ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of May 28, 2021
Nora's Note
What comes next? This week, we announced a promotion at ASC. Karina Vangani, a team member since 2017, was made Director of Civic Planning, a new position at our firm. Our design team expanded with the addition of Khanh Tran. We’ll announce three new trainees next week, as well as new associates. We've started new projects, including AVANGRID Networks’ proposal for Excelsior Connect, a 108-mile transmission line to bring renewable energy to and significantly reduce fossil fuels in New York City. It’s a hopeful time, but we can't forget that we have lost almost 600,000 people to COVID-19 and 90,000 to overdose during the pandemic; we have become a nation of mourners. This will require we adopt new principles for public communication, including more genuine stakeholder engagement, transparency and fact-based communication. More on that coming. For now, remember their names.
21 Digital Trends for 2021
Each week, ASC's digital strategists explore the pros, cons and how-tos of using an emerging trend to reach wider, more representative audiences right where they are. This week, learn how to use graphics and audio that make everyone part of the conversation.
Transportation
Experts aim to dispel low-speed zone myths. To prevent the almost 1.35 million deaths related to road traffic crashes worldwide each year, cities must plan and design new traffic safety measures. A recent report highlights the potential of low-speed zones in meeting road safety goals, with the addition of physical calming measures like medians as one effective method. Read on for recommendations from safety experts in addressing community concerns about new traffic safety initiatives.
News 12: Over $30M going toward pavement restoration work on Long Island
Bloomberg CityLab: When Cities Say No to New Transportation Technology
NBC News: Electric vehicles escaped recent gas shortage — but the next cyberattack could take them down instead
ABC News: More pedestrians killed in crashes in 2020 despite less traffic amid the pandemic
The Hill: California will require Uber, Lyft drivers to transition to electric cars
Transport Topics: Looking Ahead to Autonomous Trucking
The Conversation: How electric cars can advance environmental justice
Cities Today: Civic engagement key to mobility success
NY Daily News: MTA juices electric bus plans by buying 60 battery-run models by end of 2021
Energy/Environment
Planning for the future of the nation’s grid. Recently, the Federal government and industry leaders have advanced several key actions toward modernizing transmission systems across the United States. In April, the Department of Energy announced $8.25 billion in loans to support transmission updates and the Department of Transportation released guidance on using highway right-of-way to expand transmission lines.The Grid Infrastructure Advisory Council, a new group of industry leaders recognized by the White House, has also formed to advance smart grid technologies. Read on for the transmission-related recommendations made by other key industry groups.
Grist: Climate change to blame for $8 billion of Hurricane Sandy damages
Next City: A Lumber Shortage Puts Demand and Prices for Plastics at an All-Time High. Is It Sustainable?
NY Magazine: Is This Concrete’s Breakthrough Moment?
The Conversation: How robots could limit the environmental impact of offshore windfarms
Science: Millions of electric cars are coming. What happens to all the dead batteries?
Utility Dive: Where should batteries be put to manage wind and solar power?
Power Engineering: DoE lab to pilot green hydrogen production using nuclear
NPR: The Energy Lurking In Sewers Could Help Fight Climate Change
Economic Development
NJEDA Board Approves NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge. Earlier this month, New Jersey took a major step toward ensuring equitable access to renewable energy jobs by launching the NJ Wind Turbine Tech Training Challenge. The New Jersey Economic Development Authority’s new grant program offers community colleges up to $1 million toward the development of a wind turbine technician training program. Read on to learn more about how the program encourages community colleges to form partnerships that will help meet the State’s offshore wind goals.
Governing: To Stay Competitive, U.S. Needs More Digital Infrastructure
Route Fifty: Treasury Says It Has Already Distributed $105B in State, Local Aid
Mass Transit: USDOT expands local hire and workforce development pilot programs
Niagara Gazette: NY State extends deadline on $10M Falls fund
NCPR: Food coop, children's museum expansions among Potsdam downtown revitalization projects
6sqft: NYC’s newest park Little Island finally opens on the Hudson River
City Limits: Public Review Process Begins for SoHo Rezoning Plan
NY Times: Small Businesses Have Surged in Black Communities. Was It the Stimulus?
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