Workshop #2: Transportation Operations and Infrastructure: Choices for Cleaner Air

As Part of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities Odyssey Day

Date: Friday, October 19, 2012

Time: 8:00 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Community College of Allegheny County West Hills Center
Directions

Cost: Free for All Participants Who Register in Advance

Breakfast and Lunch Provided

Register Here

Overview

• What alternative transportation options are available and how can my place of business set them up?
• What do I need to know about air quality regulations for my transportation fleet?
• What transportation investment options make sense for my business?
• What transportation choices are available to help improve our region's air quality?

“Transportation Operations and Infrastructure: Choices for Cleaner Air” features industry leaders sharing achievements and practical advice on ways to improve the way vehicle fleets perform and the way people commute.

The workshop consists of two panel sessions: The morning panel focuses on transportation operations, covering such topics as ridesharing, bicycling, timed rentals, emissions reductions, and cost benefits.

The afternoon panel highlights transportation system investments: fleet conversions, clean construction policies, emissions reduction systems, power plug-ins, alternative power units, and funding opportunities.

This workshop will benefit operators and managers of transportation fleets and corporate and community leaders from all sectors who are interested in topics related to transportation programs and policies that reduce costs, open up new opportunities, and improve air quality.

The workshop is offered conjointly with Odyssey Day, a full-day event designed to to inform fleet managers, municipalities and school districts about alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicles. These vehicles play a significant role in providing resolutions to the United States' development of energy security and environmental issues. More information about the full Odyssey Day program can be found here.

Background

The private sector has been a leading force in Southwestern Pennsylvania’s transformation from its industrial past to a present-day balanced economy and higher quality of life. Business leaders have taken on tough, interlocking issues in order to achieve economic development goals.

One remaining challenge is Southwestern Pennsylvania’s air quality. Despite many regional, sustainability-driven improvements, the region’s air quality continues to rank among the worst in the nation. Regional private sector leaders recognize that their future workforce’s talent, health, and competitiveness necessitate improving the region’s air quality.

The good news is that there are short-term, bottom-line economic benefits to implementing practices that simultaneously save money and improve air quality. Transportation improvements provide cost savings and air quality improvements, as well as long term healthier communities where future employees choose to live.

Agenda

9:00 AM Registration, Free Coffee and Donuts (Sponsored by Sustainable Pittsburgh)

9:30AM - 2:30PM - Vehicles on Display

• Signup
• Giveaways and information 
• Refreshments 
• Networking with Vendors 
• Ride N Drives 

9:30AM  Welcome

• Dr. Donna Imhoff, Community College of Allegheny County
• Jan Lauer, President Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities 
• Erin Russel-Story, Department of Energy Clean Cities Program DOE/NETL
  

10:00AM – 11:15 -  C4S Air Quality Improvement/Alternative Transportation Panel 1

• Mike Lickert, Giant Eagle (Idle Reduction and CNG Refrigeration)
• Cynthia Perthuis, IdleAir (Truck Stop Power Service)
• Lisa Kay Schweyer, Commute Info (Alterative Transportation Programs)

11:15AM – 11:30AM -  Rich Fitzgerald, Allegheny County Executive

11:30AM -Noon – Lunch (Sponsored by Giant Eagle and PRCC)

12:30PM – 1:00PM – Network with Vendors and Ride-in-Drives

1:00PM – 2:15PM –C4S Air Quality Improvement/Alternative Transportation Panel 2

• Scott Bricker, Bike Pittsburgh (Bike Friendly Employer Program)
• Rachel Filippini, Group Against Smog and Pollution (Anti Idling Solutions)
• Tom Kennedy, UPMC (Clean Construction Program)
• Stephen Smith, Robotics Institute, Carnegie Mellon (Traffic 21 Initiative—Traffic Signal Coordination)
  

2:15PM – Drawing for Gifts (Winner Must Be Present)

Register Here

About the Business of Clean Air Series

The C4S Air Quality Series Planning Committee is organizing a series of workshops that advance the mutually reinforcing agendas of sustainability and air quality in Southwestern Pennsylvania. This effort, sparked by interest from some of the region’s businesses and leaders in the Breathe Project, has garnered support for organizing informative workshops that focus on sustainable solutions that improve air quality and business operations. The C4S Series will feature business operational practices that save energy, save money, and improve the region’s air quality.

For more information please contact:

Matthew M. Mehalik, Ph.D., Program Manager, Sustainable Pittsburgh mmehalik@sustainablepittsburgh.org