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University
North Transportation Initiative |
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Transportation
Information Service This newsletter was created to inform, update, and
educate members of the University North Transportation Initiative and the public
on local mobility issues, projects and developments. May 2001 Vol. 5 No. 8 Motorists Spend 36 Hours a Year in Traffic The average person spends 36 hours a year
sitting in traffic, according to the Texas Transportation Institute in a just
released study of congestion in 68 urban areas. Traffic congestion not only costs drivers time but also money. In fact, the costs of wasted time and burned
gasoline are estimated to be $78 billion a year. Another finding of the 2001 Urban
Mobility Study is that "rush hour" in the nation's major cities has
doubled in fewer than 20 years, increasing from one hour to almost three hours
in both the morning and evening "rush hours". William Wilkens, Executive Director of
The Road Information Program claims that, "the high quality of life that
Americans enjoy today is jeopardized because our highway system is inadequate
to meet the growing need for the reliable movement of goods." Alternative modes of transportation, such
as bus transit, ridesharing, bicycling, or walking can help to reduce costs and
stress associated with traffic congestion.
Call the UNTI at 974-9799 for more information on how you can join the
growing number of people switching to alternative forms of transportation. Shift to
Transit In 2000, the economy grew by five
percent, transit use grew by 21%, and driving increased by 11%, with growth in
driving flat, according to new 2000 figures and estimates, recently released by
the American Public Transportation Association and the Federal Highway
Administration. This marks the first
period of economic growth in 50 years that driving did not grow. Although
higher gas prices may play a role in the increased use of transit, it is also
becoming clear that Americans have a better understanding of their
transportation options and are taking advantage of those options. In fact, in a recent FHWA survey,
respondents favored building more transit, bikeways and sidewalks by over 60%,
in a show of their continuing commitment to alternative modes of
transportation. Interstate Updates For information on scheduled lane and
ramp closures, detour routes, and ways to improve your commute, visit Tampa Bay
Interstates at http://www.tbinterstates.com. On the website, you can subscribe to receive
regular email updates on traffic complications that arise unexpectedly. The Florida Department of Transportation
maintains this site to inform the public on transportation projects in District
Seven, covering Citrus, Hernando, Pasco, and Pinellas Counties. May is Clean Air Month Governor Jeb Bush has officially declared
May as Clean Air Month. The focus of Clean
Air Month is air pollution prevention.
You can help maintain our air quality by taking some or all of the
following measures. 10
Things YOU Can Do To Keep Florida's Air Clean Carpool Use Public Transportation Conserve Electricity Walk, Bike, Skate Maintain Your Vehicle Shop By Phone, Mail, Internet Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Avoid Spilling At Pump Combine Trips Teleconference, Telecommute You
too can be "AIR AWARE!" UNTI
COMMUNITY NEWS: Progress Toward
New Schools The
land acquisition process is underway to make way for two new schools, expected
to open in August 2003, in the Hillsborough County School District. The fifteen acres of land is located from
Inoma Street east to Livingston Avenue and from 138th Avenue south
to 136th Street. The elementary and high schools would be part of a
multi-service complex, including a health center, recreational facilities and a
social services center. The
complex would be adjacent to the University Area Community Development Corporation
(UACDC). UNTI Board Member and UACDC
Director of Grants and Programs, Angela Severino, said, "the UACDC is
excited to work with the school system and Hillsborough County to revitalize
and develop the University Area, not only in terms of the new schools and
health services center but also in terms of 22nd Street, which will
hopefully include affordable housing, economic development, and community
development in the future." New Tampa
Resident Considers a Run for County Commission New
Tampa resident Jim Davison has expressed interest in running for the District 2
seat that Jim Norman will vacate.
Davison, a republican, is also a member of the New Tampa Transportation
Task Force. He decided to run in hopes
of giving New Tampa a "greater voice in countywide issues, particularly
transportation." Davison has been
an ardent supporter of transportation projects to reduce congestion on Bruce B.
Downs. He is also supportive of the
alternative travel options supported by the UNTI, such as increased carpooling,
vanpools, transit, and staggered work hours to alleviate congestion. What is the
UNTI? The University
North Transportation Initiate (UNTI) is a public-private partnership that
provides a forum to address the transportation needs of the University North
Area. The University
North is the name given to a major destination area in Hillsborough
County. It contains a high
concentration of employment and commercial activity where traffic congestion
occurs. University North is the area generally
bounded by Busch Boulevard to the south, I-75 to the east, 22nd
Street to the west and Bruce B. Downs to the north. The UNTI's main
goals are to: Reduce traffic
congestion, Improve air quality, and Promote
alternative commute modes, such as carpooling, vanpooling, transit, bicycling,
or walking.
University
North Transportation Initiative A Public-Private
Partnership Located at the
Center for Urban Transportation
Research (CUTR) University of
South Florida 4202 E. Fowler
Ave., CUT 100 Tampa, FL 33620-5375 (813) 974-9799;
974-5168 (fax) |
