Planner’s Notes

Inspired by Dan Reicher, CEO Google.org, and Matt Cloyd ‘10-SLC, I think we should consider converting some of Dartmouth’s vehicles to electric or when we’re buying a new vehicle- buy an electric plug-in.  We should take advantage of the north side of Dewey Field lot with it’s south-facing slopes and install an array of solar panels adjacent to all of those empty parking spaces.  It’s near the maintenance building and for those employees needing to use a college vehicle but not located in the north part of campus, shuttles already serve the Dewey Lot.  How cool to reduce Dartmouth’s GHG generated by its fleet! 

October parking lot counts show a marked increase in the number of empty spaces.  Why are Dewey Field and Thompson more empty this fall than for the previous 4 years?  Suggestions include change in driving habits - more people are riding the bus, 4 new vanpools since August, less employees on the main campus…why do you think the vacancy rates are up?

Thought this YouTube link from the Congress of New Urbanism provided a good summary of the role of transportation in our communities.  Do you think it’s really possible to reduce in half the number of vehicle miles travelled by a typical American in 22 years?  It’s called the 2030 Communities Campaign.