tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3674583748168404488.post9138929918437590892..comments2024-03-03T23:38:54.207-05:00Comments on NEOtrans: A transportation tale of two cities – and statesKen Prendergasthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05787375721927320408noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3674583748168404488.post-76388325048555597542011-01-10T00:37:07.099-05:002011-01-10T00:37:07.099-05:00This is a great blog and gives info that contradic...This is a great blog and gives info that contradicts some of the misinformation that our new Gov. Kasich and friends have circulated to derail (deliberate pun)high speed rail in Ohio. In today's (Jan.9th) Plain Dealer (Forum section) there are three responses to last Sunday's (Jan.2) Brent Larkins very misinformed column bashing the 3-C corridor.Keep up the good work and help get us into the 21st Century along with neighboring states!Ede Marchhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12044937183283730745noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3674583748168404488.post-13150670862478745442011-01-09T23:29:54.148-05:002011-01-09T23:29:54.148-05:00Thanks, and thank you for your response. I have a ...Thanks, and thank you for your response. I have a pretty solid baseline figure that the cost of mowing along Interstate highways (not including other divided non-Interstate highways) is about $16.8 million ($16,828,826) per year. I learned of this data two years ago....<br /><br />The City of Akron and ODOT District 4 joined together in a pilot program in 2008 to end the practice of lawn-mowing along the 25 miles of expressways in the city. Instead, the city and ODOT planted hearty shrubs, perennials, trees and ground cover to replace high-maintenance fescue which includes lawn, turf and pasture grass types.<br /><br />Lawn-mowing along 25 miles of expressways in Akron cost $267,634 per year or $10,705.36 per route mile, according to the city. The city mowing costs were reimbursed by ODOT. But the pilot program saved labor, materials, fuel, employee benefits, equipment and maintenance costs. The program also improves safety. Lawn-mowing and the use of weed trimmers around guardrails is dangerous work, with laborers working around loud equipment while standing near to lanes of fast-moving traffic and heavy trucks. Furthermore, eliminating the use of lawn-mowers also eliminates another source of carbon emissions. For more details, see http://www.ci.akron.oh.us/News_Releases/2008/0815.htm.<br /><br />Expanding this program to Interstates statewide could reap substantial savings for ODOT and even wholly fund the annual operating costs of the 3C rail service. Ohio has approximately 1,572 route miles of Interstate highways (http://www.bts.gov/publications/state_transportation_statistics/ohio/pdf/entire.pdf).<br /><br />The per-route mile lawn-mowing cost data noted earlier suggests the state could save about $16.8 million per year in lawn-mowing expense. A side benefit is that Ohio Interstates will be more visually attractive with the presence of more diverse yet lower-maintenance plantings along them.Ken Prendergasthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05787375721927320408noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3674583748168404488.post-88798261613618299002011-01-09T18:36:00.882-05:002011-01-09T18:36:00.882-05:00Excellent post and analysis. Thanks for sharing. I...Excellent post and analysis. Thanks for sharing. I've seen the point about the interstate mowing budget before. Is that just flowery hyperbole to make a point, or do we actually know what the budget is for highway mowing in Ohio?Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10881935503810093862noreply@blogger.com