Infrastructure – Page 3

Building Ready Multnomah

Problem

With scientists’ predictions of a massive earthquake affecting a sizable portion of the Pacific Northwest in the next 50 years, too few commercial buildings are prepared for a natural disaster of such scale. Moreover, climate change has meant hotter summers and extreme winters that drive up demand for energy. Yet too few building owners have access to the capital and the expertise needed to address these energy needs.

Solution

Building Ready Multnomah” initiative to make commercial buildings earthquake safe and energy smart. The initiative adopts a “Property Assessed Clean Energy” (PACE) model to help finance energy efficiency upgrades to buildings. This method helps identify the most effective upgrades for each individual building. And by providing longer loan repayment options, payments can be offset by future savings from reduced energy use and the value of renewable energy generated. These savings can also help cover the necessary seismic upgrades to help the community prepare for future natural disasters.

A Wide Road and Sturdy Guardrails for Driverless Cars

Problem

Driverless cars have the potential to reduce traffic fatalities by up to 90%. They will provide affordable, on-demand transportation for those with disabilities, our aging population, and anyone with an unreliable vehicle—no one will ever have to miss work because their car won’t start. However, CO law currently does not address even the possibility of driverless cars. Until driverless cars are as safe as those with drivers, we need to protect people on the roads while ensuring that our state is a safe and attractive place for this developing new industry.

Solution

Driverless cars will provide more accessible and affordable transportation to everyone, but the technology is developing faster than our ability to regulate it. To encourage entrepreneurship while keeping people safe we need clear legal boundaries alongside highly adaptable oversight. My bill works to give CDOT and State Patrol the authority and the flexibility they need to work with companies at all stages of testing while ensuring the safety of all Coloradans by doing four things: The bill recognizes that driverless cars exist. It requires them to follow all traffic laws. If they can’t, a company must get approval for testing from CDOT and State Patrol. And if they go ahead without approval, State Patrol will impound their vehicles. We give CDOT and State Patrol the authority and the flexibility they need to work with companies at all stages of testing while ensuring the safety of all Coloradans. Since we passed this legislation, the French driverless car company EasyRide has named Denver their US headquarters.

Growth and Progress Through Public-Private Partnerships

Problem

Arkansas and other states have more infrastructure needs than they can ever afford to fund from their public treasuries. Roads, bridges, water projects, higher education facilities, and other items need to be built and sustained, but there is no room in existing budgets to allocate toward them. This is a critical problem that will suppress economic growth and impact public safety if it is not addressed.

Solution

Public-Private Partnerships can leverage the efficiency and capital of the private sector to create and sustain infrastructure that would be impossible through public funding alone, leading to more economic growth and opportunity for all. P3s have been utilized successfully around the world for several decades, but they are relatively new in the USA, and this year I passed a comprehensive bill authorizing and enabling P3s in Arkansas. As a result, private entities can now put forth unsolicited bids for proposals for what they think may be in the public interest. The bill encourages competition, while also providing a statutory framework for government entities to solicit private capital and investment, as well as a mechanism for government to capture the value it creates in increased real estate values and economic activity through a revenue sharing arrangement with developers.

Schools as Centers of Sustainability

Problem

As public institutions, our school facilities are generally not on the forefront of design innovation. With twenty-one schools, the district I represent is one of the biggest property owners in the region, yet completely reliant on fossil fuels. For example, not one of them is powered by solar energy and there is just one car charging station for the several thousand employees in the district. Given this context, made sustainability a priority in the district, by first spearheading a climate change resolution that passed and also pushing for a staff position solely devoted to making great strides in this area. Climate change disproportionately impacts future generations and our schools should lead the way in our climate crisis.

Solution

Creating a sustainability position is not just good for the environment but it is smart economics. Districts across the country are now seeing savings of several hundred thousand dollars by shifting to renewable energy sources, conducting audits on energy and water use and employing innovative strategies. Making sustainability a priority in the form of this position, will foster a more comprehensive educational environment for students growing up in a climate crisis, directly showing them the tangible actions that can be taken.

West Sacramento On-Demand: Mobility for All

Problem

West Sacramento On-Demand was developed as an early implementation item of the City’s Mobility Action Plan, which aims to enhance transit, create multi-modal hubs, and leverage smart technology investments. In recent years, transit ridership has declined while costs have risen and the bus simply hasn’t competed with the expediency of other modes. Mounting community feedback demanded more convenient transit options. Concurrently, residents in the City’s transit-oriented Riverfront remained reluctant to give up personal cars due to a lack of transit alternatives, resulting in parking demand challenges. West Sacramento was also concerned about impacts of limited mobility on a growing senior population, like social isolation.

Solution

West Sacramento On-Demand brings convenience and a high quality user experience to the previously underserved or transit dependent, while preserving critical social functions of public transit by safeguarding accessibility across ages, incomes and abilities. Via’s state-of-the-art technology balances speed of service with optimized vehicle occupancies, using a smart algorithm to predict demand and pick up multiple passengers along the way. Using “virtual bus stops”, riders walk up to 500 feet to meet their vehicle, but curb-to-curb and wheelchair accessible service remains available for those who need it. By offering rides for just $3.50, or $1.75 for seniors and disabled riders, the service improves access to critical daily amenities.

Building Ready Multnomah

Problem

Solution

A Wide Road and Sturdy Guardrails for Driverless Cars

Problem

Solution

Growth and Progress Through Public-Private Partnerships

Problem

Solution

Schools as Centers of Sustainability

Problem

Solution

West Sacramento On-Demand: Mobility for All

Problem

Solution

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