ASC's Intersections Newsletter — November 22nd, 2023
Nora's Note
Happy Thanksgiving from ASC. In honor of the holiday, ASC would like to highlight two organizations we've long supported. We're grateful for God’s Love We Deliver, which prepares and delivers free meals to those living at home with serious illnesses in NYC, ensuring equitable access to nutritious meals for all. And while many tables will fill with abundance this week, we stop and applaud Backpacks for the Street, which helps those experiencing homelessness with essential services and life-saving backpacks and a message of hope. We're proud to work with these organizations to give back with thanks. Wishing you and yours a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
Transportation
Fare-Capping Policies May Increase Transit Ridership. Researchers from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville evaluated the U.S.’ 50 largest public transit systems and found that monthly fare-capping policies were associated with a 3.6-4.1% increase in ridership. Agencies with weekly fare-capping policies did not see ridership changes related to fare-capping. As many agencies explore fare-capping policies to address inequities between riders who pay per ride and those who pay for multi-ride passes, including New York City’s Metropolitan Transit Authority, this research is increasingly timely. Read more for the researchers’ hypotheses for these increases. (Source: Mass Transit Mag)
NPR: Skinny roads save lives, according to a study on the width of traffic lanes
State Scoop: Philadelphia transit system will use AI to ticket cars parked in bus lanes
Smart Cities Dive: NYC reveals plans to build air taxi infrastructure as test flights hit its skies
Climate
Clean energy manufacturing is on the rise in New York. The Biden-Harris administration, through the landmark Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), has made domestic manufacturing a key tenet of America’s energy transition and New York is putting its weight behind drawing clean energy manufacturers to the state. This strategy has yielded early success, with $783 million invested in 10 projects and the creation of 2,739 jobs in the first year since the IRA’s passage. By sustaining and expanding these incentives, New York can meet its’ climate goals, revitalize manufacturing communities, and set an example for an equitable and sustainable industry. Read more about the projects and innovative solutions. (Source: Utility Dive)
Grist: Every region of the country is taking climate action. Here’s how.
Smart Cities Dive: Austin, Texas, releases zero waste plan as population booms
Axios: Space-based carbon dioxide monitoring reaches critical milestone
Economic Development
Energy efficiency measures could save buildings more than 31% annually, study finds. A pilot project in Atlanta identified that nine commercial buildings could collectively reduce their energy use by over 31%, translating to 19.7 million kilowatt hours and $2.2 million in annual savings. The energy efficiency measures proposed included LED lighting upgrades, envelope repairs, and adjustments to heating and cooling setpoints. One notable finding was that envelope leakage, accounting for 17% of energy use in a building, was detected by flying autonomous drones to assess air escaping from inside. Read more for how this program is exploring additional cost and energy-saving opportunities. (Source: Utility Dive)
Route Fifty: Expanded health insurance for immigrants gains traction in states
Spectrum News: Office-to-housing conversions continue, but more would depend on political action
WBUR: Entrepreneurs want to use EV chargers to highlight historic Black landmarks
Digital
A robust digital equity plan can boost rural broadband access. With more than $42.5 billion available through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration's Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment program, the Rural Broadband Association is urging providers to develop digital equity plans in a new toolkit. The organization recommends thorough needs assessments of communities and an emphasis on cybersecurity awareness for seniors and digital literacy particularly for rural youth. Read more on how the plan seeks to increase economic prosperity and narrow the digital divide. (Source: Route Fifty)
Canary Media: It’s hard to connect clean power to the grid. New software can help
Route Fifty: Statewide housing programs can be complex. A good website can help.
Engadget: AI is starting to outperform meteorologists
About Arch Street Communications
At ASC, we help government agencies, corporations and nonprofit organizations across the globe communicate issues that affect people’s lives. We’re the bold, nimble, women-owned small business (WBE) that has supported strategic communications programs to build stronger communities for 30 years.
Ready to find the “simple truth” solutions to build a better future? We want to hear from you! Get in touch to learn how our signature approach can work for you.
Subscribe to Arch Street Communications' Newsletter Intersections
