Our Mission
To provide technical and research services to assist in the creation of sustainable, livable and vibrant communities.
We offer:
Data Analysis
Site Planning
Grant Writing
- Research & White Papers
- Non-Profit Management
Environmental Planning
Transportation Planning
Community Involvement
- Short-term and long-term assistance
Projects
Green Wave: Bicycle-Speed Timed Signals
Currently working with the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency (SFMTA), the San Francisco Bicycle Coalition (SFBC), and The San Francisco Planning and Urban Research Associaiton (SPUR) to create a Working Proposal for a network of Green Waves in San Francisco.
Green Waves are synchronized traffic signals timed for bicycle speeds. When cyclists bike 12-14 mph they reach the green light every time. This has been implemented in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands and
Odense, Denmark. In Amsterdam "Trams become about 1.5 minutes faster and buses moving
out of the city centre about 3 minutes faster. Cars moving out of the
city centre become three quarters of a minute slower."
Benefits
- Minimizes stopping
so cyclists save time, maintain momentum, and conserve
energy (theoretically could be calculated as reduction in food
intake and hence carbon emissions).
- Discourages
bicycle red-light running (increasing bike and pedestrian safety).
- Decreases car/bike
conflicts as bikes and autos are moving at similar speeds. This
possibly decreases “right hooks,” and allows cyclists to
“take the lane” safely when there are cars or other
obstacles in bike lanes.
- Slows traffic to
increase safety for all modes (decreases severity of crashes)
- Slowing auto-traffic has been shown to increase traffic flow during peak periods.
- Simply makes it more pleasant and more convenient to travel the street by bike.
Researched
criteria to create a certification program for cities and developers to
reduce vehicle miles traveled. Wrote white paper outlining which
measures best aid developers and governments to build projects and
programs to reduce auto pollution.
Nelson Nygaard
Collected
data to analyze the accuracy of MUNI’s GPS bus tracking system NextBus.
Conducted surveys to assess the viability of a shuttle to reduce VMT at
Point Reyes National Seashore.
Better Streets Plan
Researched best practices for the San Francisco Pedestrian Master Plan in conjunction with
WalkSF. Created a white paper with information that can be included in the plan to implement innovative pedestrian transportation projects.
