Green Transportation Alternatives
Rationale:
My selections relate to alternative transportation resources, or also referred to as “sustainable transportation” in green lingo. As an automobile-oriented society, we have created a culture where a personal automobile is perceived as a necessity. The environmental impact of approximately 243,000,000 passenger vehicles in the United States is enormous. (US Bureau of Transit Statistics) Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is at the top of most lists to mitigate the effects of global warming and improving the environment.

These six resources offer practical suggestions for making wise transportation choices that will reduce the emission of carbon dioxide and other pollutants into the environment. Each one represents a different way to make a positive impact – from improving fuel economy and reducing emissions to eliminating or reducing the use of the car and taking to foot. Five of the resources cover the most common and obvious ways to embrace sustantainable transportation: improving vehicle environmental performance, car sharing, using public transportation, biking to work or school, and walking. The resources are applicable to any geographic area. One resource, CommuterConnections.org, brings the issue to the local level and provides practical information on a wide range of alternatives for reducing use of your vehicle in the DC metro area. These are not the only resources available, but they should provide a beginning to anyone who is seriously interested in making a positive contribution to "going green" through alternative transportation.

1. Green Vehicle Guide
Title: Green Vehicle Guide
Author: Environmental Protection Agency
URL: http://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/Index.do;jsessionid=823077f583c7165e5a69
Date: Website accessed November 2007.

Why I chose this resource: We will never eliminate cars as a mode of transportation, but if we choose more environmentally friendly vehicles, we can make a difference. This site has an excellent, easy to use tool to evaluate vehicles based on environmental performance.

2. Car Sharing
Title: CarSharing.Net
Author: Kevin McLaughlin, President, AutoShare
URL: http://www.carsharing.net/
Date: Accessed November 2007.

Why I chose this resource: If you only need a car occasionally, there may be no need to own one. This site offers a link to car sharing organizations in your city and in European destinations. This alternative to personal car ownership has become very popular around the US and can reduce the unnecessary use of personal automobiles.


3. Public Transportation
Title: Public Transportation: Wherever Life Takes You
Author: American Public Transportation Association
URL: http://www.publictransportation.org/default.asp
Date: Website accessed November 2007

Why I chose this resource: Public transportation is widely available and a highly effective and very practical means to have an impact on environmental quality. It is prominently featured as an important part of sustainable transportation. This site provides is a one-stop shop for public transportation systems across the US and saves time if researching bus and rail transit locally or at a travel destination.

4. Commuting by Bicycle

Title: The Essential Bicycle Commuter
Author: Trudy Bell
URL: Click here to locate the book.
Date: 1998

Why I chose this resource: This book provides all the essential know-hows to abandon your vehicle and pedal to work or school. Biking is common in European and Asian countries and with increasing gas prices, may become more of a necessity in the US. Commuting by bicycle is not always easy to do and this resource was selected to help get in the practice of biking safely and wisely.


5. Walking
Title: The Complete Guide to Walking: for health, weight loss and fitness
Author: Mark Fenton
URL: Click here to locate the book.
Date: 2007

Why I chose this resource: Walking is not always a practical form of transportation, but instead of taking a cab while in town, or driving short distances in the neighborhood or to the store or gym - why not try it? Walking contributes nothing to environmental pollution. However, there is a lot more to walking than tying on a pair of sneakers and heading out the door. This book is a comprehensive guide to proper walking for exercise and health and offer suggestions for building walkable communities.


6. CommuterConnections
Title: CommuterConnections.org
Author: Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments; National Capital Region Transportation Board
URL: www.commuterconnections.org
Date: Copyright 2007; Website last accessed November 2007

Why I chose this resource: This website was selected because it offers practical commuter transportation alternatives in the congested Washington, DC metro area. While there may be some duplication with the Public Transportation resource, this site provides a broader array of options for transportation, including carpool connection information and hard to find bike and trail maps throughout the area.