned with rail safety, said the topic is more important than ever.
Article in Rome News-Tribune
