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Show Traffic congestion up and down the Wasatch Front is a daily occurrence. This problem will increase with the rapid urban growth projected for the Salt Lakearea From1970to 1991 population DEFINING THE PROBLEM ace ONESOLUTION: RideInstead of Drive, It’s Easy (RIDE) in Salt Lake County and South Davis Countygrewby 62 %and employment greweven faster b 106%, It is projected that by201 the Salt Lake area will experiencea 48.8% population growth and a 59.2%growth in the number of cars on the road. While theidea of growth is welcomed by many, it brings with it unwelcome problems: traffic congestion, increased air pollution, urban/suburban sprawl, and feeling less safe in our neighborhoods. Growth in travel The Middle Tennessee Regional Transportation Authority (RTA) has imple- mented a regional ridesharing program which hassuccessfully removed single-occupant vehicles from the road and reduced congestion and air pollution. The RIDE program provides hi or those who starting vanpools, and a guaranteed ride program for commuters who have to stay at worklate or leave early in case of an emergency. The program also includes 12 park-and-ride fuel vehicles are Salt Lake City 1 2015 159,427 175,322 574,479 919,059 76,317 117.051 810,223 1,205,749 % Growth 10.0% 60.0% 53.4% 48.8% 1990 2015 97,137 106,806 353,317 615,752 47,265 74,442 497,719 792,790 % Growth 10.0% 74.3% 57.5% 59.2% Cars Statistics from the Wasatch Front Regional Council According to Governor Mike Leavitt, “Our air todayis cleaner thanit wasten years ago because we drive cleaner auto mobiles. But growth is accom panied by more cars, so we must continue working to pre vent pollution. With the increase in traffic numbers, the very character of many around our urban areas. Motor vehicles create 50 to 70%of air pollution problems in metropol- betweentransportation and the the number of vehicles on the options somecitizens are con- impact air quality in and eo cnee road or using clean burning alternative ‘Envision Utah’ survey conducted in February of 1999? As more and more people become adverselyaffected by the air we breathe, the concern increases. Air pollutants given off by the automobiles on ftah’s roads and highways negatively itan areas. wil sidering, Did you know improving air quality wasthesingle issue deemed most important in the lots, a high-occupancy vehicle (ies) lane ona focal interstate 1-65), and a continuously ing transit service at a exceed the growth in the physical infrastructure—the number of lanesof streets and highways. Vehicles cause over 50%of the air pollution along the WasatchFront. Cutting back on TRANSPORTATION CHOICES IMPACT QUALITY OFLIFE The passage of the Clean Air Act Amendments in 1990 by the federal government recognized this strong connection environment. These amendments require states to improve air quality. The Salt Lake City County Environmental Health Department, working with Keating Technologies, has installed advanced emissions testing equipment. The new i will help Salt Lake reachits clean air goals. We can see changesin Salt Lake County. According to data from the Salt Lake City/County Health Department, ‘Salt Lake County exceeded the EPA ozone standard on 10 daysin July of 1998. In July of 1999, it was exceeded on only 3 days. Because so manyfactors playarole in creating ozonelev- els, it is difficult to knowif this reduction was due to actions people are taking, better weather conditions, or a combination of different factors. Determining air quality is a complex issue. ——— Did You Know? 98%of COz generated in the U.S. comes from the production and con- sumptionof energy. neighborhoods seems to be changing. Bigger roads come closer and closer to homes and bringattendant safety problems both during and after construc tion, Just getting to and from school has become a safety issue for many Utah school children. If we enlarge a highway builda bike path, or implement a light rail service, we impact the quality of the land, water andair aroundus, Our environ: ment and natural surroundings are affected by the transportation decisions we make. »® |