Want to see a light rail in the Treasure Valley?

If a “high-capacity” transit service, such as bus rapid transit or light rail, was built between Caldwell and Boise, would you use it? The Community Planning Association of Southwest Idaho, COMPASS, is asking residents of Ada and Canyon Counties to take a short online survey for input on these issues to help plan for a future high-capacity transit system. The survey is the third in a series of surveys, which collectively will feed into the next long-range transportation plan for Ada and Canyon Counties, Communities in Motion 2050.

How is bikeshare data shared?

As the world of shared mobility has grown, municipal staff who manage shared micromobility face an increasing number of questions about how they track data. Enter the General Bikeshare Feed Specification (GBFS). The GBFS is a common language shared by micromobility providers and the municipalities they serve. Many cities use the GBFS to show real-time information for bikeshare systems, such as the number of available docks or bikes per station. The North American Bikeshare Association (NABSA) recently released new guidelines for use by municipalities across the country.

Pedestrian deaths on the rise in the U.S.

AAA is reporting an alarming rise in pedestrians being hit and killed by cars in the United States over the last decade. Pedestrian deaths rose from 4,100 in 2009 to almost 6,300 in 2018, a 53% increase. Idaho numbers have followed the same upward trajectory, increasing by 70% in the same time span, from 10 to 17 deaths per year.
 

“One of the most common complaints we hear from school-age students is that drivers aren’t yielding to them when they’re trying to cross a street. We encourage bright clothing to be more visible, but drivers need to LOOK for pedestrians. Always assume someone is waiting to cross at intersections and slow down as you approach. This simple act can save lives. Safety is a shared responsibility by all of us.”

- Lisa Brady, Safe Routes to School Program Manager

Commuter Profile: ValleyRide Route 9 Eagle Extension

“I left my car at work downtown,” Meghan said. “Instead of inconveniencing my partner to drop me off at work or using a ride service, I took the bus as a conveniently green option.” Through her employer transportation benefits, she has free access to the ValleyRide bus system and she's grateful that the service provides another option for her to get to work.

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Shift towards SUVs and trucks offsets record low CO2 emissions

This month, the EPA released its Automotive Trends Report. Among the findings, all vehicle types are at or near record high fuel economy and record low CO2 emissions, however, market shifts away from cars and toward SUVs and pickups have offset some of the fleetwide benefits. 
 
Why is that important here in the west? SUVs and pickup trucks rule the road in Idaho. As the population grows, so do the number of vehicles and the pollution they produce. Using shared transportation, like the bus, carpools, and vanpools helps reduce pollution.