Roads, Vehicles, Bridges, Parking Lots
WHY IT MATTERS
The way roads and bridges are constructed and maintained has environmental, economic, and social implications for your community. Are your roads well-maintained, or do you wait until they are practically impassable to repair them? Do your bridges contribute to streambank erosion? Are your stormwater practices effective with respect to roads and bridges? How much salt do you use on your roads in the winter? How can you reduce your reliance on oil-based asphalt? How can you reduce the amount of impervious pavement contributing to stormwater runoff in your community? Are your parking lots designed to create stormwater or releave it?
Vehicle options, fuel options, and vehicle use standards are changing, partly in response to concern over climate change. Are your vehicles energy-efficient? Are your vehicles being put to their best uses? Do you have vehicles idling at schools and other public places? Are your roads properly sized and designed to accommodate multiple uses and reduce reliance on vehicles?
Solutions That Work!
Alternative paving regimes, Richmond, Vermont
In Richmond, Vermont, Yellow Wood Associates researched a number of alternative paving regimes that minimize stormwater runoff. Based on performance characteristics and history of use, Yellow Wood recommended that the town should consider using a permeable pavement, such as porous pavement, when re-paving a municipally-owned parking lot (i.e. the Town Center). Porous pavement has been shown to significantly decrease stormwater runoff and has performed well in a variety of applications, including some in Vermont.
Alternative fuels for town vehicles, Richmond, Vermont
In researching alternative fuels for town vehicles in Richmond, Vermont, Yellow Wood recommended that the town should pay close attention to developments within the biodiesel industry and encourage opportunities to develop a local pilot project, (i.e. partnering with the school district) given sufficient resources and interest. In addition, Yellow Wood suggested consideration of a pilot project to convert one of the Police Department’s vehicles to a fuel system that can use both propane and biodiesel.
Road inventory, Hancock, New Hampshire
Based on Hancock’s extensive road maintenance reporting, it was possible for Yellow Wood to review Hancock’s road segments based on the amount of money spent to maintain them and compare this with information about their condition and how they are meeting current and future needs.
Bridge inventory, Hancock, New Hampshire
In inventorying and assessing Hancock’s bridges, Yellow Wood found that six of their eleven bridges, including all of the bridges that need to be replaced, have medium or high erosion at their supports and three of those have medium or high flood frequency. These are obviously priorities for repair or replacement. Yellow Wood was able to direct Hancock to New Hampshire Bridge Aid, a state program that offsets the actual costs of bridge work by 80%.
Vehicles, Richmond, Massachusetts
Since 12 of Richmond’s vehicles currently use diesel fuel, Yellow Wood’s inventory report suggested that using biodiesel as a fuel source may provide an opportunity to cut costs and improve air quality.
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