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SMART GROWTH ACTIVITIES <br />I. TRANSPORTATION <br />3~ <br />Schools can be the Leader in environmental sirstainabillty and proactively create a model for <br />future generations to understand and perpetuate. <br />One of the mosf important aspects of smart growth is to limit the increasing dependency on the <br />automobile and reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT).. High VMT creates traffic, vehicle <br />accident problems with creating a safer walkable environment, and air and water quality <br />degradation. <br />A. MASS TRANSPORTATION' <br />a. Purchase buses or shuttles to develop enhanced transportation system for <br />the various uses and functions, and develop a brochure to promote same <br />(e.g. Run a Southern Village Shuttle). <br />b. Work with county and schools to investigate the use of alternative fuels <br />(including bio-fuels) and/or electric vehicles. <br />2. Investigate applicability of CTIP study with county's consultant Wilbur Smith and <br />Associates including use of alternative fuel. <br />3. a. Evaluate and develop the use of Chapel Hill Area Transit (CHAT), or <br />b. Orange Public Transportation (OPT) to augment public/school <br />transportation opportunities. <br />B. STUDENT DRIVING AND HEALTH <br />A report from UNC elaborates on the increased traffic safety risks that can occur during <br />the student driving age period. In the interest of traffic safety, finding alternate methods <br />for student mobility can be a community-wide safety improvement. (See UNC Safety <br />Report Regarding Student Driving) <br />STUDENT DRIVING/ALTERNATE SYSTEMS' <br />Develop or augment alternate systems of transportation to move students to and <br />from schools (especially for before and after school activities),. <br />a. Study bus ridership and bus routes to maximize efficiency including bus <br />size, time traveled and miles traveled,. <br />b. Purchase bus transit software and school redistricting to assist reduction <br />in VMT. <br />c. Employ public transit systems to improve network routes to schools and <br />among schools including between school systems. <br />C:IWINDOWSITemporary Internet FileslCon(enflE5195670LAFlSMARTGROWTH ACTIVITIES-3. doc <br />